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USF CAMPUSES: Making the World A Greener Place

The Initiatives that USFSP is Taking to Lead the Green

Movement on Campuses and in The Community

Contributors

LEVI NIENDORF

SUMMER CARNLEY

PATRICIA CALVO JASCHKE

ENC3250.791F13

Dr. Francis Tobbienne, Jr.

November 29, 2013


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Executive SummaryThis paper provides a look into the

initiatives for environmental and

sustainable living at the University of South

Floridas St Petersburg campus. It also

researches examples of connections

between the school, local business

partnerships, and the city of the community

it serves. Topics of school projects include

the proposal and building of green

buildings, student committees, and various

SGEF proposals. Areas researched are

curriculum, recycling and waste

management, greenhouse gas emissions,

transportation, water, green building,

energy and community. These proposals

include the Race for the Watts event and

future project presentations. This paper

also explores the relationship with the

schools community through Duke Energys

SunSense grant program. The goal of this

paper is to highlight the universitys green

impact on its campus as well as the

community.


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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 2

Curriculum ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

Student Green Energy Fund .......................................................................................................................... 4

Recycling and Waste Management .............................................................................................................. 5

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ........................................................................................................................... 6

Transportation .............................................................................................................................................. 6

Clean Water .................................................................................................................................................. 7

Green Buildings ............................................................................................................................................. 8

Energy ........................................................................................................................................................... 8

USFSP Community Partnerships ................................................................................................................... 8

Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 8

Glossary of Terms.......................................................................................................................................... 9

Annotated Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 11

Works Cited ................................................................................................................................................. 13


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INTRODUCTIONThe following report is intended to

highlight the projects or initiatives thatthe University of South Florida has

undertaken to become more

environmentally friendly. The report

discusses details of the past, current and

future projects that are intended to

reduce the schools impacts on the

environment. The university as a whole

has undergone some level of changes

and each campus runs independently

while at the same time cooperatively to

achieve its goals. This report focuses

primarily on the St Petersburg campus

and immediate area. It is the intent of this report to identify both the successful projects and

those that did not perform as well, so that future efforts can be directed toward the programs

that have the potential to provide the greatest benefits. The purpose of this report is not to

convince anyone of whether or not these initiatives should be undertaken, but rather to inform

the reader of what can be done, or what should continue to be done in the future.

It is also intended to educate students and members of the community on what they can do toget involved. It is no secret that individuals, businesses and organizations have a growing

concern regarding sustainability. One thing is for sure if nothing changes, than everything stays

the same, and the impacts to the earth could be irreparable.

There are many issues that impact our environment. The University of South Florida has set in

its vision the design and building of sustainable environmental responsibility. It is envisioned

that the university will develop partnerships throughout the communities that it serves to

strengthen its initiatives and improve innovations.

The University of South Florida began its initiatives in sustainable environmental programs long

ago. Since its inception the university has increased its initiatives from simple changes to more

substantial and far reaching changes. The creation of task forces and committees has helped to

develop the efforts and focus of the schools initiatives. Areas of focus are curriculum, recycling

and waste management, greenhouse gas emissions, transportation, water, green building,


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energy and community, according to the universities sustainability report of 2007 (USF

Sustainability Steering Committee).

Early on initiatives included planting trees and

changing out light bulbs to reduce consumption of

electricity. The university planted over 2,000 trees,

and reduced consumption of electricity, saving the

university somewhere in the neighborhood of $10

million (Patel College of Global Sustainability). The

initiatives have since been expanded to include much

larger projects such as LEED certified construction

and renovation of buildings including landscaping.

Student activities include recycling programs, educating the community and businesses about

their initiatives, reducing poverty by improving environmental, social and economicsustainability, both locally and globally. There are several student groups, who are actively

involved with these initiatives, such as the student environmental association, students in free

enterprise, engineers for a sustainable world and others (Patel College of Global Sustainability).

Curriculum

The University has created the first College

of Global Sustainability. Although other

colleges have provided curriculum in

sustainability USF is the first to include the

global designation, according to a report

School of Global Sustainability Proposal

written in 2009 (University of South

Florida). The college focuses on providing

education to students that further the

sustainability efforts through collaborative

research, education and community

involvement. Some of the classes offered

from the college are the principles of

sustainability, the economics of

sustainability, keys to sustainability,

communication of the value of


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sustainability and requires internships

(Patel College of Global Sustainability). The

purpose of the school is to prepare students

for work in the field of sustainable living.

