The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry took a step toward reducing its carbon footprint this month when construction began on the new environmentally friendly Gateway Building.

The $28.3 million project is part of ESF’s Climate Action Plan, which outlines 40 initiatives to create a carbon neutral campus by 2015. The project faces mixed reactions from students.

‘It’s going to be nice, but what’s the point?’ said Sarah Heald, a junior environmental science major. Heald said she did consider the Gateway Building a nice addition because it will add a gathering spot, something ESF students currently lack.

Along with the Gateway Building, ESF began construction on the college’s first dorms earlier this summer. Heald said she thought the new projects will help ESF establish its own image independent of Syracuse University.

‘I think between the Gateway Building and the new dorms, ESF is trying to create its own identity separate from SU,’ Heald said.

Jeff Johnston, a junior environmental science major, said the new construction was a continuation of ESF’s goals. He said there was already a different identity between the schools and did not foresee a change in the relationship.

‘I am pretty pumped to see the new Gateway Building being erected,’ Johnston said. ‘I think it’s great and going green is a huge trend these days.’

The Gateway Building could help showcase ESF’s message of sustainability and perhaps attract more green facilities on campus, Johnston said.

‘I see environmentally friendly practices happening all over the world,’ he said, ‘Even if it’s just minor practices like SU dining hall vegetable oil being used to power ESF’s Bio-diesel buses.’

The building is being constructed near Moon Library on the ESF campus and, according to an ESF press release, will include a 500-seat conference center, new college bookstore, gallery of the college’s Roosevelt Wild Life Collection and cafeteria. It will also feature a green roof made of native plants, an observation deck, administrative offices, fitness center and environmental monitoring systems.

The Climate Action Plan is part of the Presidents’ Climate Commitment that ESF President Neil Murphy signed and submitted in fall 2009 as part of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, according to an article published by The Daily Orange.

The Gateway Building will have a Platinum certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and produce more energy than it consumes, according to the article.

The building’s heat and power systems, fueled by wood pellets, biodiesel, natural gas and a photovoltaic array, will be twice as efficient as conventional electricity generation.

The LEED system rates buildings based on energy savings, carbon dioxide emission reduction, indoor air quality, water efficiency and responsible resource use. Platinum is the highest LEED certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Although the building will be LEED certified, Paulette Lloyd, a junior conservation biology major, said she thought ESF’s efforts could be applied more effectively in other areas on campus.

 

‘Instead of building a whole new building, we should put that money toward making existing buildings more (LEED) certifiable,’ Lloyd said. ‘There are other things you could do to be more sustainable.’

jlsiart@syr.edu

 

Published on August 29, 2010 at 12:00 pm