Sustainable Campus

1. OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Working for a
GREENER
Fall 2009 - Spring 2010
Sustainable Campus
Initiative Fund Approved
Projects Report
Making a difference through sustainability

2. Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund, also known as SCIF, oversees competitive grants for
student projects focused on sustainability education and energy efficiency at the University of
“The SCIF rain gardens around the Meldrum Civil Engineering Utah. SCIF’s mission is to provide funding for real-world projects that improve the University
Building are truly examples of engineering education to of Utah’s environmental quality and make the campus more sustainable.
practice. The development of these self sustaining landscapes
was a challenge for the students, but the construction of the
SCIF is rooted in student’s engagement with environmental issues. University of Utah
gardens was an even better learning experience. The rain
gardens with their real-time monitoring system become long students voted overwhelmingly in favor of the student driven campaign to pay $2.50 of their
term experiments for generations of students and excellent tuition each semester into SCIF. This popular program gives every student the opportunity to
examples of service learning at the University of Utah. The
apply for a grant to plan and implement a sustainability project on campus.
initiative of the students and the resources of the Sustainable
Campus Initiative Fund made this project possible.”
Since the program’s inception in January 2010, SCIF has funded 15 innovative projects
Dr. Paul Tikalsky
Professor and Chair, detailed in this report.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Cover printed on 25% post consumer recycled paper. Inside pages printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper.

3. Table Of Contents
Campus Gardens…………………………………. 02
Greening The Chemistry Lab……………………. 03
Green Tee Project……………………………....... 04
Sustainable Irrigation Practices…………………. 05
Lights Out………………………………………….. 06
Net Zero Exhibit…………………………………... 07
Campus Rain Garden……………………………. 08
Rio Mesa Orchard………………………………... 09
Sill Center Power Down……………………….…. 10
Social Justice Garden..……………………….….. 11
Social Work Energy Save…………………….….. 12
Sustainability Pledge………………………….….. 13
Sustainable Research Center……………….…... 14
Union Plaza Lighting Pilot Study………………... 15
Vending Machine Efficiency……………………... 16
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4. Campus Gardens Project Profile Greening The Chemistry Lab Project Profile
“The campus gardens promote the possibilities “The benefi ts of this water saving project will
of Urban Agriculture as a viable way of creating Local and fresh produce grown by Conserving water to run more be shared with the classes and will help to
a sustainable future for an increasingly
urbanized world.” -Alexandra Parvaz students for the University community. efficient chemistry labs. educate many future scientists about the
options we have available to us to
minimize our environmental impact.”
-Holly Sebaher
Project Overview Project Overview
The campus gardens offer a wide variety of opportunities for students The goal of this project was to minimize the amount of water need-
across campus to be involved in sustainable practices. The two lessly wasted in organic chemisty teaching laboratories. The lab
gardens provide organic food and are working towards year-round replaced wasteful rotary evaporators that cooled vapor with coiled water
harvesting. condensers to dry ice condensers. They also replaced the water
aspirators with a vacuum pump.
Location: Sill Center and Pioneer Garden
Location: Henry Eyring Building, 85
Impact Impact
Project Executives The campus gardens produce organic food that can be used in cam- By replacing the current rotary evaporators with the new rotary evap-
New system
Alexandra Parvaz, Graduate Student pus dining facilities, as well as sold at the University Farmers Market. orators equipped with dry ice condensers the lab will be saving nearly
In Environmental Science, Project The campus gardens provide educational opportunities and foster a
Executive
90,000 gallons of water every year. Over 500 students per semester Project Executives
sense of community. will use this equipment. Elizabeth Wittenborn, Junior In
Maia Taylor, Senior In Environmental Chemistry, Project Executive
Studies, Project Executive Budget Budget Holly Sebahar, Assistant Professor
Fred Montague, Biology Professor, $3,000 $9,000 In Chemistry, Project Advisor
Project Advisor The money funded garden supplies such as compost bins, shovels The money funded rotary evaporators and vacuum pumps that were
and seeds. more cost and energy efficient.
Jen Colby, University Sustainability
Coordinator, Project Advisor Community Partners
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Community Partners
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The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus. About SCIF
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF Approved Fall 2009 Approved Fall 2009 www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF
801-581-7510 801-581-7510
2 3

