Sustainability is something that many colleges pride themselves on and has become a large part for many campuses across the country in the recent years. Many of us “student aged” kids have been hearing even more about it now that colleges have jumped on the train to help make the world a better place. All across Florida you will see many Colleges and Universities, but a few only catch peoples eye as being highly influential and talked about. Three of the main ones are the University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and University of Miami. Here is how they compare to Florida Gulf Coast University.
Florida Gulf Coast University:
• Ice Thermal Air Conditioning
• Erosion control during building
• 50% more run off collection for treatment then the mandatory amount
• Limited disturbance to vegetation during construction
• Fresh-air ventilation through walkways on campus
• All buildings have sites for recycling
• Zero CFC Refrigerants
• LEED Certified buildings
• Car pooling website
• Campus shuttle
• Erosion control during building
• 50% more run off collection for treatment then the mandatory amount
• Limited disturbance to vegetation during construction
• Fresh-air ventilation through walkways on campus
• All buildings have sites for recycling
• Zero CFC Refrigerants
• LEED Certified buildings
• Car pooling website
• Campus shuttle
• Preserve biodiversity within unique habitats
• Promote responsible land use
• Preservation of wetlands on campus
• Campus wide recycling
• Car pooling website
• Campus shuttle
• Building built after February 2007 are all LEED certified
• Chilled water AC
University of Florida sustainable.uf.edu
• Encouragement of reusable cups for campus employees
• “Green Teams” in campus dining to promote less waste
Recycling and waste
Energy
Food
Maintenance
Paper
Purchasing
Water
Transportation
• Collects traditional recyclables as well as electronic parts and batteries
• LEED certification of all buildings build in 2009 or later
• Multiple student organizations to promote a “green” campus
• 50% discount on parking to those who drive hybrid cars
• UBike – offers affordable bicycles and safety equipment
• “green parking meters”
As you can see, many schools, both private and public, in the state of Florida are doing what they can to help the environment. But when compared to Florida Gulf Coast University, they stand way below the marker. Florida Gulf Coast University offers many different opportunities to support their efforts to keeping the campus clean, green, and eco-friendly while still making it accessible to everyone.
