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Environmental standards to be followed for all major buildingsby Karen A. Grava- March 19, 2007 |
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| The Board of Trustees last week approved a requirement that all buildings costing more than $5 million must be planned, designed, constructed, renovated, and maintained according to sustainable standards and be energy and water efficient. The standards note that while constructing “green” buildings sometimes costs more, lifetime energy savings make the building more cost-efficient in the long run. The policy adopted by the trustees notes that green buildings provide an enhanced learning atmosphere for students, and a healthier environment for building occupants and visitors. It also “realizes the University’s commitment to responsible growth and environmental stewardship,” says Richard A. Miller, director of the Office of Environmental Policy. The policy requires buildings to be constructed to at least LEED Silver standards. LEED standards are developed and updated by the U.S. Green Building Council, which also verifies LEED certification when the building is completed. The Burton Family Football Complex and Mark R. Shenkman Training Center, completed last fall, are the first UConn buildings constructed to LEED standards. The University will be permitted to seek an exemption from the green building policy, provided the exemption is approved by the Buildings, Grounds, and Environment Committee of the Board of Trustees and the board itself. |
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