Upcoming events hosted by the collegeinclude the 2014 Green Infrastructure

Conference and Florida Alternative Fuel

Vehicles Expo (Patel College of Global

Sustainability). The university has invested a

great deal into educating their students in

environmental stewardship.

Student Green Energy FundThe Student Green Energy Fund, which began in

the fall of 2011, is the primary source of financing

for the schools green initiatives. A $1 fee per

credit hour is assessed to each student every

semester. The funds collected contribute to the

financing of green projects around campuses. A

committee was formed to oversee how these

funds are put to use. The committee is comprised

of 50% students in order to ensure that the

students have a voice in how the money is used.

Students are able to propose projects to the

committee that in some way reduce energy consumption or lower greenhouse gas emissions

for instance. The committee then votes on the projects that have the most merit. Through thisprocess they have already managed to complete several projects such as solar docks being

installed around the USFSP campus for cleaner energy. Motion censored lights were installed in

the parking garage in order to conserve energy. Hybrid cars have been purchased to for school

use. A friendly computing project has been put in place, where they are utilizing recycled

material for computers. The University is also making sure that any computer parts that need to

be replaced, such as batteries, get taken to the nearest local recycling center.

SGEF is also looking towards the community for fund needs as well as inspiration. SGEF is

looking into the SunSense School Program from Duke Energy, in order to one day install solar

panels on campus. The SunSense School Program assists local schools in managing energy costs

through grants as well as installing PV systems.

St. Petersburg campus' Student Green Energy Fund committee hosts presentations for project

proposals, and current proposals include a rainwater cistern project, Phase 2 of a plan for light

replacement in the student parking garage, the addition of several water bottle refill stations on


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campus, recycling older dorm furniture, water recycling system, and the possibility of campus

electric cars. The university has done many projects around the St. Petersburg campus that are

getting us closer to that desired eco-friendly ideal.

Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF) is host

to the annual energy awareness event,

Race for the Watts. Race for the Watts is a

"race" that takes place in the St.

Petersburg Campus fitness center, in its

Green Energy Loft. All departments, clubs,

and organizations within the campus are

invited to take part in the event, which

uses SportsArt and Woodway Curve

equipment such as treadmills, purchased

by the fund, to bring awareness to carbon

reduction through reducing electricity use. Woodway Curve as well as SportsArt treadmills are

unique in that they have no motor, buttons, or plug-ins. The entire experience of using these

machines is powered by the user's own energy and pace. The end result is a gym that not only

offsets power costs, but provides clean and sustainable exercise equipment for students on

campus. The goal of this race is to exercise, or "run" miles and generate watts on the green

equipment, spreading awareness of carbon-free independent energy sources.

Recycling and Waste ManagementRecycling and waste management is incorporated into many

aspects of the schools efforts. From the construction of

buildings to placing recycling bins around the campus,

recycling and waste management has been incorporated

into the master plan of the campus. Recently, the SGEF

approved the proposal Dont Be Trashy. This proposal

included to placement of 20 recycling bins, made 100% from

recycled materials and to include the SGEF logo on them,

strategically on the St Petersburg campus. The maintenance

staff has agreed to weigh the collections in order to

measure the amount of trash and estimate the ROI. This

project is intended to lessen the amount of waste that

makes it to our landfills and also to increase awareness of

the SGEF. The project is still fairly new so no numbers have


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been made available to this point. USF dining halls abandoned the use of Styrofoam boxes in

2010, eliminating hundreds of thousands of boxes from making their way to our landfills. A

recent approval of water filling stations has resulted in the installation of 9 stations around the

St Petersburg campus. The locations are 2 upstairs in the Davis building, 1 downstairs in the

Bayboro Hall, 1 upstairs in the Bayboro Hall, 1 on the second floor of the library, 1 in the PeterWallace Building, 1 in the gym, and 1 upstairs in Coquina Hall. These fill stations count every

bottle saved in order to measure the results of this initiative. SGEF water bottles are to be

distributed around the campus to create awareness of this project (University of South Florida

St Petersburg). These are just some of the ways the St Petersburg campus is reducing their

waste and increasing recycling.

