The fight for the NCAA championship title may be over for men’s basketball, but Oregon has been recognized for another achievement. The Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C., has named the university one of the top eight most energy-efficient campuses in the NCAA tournament.
Other schools on the Energy Efficient Eight list included Duke University, Syracuse University and the University of California, Berkeley.
“It’s always an honor to be recognized by others for our efforts,” said Christine Thompson, planning associate for the campus planning and real estate department.
Thompson was responsible for helping develop and execute the Oregon Model for Sustainable Development that was adopted in July 2011 and is geared toward saving and improving energy and water use, as well as promoting sustainable habits among individuals on campus.
The Alliance to Save Energy highlighted some of the results of these goals, stating that the UO saved $98,000 after swapping out 33,000 T12 lightbulbs for T8s that save more energy. The organization also mentioned that the UO requires all new buildings to be 35 percent more energy efficient than the Oregon Energy Code. This requirement is 15 percent higher than the internationally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
The Lillis Business Complex and the Living Learning Center were also noted for their use of solar energy and light timers.
“There’s an expectation that the University of Oregon be a leader in this field, so it’s a point of pride that we’re able to meet these expectations,” said Steve Mital, sustainability director for campus planning and real estate.
Mital also said that a local, national and global reputation as a green institution would attract faculty and students with similar outlooks on sustainability and hopefully fuel the success of campus goals.
“Since the 1970s, the university and the state of Oregon have been national leaders in establishing sustainable practices,” said Thompson. “Ten years ago, the university became one of the first universities in the nation to develop and adopt a plan for sustainable development of its campus.”
Thompson said that as a member of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, the university has implemented its own Climate Action Plan that was approved by former president Richard Lariviere in 2010.
Down the road, Mital hopes to see more students involved in sustainability projects that go beyond the classroom. One example of this is the Community for Ecological Leaders offered as a living option to those in the dorms. Students can go on orientation trips to locations such as the coast and farms to learn about sustainability and attend lectures throughout the year.
For now, Mital is preparing for the Emerald Ecochallenge that will take place from April 15 to 22 during Earth Week. Participants choose one or more challenges they would like to tackle, with the suggestions ranging from simply turning off all lights when you’re not using them to volunteering at places like Food for Lane County.