5. Green Tee Project Profile Sustainable Irrigation Practices Project Profile
“This project is a simple way to raise “Rain gardens are a sustainable way to
funds and awareness in an Sell T-Shirts to spread environmental Experimental irrigation systems used on reduce run-off and provide a source of
environmentally - friendly way.”
-Nathan Nelson
awareness on campus. campus to help conserve water and research irrigation water to replace the use of
culinary sources for irrigation.”
irrigation methods. -Dasch Houdeshel
Project Overview
This project will sell 100% organic and recycled t-shirts with friendly Project Overview
reminders, symbols and messages on them to raise awareness. The This project will install three experimental irrigation systems
t-shirts will be made by a local company and sold to the University to measure water and labor requirements. The project will
community and Salt Lake City area. The project will also increase demonstrate the water and cost-saving potential for installing
student involvement through a student t-shirt graphics competition. rain gardens. Three irrigation systems, traditional Native American
Ollas, a modern drip system, and an innovative capilene drip
Location: Campus-Wide system will be installed. Each system will have similar native
vegetation planted.
Project Executives
Impact Location: Entrance to newly remodeled Meldrum Building, 61
Thomas Walsh, Environmental
The Green Tees will help educate individuals to become more aware Engineering Graduate Student,
Project Executives of how they might be able to make a difference in the environment. Project Executive
Nathan Nelson, Freshman In Atmo- The product will be produced in a completely eco-friendly manner Impact Dasch Houdeshel, Engineering PhD
spheric Sciences, Project Executive and will be self-sustained economically. The project goal is to If implemented campus-wide, Ollas could provide a means to reduce Candidate, Project Executive
create a profit to benefit other sustainability projects and research materials and cost as well as labor costs and installation time as-
Shirlayne Qualye, Director Of The
on campus. sociated with installing rain gardens and xeri-scaping. Water-use Dr. Steve Burian, Professor Of Civil
Sorenson Center, Project Advisor
and maintenace efforts will also be reduced during the establishment And Environmental Engineering,
phase of the gardens by elimination the traditional irrigation system. Project Advisor
Budget
Dr. Christine Pomeroy, Professor Of
Community Partners $1,500
The money funded the organic t-shirts and labor involved in Budget Civil And Environmental Engineering,
producing the green tees. $10,000 Project Advisor
The money funded irrigation systems, rocks, vegetation, clean up,
and landscaping. Community Partners
THE PIERRE LASSONDE
ENTREPRENEUR CENTER COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Student working on the
installation of the garden.
Dasch Hou
About SCIF Hobo soil m
deshel instal
ling a
onitor.
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
About SCIF
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF Approved Spring 2010 Approved Spring 2010 www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF
801-581-7510 801-581-7510
4 5

6. Lights Out Project Profile Net Zero Exhibit Project Profile
“The goal is to have participating students
“At its heart, this is a
community engagemant project.” Saving energy through teaching A traveling exhibition of how to retrofit a prepare and assemble an informative,
-Carol Werner
behavior change. building to be carbon neutral. traveling net zero exhibition that will be
exhibited at sites on the University of Utah
campus as well as other universities in Utah
and beyond. ”
Project Overview Project Overview -Joerg Ruegemer
The purpose of this project is to actively engage university students The College of Architecture and Planning is retrofitting a 40-year
in turning off classroom lights in empty rooms. Research Assistants old structure to be net zero. The project will realize cost benefit,
monitored classrooms of students that had and had not been given a generate new knowledge and awareness about renewable energy,
presentation about turning off lights to save energy. The research will and provide a living demonstration project for aging institutional
determine the best way to deliver the lights out message. facilities. The project will also provide a living laboratory for students
and faculty to experiment with and learn about sustainable technolo-
Location: Orson Spensor Hall, Social Behavior Science Building gies first hand. The research will be gathered and presented as a
and Social Work Building traveling exhibition.
Location: College of Architecture and Planning
Impact Project Executives
Project Executives If all classrooms turn off lights for an additional 3 hours a day, the Joerg Ruegemer, Assistant Professor,
Carol Werner, Professor In
Psychology, Project Executive
University will save over $120,000 per year in energy consumption. Impact Project Executive
This project also aims to impact all students to keep lights off in The research from this project will be integrted into three major initia-
And Advisor Brenda Scheer, Dean Of The College
empty rooms. tives that will have significant impact on the College’s current use of Of Architecture and Planning, Project
energy and its proposed net zero retrofit including: a commissioned Advisor
Community Partners energy model of the building, a formal faculty study of the building,
Budget
and the construction of a PV solar array adjacent to the building.
College of $3,300
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE Funds paid for undergraduate research assistants to observe class- Community Partners
THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH rooms twice daily and enter the data for analyses, as well as, basic Budget
supplies for presentations and signs. $6,000
The money funded materials, publishing and printing for the
Net Zero exhibition.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
About SCIF About SCIF
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus. into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF Approved Spring 2010 Approved Spring 2010 www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF
801-581-7510 801-581-7510
6 7