Greenhouse Gas EmissionsThe University of South Florida St Petersburg has put in place aset of standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the

next five years by reducing its use of fossil fuels and conserving

energy. The school conserves energy by the use of solar powered

charging stations, having sensors installed in classrooms that

turn on and off automatically, changing out incandescent bulbs

with more efficient LED and CFL bulbs, and many other ways.

Upon the signing of the American College and University

Presidents Climate Commitment on April 12, 2009, by William

Hogarth, the University agreed to take certain steps to improve

sustainability. These commitments include first, to eliminate operational greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions; second, to provide the education, research, and community engagement to enable the rest

of society to do the same; and third, to publicly report progress on an annual basis, according to the

ACUPCC Implementation Guide found on The American College and University Presidents Climate

Commitment website. Currently there are 679 signatories to date. The University of South Florida St

Petersburgs Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report can be found online at

http://www.acad.usf.edu/Office/Strategic-Initiatives/Sustain-A-Bull-USF.htm (University of South

Florida).

TransportationA car sharing program known as WeCar has

been implemented on the St Petersburg

campus of the University of South Florida.

This program began on the Tampa campus,

and entails cheaper short term and daily

rates for car rentals. This program includes
http://www.acad.usf.edu/Office/Strategic-Initiatives/Sustain-A-Bull-USF.htmhttp://www.acad.usf.edu/Office/Strategic-Initiatives/Sustain-A-Bull-USF.htmhttp://www.acad.usf.edu/Office/Strategic-Initiatives/Sustain-A-Bull-USF.htm


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two vehicles, at the moment, that are kept

in the parking garage on campus. These cars

are fuel efficient vehicles that are for use by

students and faculty, and will eventually be

offered to the general public. The rates are

cheaper than what would be availabledirectly from enterprise rent a car, which is

who provides the vehicles, and is available

to anyone over the age of 18 years of age

rather than being restricted to ages 21 and

up. This allows students who live on campus

to not have to have their own

transportation. They must sign up for a

membership into the program, but then

may use the vehicles according to the terms

of the program. This is a fairly new program

having been officially launched on February

12, 2013 according to the Tampa Bay Times

(Gartner). It is still too early to determine if

it will be successful. The University of South

Florida St Petersburg has also installed

vehicle charging stations in the Gold lot.

These stations allow for priority parking

being right near the STG building.

Based upon a lack of available resources wemake the assumption that there is not

currently a bike sharing program or

agreement between the university and

PSTA, the local bus service, to provide

discounts to current students. These are

areas that the University could definitely

improve. The implementation of a bike

sharing program, and providing discounts

above the typical student discounts to USF

St Petersburg students, for bus passes,

would help to reduce students needs for

private transportation, and undoubtedly

lower emissions.

Clean WaterAlthough not directly related to the St Petersburg campus of USF, there is an initiative currently

underway that would help to detect unhealthy amounts of bacteria in water. The idea is that

when a water source is a potential harm to people it can be detected and more quickly

remedied. Here in Florida we have multiple beach closings due to unusually high amounts of

bacteria in the water usually related to the dumping of treated waste water into the bays, lakes

and rivers. It is opined that these beach closures impact businesses and communities.

Therefore, it would be a benefit to be able to deal with these issues quickly and be able to

reopen the beaches as soon as possible. Also this initiative could help to detect contaminants

on our food from water cleansing. Foods that have been

contaminated would never reach our dinner tables! Having access

to clean water is essential to life and something that we take for

granted here in the US.

Other technologies being worked on would create fuels from the

byproducts of treating waste water. This would lessen our

dependency on fossil fuels and is a sustainable, renewable energy

source. These initiatives recently gained the attention of the EPA

according to a story printed by the Tampa Tribune (Stockfisch).


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Green BuildingsCampuses have been designed while keeping sustainability top of mind. From the buildings to

the landscaping no stone has been left unturned. One of the greatest impacts that a universityhas on the environment is the use of the actual physical buildings. They are used a majority of

the time throughout the year, and cost a great deal to maintain and operate. This is exactly why

USF has put forth a substantial amount of effort and capital toward reducing the effects that

their campus buildings have on the environment.

