Sustainability
Sustainability is creating a campus that is timeless, maintainable and flexible; incorporating responsible use of fiscal, environmental and human resources; and having minimal environmental impact.
Green Build and University Design Standards
The university is committed to developing new and renovated buildings that use resources efficiently and create healthy environments. Each new building or renovation with a $4 million budget (or more) will strive for U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver-level certification or higher.
Energy
Ohio State is committed to improving energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption and investigating cost effective options for use of renewable energy sources.
Purchasing
Eco-friendly products are purchased whenever possible. Ohio State’s Stores offers products and services for green purchasing; all copy paper must contain 30 percent post-consumer recycled content.
Waste Management, Recycling and Composting
Disposal of materials represents an increasing cost to the environment and the university. As a result, the university has adopted a goal of 40 percent waste reduction by 2010. Programs include All-In-One recycling and food and landscaping waste composting.
Transportation
Campus Area Bus Service (CABS), car sharing and car/van pooling will continue to be an integral part of our transportation and parking strategy. Student fees include a bus pass for unlimited access to local mass transit. Anti-idling guidelines have been adopted, and the university’s onsite fueling station dispenses only soy biodiesel.
Water Usage
Low-water flush valves and flow restrictors will be used in all applicable areas. Landscape design will work to utilize local plant life that requires minimal maintenance, and rainfall monitoring will be utilized to minimize irrigation.
Building Energy Management and Utility Metering
Utility metering provides essential data for energy management; energy audits help identify opportunities for energy conservation.
American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)
President E. Gordon Gee signed this pledge in 2008, committing the university to the goal of climate neutrality. The commitment reads, “Universities that exert leadership in addressing climate change will stabilize and reduce their long-term energy costs … and increase the support of alumni and local communities.”
presidentsclimatecommitment.org
President’s Council on Sustainability
President Gee created this council, comprised of students, faculty and staff, to help coordinate the university’s efforts on behalf of environmental sustainability. The council will serve as an overarching steering committee for campus issues surrounding sustainability.
President's Council on Sustainability