7. Campus Rain Garden Project Profile Rio Mesa Orchard Project Profile
“It’s designed to store rainwater, as opposed “This project will also serve an important
to letting it go to the storm water conveyance Innovative irrigation system to be a catalyst Historic orchard will be revitalized by education function and work to further the ties
system. It’s allowing it to infi ltrate, be stored,
and then used by the plants and recharges the for future ground management projects. student volunteers. between the urban Salt Lake City campus and
it’s rural fi eld station.”
ground water.” -Thomas Walsh -Ross Chambless
Project Overview Project Overview
Students designed and constructed a bio-retention garden featuring Over the next year the project team will evaluate and replant the old
drought-resistant, native plant species, which will pool rain water, orchard at the Rio Mesa Center. In addition to preparing the site for
store it underground and re-channel it for better use to help alleviate replanting, the Rio Mesa Project aims to preserve local biodiversity,
the burden of the University’s current irrigation system. conduct ecosystem and carbon research, as well as, educational
outreach and humanities research. For more information about Rio
Location: North of the Ray Olpin Student Union Mesa Center visit their website at http://www.riomesa.utah.edu/
Impact Location: Northeast of Moab, University of Utah Rio Mesa Center
It will help the University get one step closer to its water neutrality
Project Executives goal. This projects success will demonstrate a way to utilize the Impact
Thomas Walsh, Environmental natural slope of the campus combined with rainwater to lessen the Regenerating the old orchard will help establish a living laboratory Project Executives
Engineering Graduate Student, need for water-intensive vegetation in the future. The rain garden where future students can study sustainable food productions, Ross Chambless, Graduate Student
Project Executive also provides an aesthetically pleasing look to campus and is a orchard ecology, and the intrinsic values of trees in general. In Environmental Humanities
visible example of green projects brought to fruition on campus.
Dasch Houdeshel, Engineering PhD
Dr. Sylvia Torti, Rio Mesa Center
Candidate, Project Executive Budget Budget Station Director, Project Advisor
$13,500 $2,800
Dr. Steve Burian, Professor Of Civil
This money funded the labor and personnel who assisted in building The majority of the funding went to fund roughly twenty trees. Other
And Environmental Engineering,
Project Advisor
the garden. Funds were also used to purchase the vegetation for the costs included website costs and transportation to plant trees.
garden, as well as, maintenance and outreach. Community Partners
Dr. Christine Pomeroy, Professor Of
Civil And Environmental Engineering, RIO MESA CENTER
Project Advisor THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Community Partners
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About SCIF
About SCIF The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF Approved Fall 2009 Approved Fall 2009 www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF
801-581-7510 801-581-7510
8 9