Recycled materials and materials from within

close proximity have been used to reduce

transportation. Buildings do not use certain non-

renewable resources like granite. When planning

new buildings it is done in a way that provides the

greatest use of natural lighting and that creates

maximum exposure for things such as solar

panels, which are used to heat the water. Special

paints are used to improve indoor air quality. The

landscaping is drought tolerant, so that watering

them is not necessary. Lights turn on and off

automatically when people enter and leave a room. These are just some of the ways that USF

buildings reduce the consumption of resources. Two of our buildings, the Science and

Technology Building and the new University Student Center here at the USFSP campus are LEEDCertified. LEED certifications are awarded by the Green Building Council for buildings that are

constructed meeting a certain criteria. USF has made a commitment to the green movement by

mandating all new buildings and renovated buildings meet the LEED certification criteria

(Chachere). Since its construction many other buildings are being constructed, or have been

constructed with similar concepts,and with sustainability at the forefront of their designs.

EnergyEnergy consumption has been discussed

throughout this paper and is the most

important aspect to the green movement.

With more than seven billion people in the

world all being driven by the consumption

of energy it is easy to understand why this
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=T8wt_HBSWchKqM&tbnid=7YUj3XPj2TplgM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/financialservices/utilities/compare-gas-and-electricity-pri/9140750/Green-energy-tariffs-provide-cheap-energy-and-help-the-environment.html&ei=l_qUUoniMYHfkQeWiYD4Cg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.b2I&psig=AFQjCNHymxyG4fSCs1Qmm5GpfHsar4OThw&ust=1385581196521513


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initiative the hardest to tackle. Many of the

projects funded by the SGEF are aimed at

reducing energy consumption. The

University has also received grants from the

local power company, Duke Energy, forvarious projects. From lighting retrofits, to

self-sustaining work out equipment, solar

charging stations, green building initiatives,

and more, a great deal of resources has

gone to this principle! In the future I would

look for more solar and wind powered

energy to be generated by campuses, in

general, and certainly here on the StPetersburg campus. Here in Florida our

greatest natural resources are sunlight,

water and wind.

USFSP Community Partnerships

The City of St. Petersburg has been a green city for many years, and has provided ideas and

inspiration for USFs local campus. The goals of the city and the university are aligned when it

comes to sustainability. Currently, the city is working on community gardens and urban farming

to promote sustainability as well as local food sourcing. As a campus located in the heart of the

city, USFSP will be affected by this ambitious project along with the rest of the community.

It is not apparent through our research that the university and the city have worked together

on projects to this point. This is an opportunity for the university to reach out to the city and

provide assistance in the projects that are underway and proposed. The university is an integral

part of what the city of St Petersburg has to offer and attracts many new students, businesses

and full time residents to the area. We hope to see more collaboration between the universityand the city in the future.


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ConclusionThis paper has explored USFSPs sustainability and green projects historically, presently, and

those proposed for the future. It explored the history of the green movement in both theschool and the city of St. Petersburg. It has discussed projects in detail, as well as introduced

important student led committees in charge of making campus environmental decisions. It has

examined the communitys influence on projects through company grants, and presented ways

students can get involved. Although it is possible to measure the successes and failures of

certain initiatives such as savings in operational cost from green buildings, weight of trash

recycled and the number of plastic water bottles saved through refill stations, the results are

not widely published and distributed to the community. Any initiative that is carried out has

been voted on by committee, and presented with an estimated ROI; this means that only the

most promising initiatives are undertaken. Many of the initiatives once the investment has

been made are relatively inexpensive to maintain. Regardless of the effectiveness they are

creating awareness and this has a positive impact on the thoughts and actions of students and

faculty.


