Sustainability Practices
Student Housing and Dining Services have implemented many sustainability practices and will continue to be a leader as new technologies, opportunities and practices present themselves. As a large department serving over 5000 students we have a great opportunity and responsibility to instill within them the concept of sustainability.
Objectives (on-going actions)
UC Davis Student Housing aggressively pursues the following objectives, which are inspired by departmental values and are supported by UCOP's Sustainability policy and directives (pdf):
- Student Housing events are becoming zero waste events
- Continue to develop the Positive Impact educational program
- Actively maintain the Student Housing Sustainability website
- Educate all current staff and new staff on the topic of sustainability
- Integrate sustainability wording and behavioral expectations into all position descriptions
- Create and fund a full-time Sustainability Coordinator position
- Retrofit plumbing fixtures within Student Housing facilities to reduce water usage
- Evaluate and develop a lighting retrofit plan for all Student Housing facilities
- Integrate green cleaning supplies into the daily custodial operation
- Integrate local renewable energy sources into existing facilities
- Obtain LEED NC certification for all new construction projects
- Obtain LEED CI certification for all major renovation projects
- Obtain LEED EB certifications for Webster, Emerson and Thoreau residence halls
- Develop and implement a 5 year facility assessment cycle
- Achieve zero waste at all dining facilities by 2020
- Achieve zero waste related to all Student Housing administrative space/operations by 2020
- Achieve zero waste related to all residence hall student waste by 2020
- Support University of California green house gas reduction goals
Sustainability Education
Residence Hall Staff Training – the campus recycle program (R4) facilitates an educational session during Resident Advisor (RA) Training. This is an opportunity for R4 to inform residence hall staff regarding program offerings and to increase awareness about the campus recycling program.
Residence Hall Advisory Board – this board is comprised of residents representing all communities living with Student Housing and it meets weekly. Weekly meetings include discussions about facility, program and dining related issues. Present at the meetings is a member from the campus R4 program. This is an opportunity for R4 to solicit input from students and to inform them about upcoming R4 efforts.
Move-In Day – A coordinated effort is made when residents move-in to separately collect then recycle cardboard and styrofoam. This re-directs a significant amount of waste away from the landfill.
Recycle Mania – this is a national recycling competition which occurs at many college campuses. Residents are encouraged to recycle more and reduce waste. Student Housing and R4 Recycling collaborate on the development of the contest with the intent being lowering waste and re-directing waste away from landfills.
Community Education – each residential area as well as the entire system will present educational programs high-lighting Green/Sustainable practices. Examples include the 2006-2007 campus book project “Omnivore’s Dilemma” and the showing of “Inconvenient Truth” on the Student Housing movie channel.
Positive Impact Program – Three student interns develop, coordinate and facilitate educational sessions within the residence halls.
Resource Recovery Drive – at the end of every academic year Student Housing and R4 collaborate on the implementation of this program, which is designed to offer students alternatives to throwing away unwanted possessions. Donation centers are strategically located within all residential areas with donations being given to charitable organizations.
Green Practices
Dining Services Green Practices
Distribution of Reusable Mugs – mugs are distributed to all residents for use in all dining facilities and campus retail operations thus decreasing paper product use.
R-usable bags – residents are provided with a re-usable bag option for use in resident dining and convenience stores.
Pre consumer Composting – food waste which results from preparation is composted by ASUCD Project Compost.
Post consumer Composting – food waste and organic material which is discarded by diners is run through a pulping process and then composted.
Recycling – products which may be recycled are collected such as #10 food service cans, cardboard, frying oils, etc. Recycle bins are located within all facilities. Recyclable packaging is utilized by the “Express To Go” program
Purchase of Local Food Product – local food source purchasing is utilized whenever possible. 90% of produce is purchased from California. Rice is purchased from a local organic producer out of Glenn County. Seasonal produce is utilized for menu development.
Coffee – resident dining and retail operations offer Fair Trade Coffee.
Operations – audits of growers are implemented to ensure proper ecological and employee labor standards are being followed. Produce vendors utilize backhauling strategies to ensure freshness.
Education – collaborate with the campus R4 program on educational events held in the dining facilities, such as “Zero Waste” and “Farm to College”. Provide education on-site regarding sustainability, product and green practices.
Recycling & Composting – efforts in recycling and composting have resulted in the diversion of 90-93% of daily waste away from the landfill.
Facilities Services Green Practices
Energy Management Systems – through monitoring of load and usage, supply is adjusted enabling the most efficient use and distribution of energy. Particular focus is given to hot water and lighting.
Heating/Cooling System Upgrades – Student Housing is completing a multi-year upgrade of all heating cooling systems which are used in the residence halls. These upgrades have a positive impact on reducing energy usage.
Pool Water Circulating Pump Retro-fit – Student Housing operates four non-heated pools, averaging 48,000 gallons, in the Cuarto area. Our water filtration circulation systems have been retro-fitted with variable frequency "IntelliFlo" high performance pumps combined with integral programmable logic controllers that can reduce energy consumption up to 90%.
Thermostat Controls – heating and cooling thermostats have a pre-set temperature range allowing the user flexibility with temperature settings within an energy efficient range.
Dolphin Systems – this is an evaporative cooling tower water treatment system which eliminates the use of chemicals and increases worker safety. This system has been implemented at the Webster, Emerson and Thoreau cooling towers.
Solar Hot Water Systems – Student Housing has solar hot water systems in place serving the following buildings: Malcolm, Ryerson, Bixby, Gilmore, Leach and Solano Park.
White Roofs – All flat roofs within the Student Housing inventory have been upgraded to reflective white roofs thus decreasing the solar heat gain of the facility.
Photovoltaic Energy System – a 4.2KW PV system has been installed and serves the “Co-op” community (TB 13/14/15).
Motion Sensor Connected Lighting – in collaboration with the California Lighting Technology Center, we have retrofitted bathroom vanity lights with motion sensors. Webster Hall is complete and Emerson Hall is in process.
“Light Harvesting”-Dimming Lighting Ballasts – light harvesting ballasts decrease energy use by sensing when natural light is present and then automatically reducing output. These have been installed within many lounge spaces, community spaces and some bathrooms which have high amounts of natural light.
Window Replacement – Webster and Emerson Halls single pane windows have been replaced and upgraded to dual pane windows.
Electronic Ballasts – all old magnetic lighting ballasts within Student Housing have been replaced and upgraded to electronic ballasts which use 10% less electricity and emit less heat.
Fluorescent Desk Lamps – Student Housing provides each student with a low energy fluorescent desk lamp. These desk lamps use less electricity and thus the student requires less overhead light.
Window Film – as a pilot program we have installed window film on all south facing windows at Bixby Hall. Window film is designed to reduce energy use by reducing the amount of infrared rays allowed to enter the building.
Ultra- Low Bathroom Fixtures – in all new residence halls ultra-low flow water volume fixtures have been installed. All locations have ultra-low volume shower heads. Toilet flush valves in the older facilities are being upgraded to low flow and dual flush.
Energy STAR, Top Tier – all washers and dryers being used in the residence hall laundry rooms are rated Energy STAR Top Tier. This results in lower energy use.
Recycle Bins – are present in all residence halls and dining facilities. Small bins are located within each room to assist with recycling efforts. Recycling efforts are coordinated with R4 Recycling and Waste Management.
Recycled Products – recycled products such as hand towels, toilet seat covers, toilet paper, copier paper and printer paper are used in all residence halls and administrative spaces.
Green Waste – Student Housing has a direct cost agreement with the campus Grounds department for the upkeep of all landscape. The Grounds department composts or reuses collected green waste.
Reuse Products – Student Housing actively works with “Bargain Barn” to sell or donate furniture and equipment which no longer has a use within our operation.
Electric Carts – Student Housing uses electric carts as part of its facilities operation. This results in lower fossil fuel usage and lower emissions.
Cleaning Chemicals – when possible Green Seal certified chemicals are used to clean residence hall spaces. Student Housing is committed to using green cleaning products and will continue to broaden their use.
Sustainable/Green Products – Student Housing uses green products when possible. Recycled wood benches, zero volatile organic chemical (VOC) window coverings, zero VOC paint, recycled paint and recycled carpet have become a standard practice.
Recycling – Recycling toters are available within all residence hall rooms. Recycling collection bins are located on each residence hall floor.
Printers – Student Housing printers are set to print on both sides of a page (duplexing), cutting our paper usage.