July 2, 2012
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University is using more and more “green” initiatives to use resources more effectively which fits in with the university’s “Vision 2025: Transforming Christian Servant Leaders” planning document.
Campbellsville University, in construction of new residence halls and in how energy is used daily, is fostering a sense of earth stewardship in all that is done on campus. One of CU’s core values is to “model servant leadership through effective stewardship of resources.”
“Campbellsville University strives to use our environmental resources wisely and to God’s glory,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU, said. “Our strategic plan calls for us to always evaluate energy consumption on campus and to develop a plan for generating greater efficiency and savings,” he said.
A new men’s residence village will be open in August and will offer the following energy initiatives: 2×6 construction allowing for better insulated walls, R40 insulation in all roof areas,high efficiency HVAC equipment, programmable thermostats, high efficiency water heaters, water saving toilets, faucets and showers heads, compact fluorescent lighting and high efficiency windows.
One of the most environmental friendly components is a complicated watershed system on the men’s villages that have had numerous environmental factors, according to Steve Morris, director of maintenance operations.
In complying with the federal clean water guidelines, the university has implemented an underground retention system, which stores approximately 10,000 gallons of water collected from run-off on campus. This provides control of water being discharged into Buckhorn Creek and also serves as water storage for the university’s irrigation system.
Marion Hall, director of special projects, said based on the water conservation plan that has been completed, the university is saving over 600,000 gallons of water monthly with the same amount saved in sewage costs. Cost is based on usage.
“Savings in all of the areas in which the plan was implemented should be around 47 percent compared to earlier usage amounts,” Hall said.
Hall and Otto Tennant, vice president for finance and administration, have worked across campus in lighting, ballast, toilets, urinals, heating and air conditioning, to provide additional energy savings.
Hall said the university is using high efficiency HVAC systems that should be saving CU about 40 percent in gas and electric costs.
He said electric costs have gone up over the last year, but CU’s usage in kilowatt- hour has gone down from 2010 to 2011 with the total kwh for 2010 at 8,304,515 compared to the 2011 usage of 8,291,620.
Hall said the reduction of 102,865 kwh or about 1 percent results in a little higher reduction in square foot percentage costs since CU increased square footage in 2011 by about 15,000 square feet.
Morris said the usage of electricity has been reduced about 5 percent in residence halls.
The use of more efficient toilets has saved about 60 percent in water usage, Hall said.
Campbellsville University has hundreds of light poles around campus to make lighting available for students and visitors.
New LED lights are being used which are producing a reduction in electricity, according to Tennant. Morris said the installation of 29 LED lights have resulted in a 41 percent reduction in electric usage for those particular lights.
Over 20 heads have been replaced around Ransdell Chapel (thanks to a generous gift from Dr. George and Marie Ransdell, Tennant said).
“We are using Sunovia lights out of Sarasota, Fla., which is the only American made LED outdoor light which uses a fraction of the electricity of other lights and lasts three to four times longer before needing to be replaced,” Tennant said.
In the area of landscaping, Rob Roberts, director of landscape development, is using paving stones instead of hard-surface materials like concrete or blacktop. The stones allow water to seep beneath the surface instead of running off into the city storm system, Tennant said.
Roberts has implemented at minimum 10,000 square feet of pervious pavement.
A new patio is being built at Montgomery Library, which will offer seating outside for students to enjoy. A new “coffee house” type environment is being built in Montgomery Library to make the library more conducive to student satisfaction. It especially will make the area suitable for commuter students and guests in general who visit the campus.
Tennant said CU is reviewing existing buildings on ways to save on energy and environmental costs.
“We are recycling cardboard, plastic, cans, etc. We also are working with our student environmental group, Green Minds, to further develop the Log Cabin Park with greenery, flowers and construction to make the area an environmental friendly group for the community,” he said.
“Our Earth Day event held at the Log Cabin Park in April featured many elementary school children coming on campus and participating in planting of flowers. This is the type of earth stewardship Campbellsville University wants to show our community that we are doing, and it’s working to save our planet.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.