Lorain County Community College sustainability initiatives

Submitted by Lora DiFranco on July 3, 2008 - 2:38pm.
Posted in

Curriculum

LCCC just received preliminary approval (5/14/08) from the Ohio Board of Regents for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Alternative Energy Technology -Wind Turbine Major
LCCC’s University Partnership has initiatives to offer two degrees from Bowling Green State University; Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science, and Bachelors of Science in Environmental Policy & Analysis.
BIOG 155 Introductions to Ecology: includes civic engagement and service learning
BIOG 196 Environmental Monitoring: offers an alternative lab-based science for both majors and non-science majors

Administrative Committees

Green Campus Task Force Committee
Alternative Energy Subcommittee- will coordinate with the Engineering Technologies Division which will be offering courses in wind turbine technology; will be looking to promote other forms of alternative energy
Gardening Committee

Green Building

The College’s recently completed Entrepreneurship Innovation Center building has achieved LEED sliver rating and was the first LEED certified building in Lorain County.
The Library Community Resource Center building, currently underway, is planned to achieve at least a LEED silver rating.
Any new construction projects will be designed and built to LEED standards.
Building renovations are being designed and built with LEED in mind but we are not trying to achieve a particular LEED Rating.

Purchasing

All cleaning supplies used on campus are “Green Seal” approved environmentally friendly products.
Paper hand towels used across campus are made up of 100% recycles content.
Park benches and picnic tables recently acquired for campus are made from 100% recycles plastic materials

Energy

The campus is starting to develop a strategic energy plan
New construction projects will have de-centralizing HVAC systems from the large central boiler and chiller plant to improve operating efficiency and flexibility of operations.
All new energy equipment and systems are “Energy Star” rated.
An automation system was recently added to the central boiler and chiller plant to more closely match equipment operations to actual load conditions.
A total lighting system retrofit has been completed
A solar hot water system will be installed during the renovation of the College Center building
Heat recovery devices in the boiler plant are used to pre-heat water. These devices will be used to pre-heat or pre-cool air for ventilating the renovated Library Community Resource Center and HPER buildings.

Food

The new Spitzer Conference Center Kitchen will be using energy efficient equipment.
There was a 25% reduction in waste from switching from folded hand towels to rolled hand towels.
As the campus replaces refrigeration’s systems for food storage, they are switching from water cooled systems to air cooled systems saving millions of gallons of water over the life of the equipment.

Grounds

Transportation

Recycling

LCCC recycles all paper and cardboard waste from across campus. Abitibi bins will be installed on campus soon.
The campus recycles the following materials: pop bottles, cans, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, waste oil and scrap metals.

Events

Student Group(s)

Environmental Club - The Environmental Club’s purpose is to engage in activities to conserve and sustain the environment on LCCC’s campus and in the community. The Environmental Club will be actively involved on campus and in the community with activities such as “Pitch-in” week, which helps keep local areas clean, and “Public Lands Day,” which celebrates the preserved and we still have today; along with other local environmental and sustainability activities.

Has the President of the College signed the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment?
Yes

Contact

David J. Cummins, Vice President of Administrative Services/Treasurer, 440-366-4051, dcummins@lorainccc.edu

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