8. Sill Center Power Down Project Profile Social Justice Garden Project Profile
“It is commonly known that there are much more “Working with Mountain View Elementary in
efficient and cooler bulbs that can achieve the Saving energy by installing ambient and A partnership between Social Justice a collaborative effort of elementary classes,
same wattage.” -Drew Thompson
occupancy lighting sensors. and Sustainability faculty, families and university students are
given the opportunity to help teach earth
and gardening science, build and maintain a
community garden with a diverse population
Project Overview Project Overview of refugee and immigrant families and gain
This project will reduce the Sill Center’s electrical power needs, The Social Justice Garden is a Lowell Bennion Center student di- leadership opportunities through sustainabil-
while making the users of the building more aware of their energy rected program focused upon environmental justice and education. ity projects and workshops for families and
The garden aims to educate and focus on food insecurity and envi- elementary students.”
consumption. The Sill Center Power Down will provide greater -Ashley Edgette
awareness of how electricity can be reduced, made more efficient or ronmentally sustainable food networks. Fifteen families, classrooms
eliminated entirely. The lighting in the building’s conference room will and after school program are supported by the food produced at the
install a light sensor to adjust the lighting based on the natural light garden. Over 100 University of Utah students have volunteered at
that is available. the Social Justice Garden.
Location: Sterling Sill Center Location: Mountain View Elementary School
Project Executives Impact
Drew Thompson, Undergraduate,
Impact Water conservation is a main focus of the garden, the school and the
Project Executive The conference room that hosts approximately 200 meetings a year community. The garden uses 50% less water than the sod that previ-
will turn from artifically generated light to natural light. ously existed. Waste from school lunch is reduced through compost-
Mark St. Andre, Assistant Dean ing food material for the garden. Fresh produce from the garden is
Of Undergraduate Studies, also being used in school lunch, which reduces the energy used in
Project Advisor Budget Project Executives
transporting food. Ashley Edgette, Undergraduate
$10,000
The money funded motion and ambient lighting sensors as well as Project Executive
switches to turn off lights when not in use. Budget Matt Bradley, PhD, Honors College
$1,000 Professor, Project Advisor
The money funded materials, such as seeds and shovels for
the gardens
Community Partners
These hallway lights have been
on for 14 years straight. This
project will turn them off.
About SCIF
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas About SCIF
into fruition on the University of Utah campus. The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF Approved Spring 2010 Approved Spring 2010 www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF
801-581-7510 801-581-7510
10 11

9. Social Work Energy Save Project Profile Sustainability Pledge Project Profile
“This project will reduce the lighting and “I pledge to make the University of Utah
energy load of the building and has an Saving energy with lighting control upgrades. Students commit to engage in sustainable and the world better for myself and future
ROI of 7 years.” generations by living more sustainably. In
-Angel Moreno, behavior changes. my daily actions I will strive to support envi-
University Energy Manager ronmental integrity, social justice, and
sustainable economic prosperity.”
Project Overview Project Overview -Beginning of Pledge
This project will reduce the lighting load in the College of Social Work.
This project will design a Sustainability Plede to encourage students
The project aims to improve lighting efficiency, address the
to develop environmentally conscious habits through committing
tendency for classroom lights to left on when not needed, and
them to action while giving an incentive gift for those actions. The
to take advantage of natural daylight when possible. This will
pledge will include five commitments, each pertaining to either elec-
be accomplished by replacing inefficient light bulbs, installing
tricity usage, commuting, water usage, water reduction, and food
occupancy and daylight censors.
consumption. The pledge will be distributed through numerous
avenues, such as tabling, an opening event, partnering with student
Location: Social Work Building
groups and departments on campus, as well as Facebook.
Location: Ray Olpin Student Union Building
Project Executives Impact
Natalie Leci, Graduate Assistant In The annual energy use will be reduced by 17,315kWh.
College of Social Work, Project Impact
Executive The sustainability pledge will influence students’ action on and off
Budget campus, though it will be challenging to measure specific impact.
Matt Harting, Operations Manager $6,000 Project Executives
College Of Social Work, Project The money will fund retrofitting lighting fixtures, as well Ross Chambless, Communications
Advisor as cost and installation of control censors. Budget Intern, Office Of Sustainability,
$2,500 Project Executive
The funding will be used to create an online pledge and for marketing
and outreach materials. Ashley Patterson, Outreach
Community Partners Coordinator, Office Of Sustainability,
Project Advisor
About SCIF
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
About SCIF
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF Approved Fall 2010 Approved Spring 2010 www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF
801-581-7510 801-581-7510
12 13

