This September, Ball State University hosted a conference called "Greening the Campus". Although the conference title is a reference to "greening" college campuses through efficient operations and environmental awareness, it was not just attended by so-called "environmentalists." Instead, this conference brought together people from all aspects of college and university life. Facilities managers, economists, architects, journalists, business consultants, and a wide range of representatives from the academic world all came to the Midwestern community of Muncie, Indiana, to discuss one common subject: Sustainability.
So just what is sustainability? In the most basic sense, sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs: the simple principle of setting aside something now so our children and grandchildren can have all the things we enjoy. But sustainability goes beyond environmental conservation, incorporating the importance of community, equality, economics, and human welfare. In the January/February 2005 of Facilities Manager, James Sebesta defines sustainability as "a process that reduces the long-term impact on natural resources and the environment in a cost-effective and socially acceptable manner." Walter Simpson takes it one step further in the same issue of the publication in discussing sustainable development: " sustainable development occurs when economic prosperity is pursued in the context of social equity, human rights, peaceful relations among peoples, and ecological balance."
The diverse group present at the Ball State conference demonstrated that you don't have to be an environmentalist to appreciate the principles of sustainability. In fact, sustainability could be viewed as a conservative strategy with its goals of peace, prosperity, security, and social justice - the Great American Dream. These values, which we have sought for generations, are at the heart of sustainability.
So what does this have to do with Facilities Operations? Universities and colleges around the globe are leading the way to a sustainable future. As Sebesta writes: "Higher educational facilities are poised to be a leader in their communities through the development and implementation of comprehensive sustainable operations and maintenance programs." As an institution of higher education, we set an example for our local community and other communities throughout the region. As a state-funded entity, it is our duty to operate in an efficient and economically sound manner.
These are tremendous responsibilities to shoulder, but a s a facilities department, we are in the unique position to do just that. An article in the July/August 2005 issue of Facilities Manager reported that "the operations, maintenance, and capital renewal portion of the facility life cycle is the most costly and accounts for more than 95 percent of the time on the facility life cycle timeline." This equates to a considerable amount of time and money that can be put toward extending the facility life cycle and making sure that our operations have the smallest possible negative impact on the environment outdoors while creating the best possible human environment indoors. By building and operating with sustainability principles, we reduce water and energy use, avoid expensive upgrades and maintenance costs, and create a healthy, productive work environment. Quite often, this comes with the fortunate side effect of financial savings.
This all may sound a bit idealistic, but it is achievable. Many colleges and universities around the nation are already embracing sustainable practices. For example, Oberlin College in Ohio gets as much as 60% of its energy from renewable sources like wind and water. Middlebury College in Vermont supports a local economy by serving organic food from nearby farms and filling facilities with products made from wood grown in Vermont. Even larger colleges and universities such as the University of Connecticut, Arizona State, and the University of Colorado have committed to building facilities that meet rigorous environmental standards and provide a healthier indoor environment for faculty, staff, and students.
Here at the University of Kansas, we are taking steps towards sustainability through our energy performance contract, the Environmental Stewardship Program, and numerous other less publicized projects. In the coming months, I hope to highlight some of these efforts and share a few simple tips for sustainability at home and in the workplace. It may seem like a new way of thinking - and for some it may be a complete shift from the "normal" routine - but the basic values behind sustainability have always been an important part of who we are. Building from these values and applying them to even the smallest of efforts, Facilities Operations can help make sustainability a reality, and we can all play a role in "greening the campus".
