Spring has arrived – and this year's favorite color on Texas campuses is – GREEN!
by Mary Scott Nabers
CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
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- McClennan Community College in Waco has several new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified buildings. Its Emergency Services Education Center includes landscaping that doesn’t require sprinkler systems and has an energy-efficient reflective roof. It features a 40,000-gallon rainwater system that collects rain for non-drinking uses. It also includes a photovoltaic solar array that will generate more than 12 percent of the building's electric needs.
- The University of Texas at El Paso saves more than $2.5 million a year as a result of "green" efforts. Xeriscaping is encouraged as a water conservation measure and the university rewards carpooling.
- Austin Community College, in building a new 500-space parking garage, was able to divert 80 percent of construction wastes from area landfills for either reuse or recycling. An effort was made to ensure most of the construction materials came from Texas, cutting down on fuel consumption and air pollution by reducing travel for materials. And, construction supplies included 40 percent recycled materials.
- Rice University's new Duncan College, a more than 300-bed residential facility, was the university's first LEED-certified structure. It reduced energy consumption by 25 percent and water consumption by 30 percent because of a green roof covered with low-maintenance plants. That led to less need for air conditioning and heating. It also installed smart controls to shut off air conditioners automatically when windows were opened.
The University of Texas at El-Paso and the University of Texas at San Antonio are both discussing green fees. Students at the University of North Texas will vote later this month on a green fee.
These initiatives could make Texas the national leader among colleges and universities with green fees.
Support from students has been important as college officials look for ways to reduce campus carbon footprints and reduce energy costs:
Austin Community College, the Alamo Colleges, Dallas County Community College District, Temple College and the Texas State Technical College System rolled out the Green Corridor Collaborative, which focused on getting the workforce ready for careers in a "green" economy. The colleges now share their resources and expertise and are beginning to churn out a workforce that will be ready to serve this burgeoning new industry.
One of the members of the coalition - Texas State Technical College in Waco - now offers instructional courses in subjects related to clean energy - such as solar power, fuel cells, clean fuels and construction of renewable energy technology. Austin Community College not only offers courses toward an associate degree, but also continuing education for industry certification.
Students have a unique opportunity to shape the world they live in and to ensure that its resources endure for future generations. It is a task they are obviously taking very seriously.