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Glossary of TermsSunSense - A Duke Energy program that offers incentives for solar energy installations

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) - is a certification for energy efficient

building designs awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council

University of South Florida (USF) - is an institution of higher learning

University of South Florida St Petersburg (USFSP) - A campus of the USF school

Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF)A fee charged to currently enrolled students to finance

green initiatives approved by committee

Photovoltaic (PV) - of, relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant

energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances

Return on Investment (ROI) -A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an

investment or to compare the efficiency of a number of different investments

Light Emitting Diode (LED) - a semiconductor diode that emits light when a voltage is

applied to it and that is used especially in electronic devices

Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) - also called compact fluorescent light, energy-saving light,

and compact fluorescent tube, is a flourescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent lamp

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) - is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the

thermal infrared range

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) - is a high-

visibility effort to address global climate disruption undertaken by a network of colleges and

universities that have made institutional commitments to eliminate net greenhouse gas

emissions from specified campus operations

WeCarCar sharing program at University of South Florida operated by Enterprise Rent a Car

STG BuildingScience and Technology Building is a LEED certified building on the University of

South Florida St Petersburg campus

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) - provides public transportation for Pinellas County,

Florida


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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - is an agency of the US Federal Government, which

was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and

enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress


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Annotated BibliographyUSF News Channel. Current News. University of South Florida, Dec. 2012. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

This is the official site for the entire USF school system. It hosts all green campus

accolades and is the broadest source of information for anything to do with special

reports, videos, and media contacts.

McGarigal, Daniel. University of South Florida. (2013) Student Green Energy Fund. University

of South Florida, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

The official site for the Student Green Energy Fund. It includes past projects, current

project monitoring, and future project proposals.

Patel College of Global Sustainability. (2013). Office of Sustainability. Retrieved November 10,

2013, from University of South Florida: http://psgs.usf.edu/usf-office-of-sustainability/

The office of sustainability is a college within the University of South Florida. This site is

a great source of information regarding the history, programs, and initiatives of the

school regarding green projects.

City of St Petersburg. (2013, July 31). Green City. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from The

Official Site of the City of St Petersburg, FL: http://www.stpete.org/green/

This site is the official site of the city of St Petersburg. It provides great information

about the cities green programs in city government, energy efficiency, renewable energy,

water conservation, recycling, and building codes. This site has proven to be invaluable

as a resource.

Cash, J. (2010, May 05). USF One of Nation's Top Green Colleges. University of South Florida -

Provost Office, p. 1.

The article is about USFs inclusion into The Princeton Reviews Guide to 286 Green

Colleges. It outlines and summarizes the activities that USF is taking, which earned them

this esteemed honor.

Temple, Liisa. "Solar Power Plant Coming to USF." n.d.: n. pag. Web.

.

This article is about USF staff trying to improve the environment by making solar energy

more affordable. They are trying to make a plant of solar panels at USF.


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University of South Florida Sustainability Initiative Report.Rep. USF, 13 Oct. 2009. Web.

This report informs readers on how USF plans to improve their sustainability and how

they have already started to do so. The report mentions the expo that the university has

participated in order to get involved. It does also mention internal changes that they have

undergone in the student living area and many more.

"USFSP Should Sign Commitment to Go Green: Guidelines for Making Campus More Eco-

friendly Could Push the University." The Crows Nest. N.p., 25 Jan. 2012. Web.

This is the school newspaper article for USFSP students where they inform students of

what should still be done and what has been done to be green. They talk about signing on

to agree to reduce greenhouse emission which is great. The article says what the school

can improve on but also does not discredit what we have already accomplished.


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Works CitedChachere, Vickie. ""Green" Patel Center Opens at USF." University of South Florida News 21 January

2010.

Gartner, Lisa. Tampa Bay Times. 12 February 2013. 26 November 2013

.

GWSC Campus Staff. "Hillsborough Community College Florida." 2012. District Campus News. 24

November 2013 .

Patel College of Global Sustainability. Events. 2013. 24 November 2013 .

. History. 2013. 20 November 2013 .

. "Patel School of Global Sustainability." 2013. M.A. Program Description. 24 November 2013

.

. Student Initiatives. 2013. 20 November 2013 .

Stockfisch, Jerome. The Tampa Tribune Online. 28 March 2013. 25 November 2013

.

The Office for Sustainability at St Petersburg College. "SPC building named Project of the Year by USGreen Building Council." 28 October 2011. Sustainable SPC. 24 November 2013

.

University of South Florida. Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. 2013. 26 November 2013

.

University of South Florida St Petersburg. SGEF. 2013. 22 November 2013

.

USF Sustainability Steering Committee. "University of South Florida." 2013. Academic Affairs. 20

November 2013 .

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