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Green Buildings
Going Green with Buildings
There are many ways to define 'green building.' The Green Building Resource Guide defines green building materials and products as having at least one of the following characteristics: nontoxic; recycled content; resource efficient; long life cycle; or, environmentally conscious. Some materials and products have more of these characteristics than others and are, therefore, considered "greener". Green products can not only create a healthier indoor air quality for people, but many products have recycled content that reduces waste and environmental pollution.
Some green products or materials may cost more than traditional processes. However, beyond just using environmentally friendly products, green building can easily save money and energy through innovative and smart planning. It recognizes the surrounding natural processes, such as orientation to the sun and its potential for natural lighting and passive heating and cooling.
Read more about building green here:
As MBA students you don't have to know how to construct the building; you need to know how to construct the case.
Green buildings present schools with a number of positive benefits, such as substantial long-term cost savings, positive publicity, increased interest from incoming students, and additional support from alumni. Long-term cost savings is likely the best selling point for most of your institutions, but adding the support of your classmates and alumni, and highlighting the external attention your program will receive, are also crucial elements for gaining support and credibility.
As the MBA students at the University of Michigan said to their administration, "you can be the last to build the old way, or among the first to build the new way." These students fought the challenges of two separate budgets (one for initial development and one for facility upkeep) but through demonstrated student interest and a solid business case around cost savings, University of Michigan MBA students will enjoy a beautiful green building for years to come. E-mail us at greening@netimpact.org for more information on Michigan's successful program. These resources include: a sample petition, LEED buildings in Michigan, talking points for LEED, and a letter to their Dean.
Is your school planning to construct new buildings?
1) Yes? You could compare the costs and benefits of a green building versus a building of similar size and quality constructed in a traditional way. Use the links below for help contacting architects and builders in your area for a cost comparison. Compare the initial increase in cost associated with building green to the savings in energy over the short and long term. If possible, use our resources and attempt to quantify the non-energy saving benefits of green building, such as health and well being of students and the longevity of your institution.
2) No? Another option for green building is the retrofitting of older buildings. You do not need to build new buildings to build green. Some options for retrofitting include: installing new energy-efficient light bulbs, replacing old windows, or using timers on lights and appliances.
3) No? If your campus is not expanding at the moment, you could create a general business case for green building to present to the Dean and Board of your school. By presenting an effective case for green building, your school can adopt it in their master-plan, ensuring that expansion in the future will be more sustainable.
- Buildings and Climate Change (.pdf) - A report from the United Nations Environment Programme (www.unep.org)
- Making the Business Case (.pdf) from the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org) -10 business arguments for green buildings
- USGBC Research (www.usgbc.org) - provides extensive research material on the financial benefits to green building
- AASHE -Green Building Resources (www.aashe.org) - from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for Campus Greening Representatives (see CGI Rep Guide for log-in information)
- Green Buildings and the Bottom Line (.pdf) (www.bdcnetwork.com) - article from Building Design and Construction - Learn more about the state of green building in the institutional, industrial, and commercial sectors, and the policies and economics that support it.
- LEED Initiatives in Governments and Schools (.pdf) (www.usgbc.org) - read more about local policies in place to support green building projects from the USGBC
| August-September: Assess your campus |
| October: Form your team, compare your campus, and pick your project. Determine whether your school has plans to construct new buildings. If not, examine options for retrofitting older buildings or the need for LEED certification standards in your masterplan. |
| November-December: Use the resources above and through Net Impact to compile background information for the project: what other campuses have done, speak with the campus facilities and sustainability offices, and determine why this makes sense for your campus. Contact Net Impact (greening@netimpact.org) with any questions or for added assistance. |
| January-February: Present your project to your dean and key administration members, provide advantages of green buildings. Focus on long term cost savings and competitive business school trends. |
| February-May: Form a student advisory committee, assist in the development of the plan through ongoing participation. |
| April-May: Educate your student body about your efforts and accomplishments with Green Building and other potential opportunities for them to be involved with campus greening. |
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