10. Sustainable Research Center Project Profile Union Plaza Lighting Pilot Study Project Profile
“Kennecott is similar to many buildings on “This project will allow a contained area to be
campus having been built before energy Students will test various technologies to Installing cutting-edge lighting technology illuminated by the induction lamps as a very
saving technologies were available.”
-Kevin Smith determine efficient retrofitting techniques for in the Union Plaza. good lighting test area.”
-Julie Henry
future campus renovation projects.
Project Overview
The project will replace numerous lamp posts in the Union Plaza
Project Overview with more efficient induction lamps that will help save energy and
This project will install an energy monitoring system in the new money. The proposed light will use a estimated 70% less energy
Sustainability Research Center space in the Kennecott building. and last 4 to 7 times longer, which will reduce maintenance and
This project will allow for the facility to have a working lab that restocking costs.
will help examine ways to reduce its energy use and to develop
strategies to reduce energy in University of Utah buildings being Location: Union Plaza
considered for remodel.
Location: Kennecott Building Impact
Project Executives Implementation of this project will reduce carbon emissions by
Kevin Smith, Graduate Student In 7,423 pounds per year and save 7,847 kWh per year. The
Mechanical Engineering, Project
estimated maintenance cost savings will be $1,120 per year. Project Executives
Advisor. Impact Julie Henry, Freshman Student In
By making energy saving changes to the Kennecott building Architecture, Project Executive
Chris Workman, Graduate Student the facility will potentially save 80% of its current energy usage. Budget
In Mechanical Engineering, Angel Moreno, Energy Manager,
$2,400
Project Executive Plant Operations, Project Advisor
The money funded a pilot program of the proposed energy efficient,
Budget
Denis Balic, Graduate Student In dark sky compliant fixtures to be monitored before implementing the
$6,000
Mechanical Engineering, Project fixtures campus-wide.
The money funded various meters and a computer to measure
Executive
and display energy usage.
Phil Jankovich, Graduate Student
In Mechanical Engineering, Project
Executive
Dr. Kent Udell, Professor And
Director Of Sustainability Research
Center, Project Advisor
Photo showing where the air duct metering will be installed. These are the fixtures that will be replaced.
About SCIF
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus. About SCIF
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF Approved Fall 2009 Approved Fall 2009 www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF
801-581-7510 801-581-7510
14 15

11. Vending Machine Efficiency Project Profile
“Good for the environment, good for you!
Savings for your business.” Device implemented to reduce energy
-Coca~Cola
compsumption of vending machines
on campus.
Project Overview Thank you to all of our Allocation Committee Members
The project attaches Energy Management System (EMS-55) to
vending machines on upper and lower campus to reduce the amount Cheryl Henson, Office Supervisor, Support Services
of energy used. The device lowers the temperature and lights in
Cory Higgins, Director, Plant Operations
the vending machine during hours when buildings are closed. The
project will test the impact of the energy savings on thirty vending Heidi Camp, Assistant Dean, College of Humanities
machines before implementing them throughout campus. Julie Harper, Undergraduate Student, Environmental Studies
Project Executives Justin Reuter, Graduate Student, Educational Leadership and Policy
Travis Horlacher, Senior In
Location: Campus-wide
Environmental Studies And Lindsay Williams, Undergraduate Student, International Studies
Political Science, Project Executive Mark St. Andre, Assistand Dean, Undergraduate Studies
Impact
Dave Burt, Senior In Maziar Nourian, Undergraduate Student, Pre-Medicine
On average, each vending machine operating with the EMS-55
Environmental Studies, Project attached will reduce the energy consumption of the vending Norah Olley, Undergraduate Student, Environmental Studies
Executive
machine by 35%. Robert Young, Professor, College of Architecture
Joshua James, Facilities Management,
Tami Beck, Undergraduate Student, Architecture, ASUU Senate Chair
Recycling Coordinator, Project Advisor
Budget Tim Harrison, Graduate Student, Masters of Public Administration
$2,250
The money funded thirty EMS-55 to be installed on upper
Community Partners and lower campus. Staff
Myron Willson, Director, Office of Sustainability
Whitney Williams, SCIF Coordinator, Office of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
1901 E. South Campus Dr.
Annex Wing D, Room 1024
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF
About SCIF
The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund brings students’ sustainable ideas
into fruition on the University of Utah campus.
www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF Approved Fall 2009 Thank you to Lindsay Williams and the Office of Sustainability for making this report possible.
801-581-7510
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12. Cover printed on 25% post consumer recycled paper. Inside pages printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper.