White Paper

TEAM: 3 IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN 4 P r o f e s s i o n a l   Writing;   White Paper  Assignment

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA GOES GREEN COMPLETED BY: JOSEPH BARBIERI KENNETH DAVIS ELIZABETH JORDAN  November 14, 2009

ENC3250.799F09: Professional Writing Professor Francis Tobienne

4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620 • telephone: 813­974­2011  • www.usf.edu

University of South Florida Goes Green

Executive Summary

This report acknowledges the efforts University of South Florida is undertaking  to become a “Green University”. The university has improved their Green Report Card  Grade assessed by www.greenreportcard.org in the past three years maintaining a  steady progress. With everything South Florida has done, how do they compare against  other Florida Universities such as Florida State, University of Florida, and University of  Miami? Introduction

In the early 1980‘s, the University of South Florida began to aid this planet first  by discovering ways to conserve energy from major central plant chillers to simply  replacing light bulbs and then they added recycling bends in 1990. In 1995, the  University of South Florida took a giant step forward when they put together a Master  Plan for the Tampa, FL campus to ensure the continued growth and progression of  becoming a “Green University.” The university has taken step after step since 95’ with  frequent updates to this Master Plan which is still the school’s guideline for becoming  green.  USF formulated the Office of Sustainability as a team built to preserve the earth  and lower, or possibly eliminate, our carbon footprint. This office is divided into 10  sections, including: Campus, Curriculum, Energy, Green Building, Greenhouse Gas,  Recycling & Waste Management, Research, Students, Transportation, and Water.  Universities all over the state of Florida are making a difference, but how do they  compare to the University of South Florida? Find out what USF projects are in the  works right now and read some suggestions that could further the school’s transition  into a “Green University.”

Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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Previous Approaches

The University of South Florida started the journey to become a campus that was  environmentally conscience in the 1980’s with the replacement of light bulbs and major  plant chillers. In 1990, USF became a site for community recycling for everyone around  the campus perimeter. This center would grow to what it is today featuring: 500+ paper  & 100+ aluminum recycling containers, mixed metal recycling, landscape waste is not  converted into mulch, and the recycling of construction/demolition materials (“Mission  Statement”).  The journey to improve sustainable practices and goals began in 1995 with the  development of the Master Plan. This Master Plan identified wasteful habits and  provided a green solution. On and off­campus students traveled in vehicles in this  already congested city leaking carbon­dioxide into our atmosphere. After identifying  this wasteful habit, USF implemented a shuttle system that consumes bio­fuel instead of  regular gasoline.  It offered free off­campus and regional transportation for students. To  further aid the congestion of our roads, USF increased the amount of on­campus  residence halls dramatically in order to decrease the amount of commuters. With the  rise of residence halls, USF constructed on­campus bike lanes to promote more  pedestrian access and safety. The university began using parking lots for new construction projects to  redevelop its space. In result, it reduced sprawl, traffic, utility extensions, off­campus  light pollution, and minimized increases in impervious areas while preserving  undeveloped land. Also under the Master Plan; Element 4; Future Land Use, floor area  ratio increased from .33 in 1995 to .57 in 2005. The University of South Florida protects  its natural resources with the designation of the Greenway area and maintaining of soil  data and topographic conditions. The Campus Greenway links habitat islands and  provides passive recreation, aggregate storm water retention, and forestry reserves that  offset the carbon footprint (“Mission Statement”). While USF has been maintaining its  Greenways, the university also adds to the campus’ environment with the addition of  over 2,000 trees. These Greenways are now constantly being used as a place for  relaxation for students. These areas add to the beauty of the universities' campus  providing abundant shading from trees and branches surrounded by drought­tolerant,  Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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native plants. Add the installation of rain sensors in the irrigation system and USF now  has a Green Landscape, providing multiple positive uses from its Greenway. One main goal for the Master Plan is to lower the use of power and electricity  while researching alternative, reusable energy. So far, its main contributor on saving  energy is the replacement of lights with those of lower wattage. As simple sounded as it  seems, USF has an unthinkable amount of lights, most that must remain turned on  24/7. With this in consideration, the university actually saves a lot with the conversion  of light bulbs. This is not the only solution the University of South Florida has  discovered regarding energy. The university replaced their building’s roof tops in  which it provides higher insulation and reflects the sun’s ray. The replacement of  windows, especially the extremely large windows, with a high efficient glass and use of  sunscreens to provide cover limits the heating of their buildings caused by the Florida  temperatures. These improvements have resulted in a 3% reduction of electrical  consumption over the last six years. Over the last ten years, $10 million was saved from  the result of the Greenlights replacement program alone. This is just another steeping  stool USF has taken in order to be energy conscience.  The University of South Florida’s made significant advances in becoming a  “Green University.” It all began with the addition of the recycling center, Greenway,  trees and the changing of light bulbs. In the past, the buildings USF constructed were  not built with the word “Green” in mind. There is only so much the university can do  with its older buildings to help our planet, but what about their new construction  projects? New research Findings

Along with the Greenway project, other implements have been set to make USF a  greener campus. All new buildings and parking garages have to meet “new” building  codes to satisfy its new direction while the university continues to find new ways to  better its older buildings. Along with these advances in new building constructions,  students have now entered this rescue mission creating and participating in  organizations centered around becoming “Green.” This awareness from students can be  linked to the new courses USF added to the school’s curriculum. Energy Recovery is now implemented into design where appropriate. Energy  recovery includes, but is not limited to heat pipes and energy recovery units. Several  buildings are being retrofitted with heat pipe devices. Low use water fixtures (1.6  gal/flush, minimum) and a reduction of use of remote tertiary pumps at some  buildings. This saves energy back at the plant for not over pumping and at the building  in power consumption. Environmental Controls will manage all new buildings and  have night setback and/or occupied/unoccupied control. Lights are typically on  motion sensors now with many older buildings in the retrofitting process. Further  Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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sensor installations are under discussion now to help lower energy usage as well. All  campus facilities were modified under Green Lights program with energy efficient T8  lamps and electronic ballast type lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent, other efficient  lamps, and motion sensors. USF has also saved in gas cost, estimated $7.7 million, by  purchasing cost efficient natural gases through gas transportation contracts. USF is now adding meters to monitor energy consumption in every building for  all utilities. To further in its savings, traffic lights are being replaced with energy saving  LED lights, restroom faucets will be automatic, vending machines are being equipped  with motion sensors so they turn off when no one is around, and buildings will now be  closed outside of normal operating office and class hours.  Improvements have been made to buildings such as using carpet instead of hard  surfaces so less water is used. The machines that are still needed are more efficient;  taking less time and only require one person instead of three and now recycling is more  organized. Housing will offer a better quality of life by offering reduced need for  vehicular trips, more on­campus food service location, increase recycling efforts, and  reduce energy and water use. Services such as pharmacies, office products, and  sundries will be increased (“Mission Statement”). These new efforts continue what was  started back in 95’ when the Master Plan was written. It has included big changes and  developments while at the same time making minor changes such as using cleaning  products that are more environmentally friendly and have received a Green Seal ™.  The University of South Florida now provides students with nearly 50 courses  that revolve around sustainable themes and added a new program to their degree list.  USF has now created the School of Global Sustainability offering students a M.A. in  Global Sustainability. USF does not want to stop there as they are looking to add to  their list of sustainable course through Sustainability Teaching Grants. Even if you are  not a student in this program, USF has reached out by re­tooling all course syllabus  workshops to include sustainability concepts. Keep this in mind as it will be brought to  attention later in this paper. New Building Designs for schools will now include smaller footprints by  creating taller buildings. Open spaces will be preserved, East­West orientation of  buildings to use natural light more effectively, and organizing parking better to reduce  impervious area and the heat island effect (“Mission Statement”). According to the  Master Plan; Element 3; Urban Design, this states through the policies that buildings  can only be of a certain height, future buildings must have minimum impact to existing  tress, increase the number of parking garages, and energy conservation of buildings  must be addressed during building design planning (Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC,  Science and Engineering, Inc., Affiliated, Engineers, Inc., and ICON Consultant Group,  Inc.). Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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Currently there are three LEED buildings in progress and three LEED Accredited  professionals on Facilities Planning and Construction staff. Energy management and  control will be monitored and managed by an IT network with buildings being  monitored individually for energy and water use and centralized data collection. The  Master Plan calls for utilities, steam/hot water sub­element goal is to be more cost  effective and grow with the campus needs and by 2014­15, electrical power elements is  to become more cost effective in campus expansions. Remember what was mentioned earlier about how USF began to reach out to  students to raise awareness? Well, with the organizations created to help USF become a  “Green University” on­campus, residential students now participate in a project called  ConservaBull. ConservaBull 2009 is a project hosted by the Physical Plant, the USF  Sustainability Initiative, and USF Housing and Residential Education. This is an effort  for residence halls to reduce energy consumption (“ConservaBull 2009”). Since  September 2, 2009 this program has saved 216,820 kilowatt hours. A reduction of 13  percent over previous years (“Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost”).  Currently there is a competition in place for the hall that has the largest percentage of  reduction. Winning Resident Hall students receive a ConservaBull T­shirt and a chance  to win an iPod. The latest competition was held between September 8, 2009 and  November 10, 2009 and provides weekly results recorded online. 14 halls competed in  raising our consumption conscience. These resident hall students are asked to complete  simple tasks like turning off lights and computers when not in use, shorter showers,  unplugging appliances, turning the A/C up one degree, and to recycle (“ConservaBull  2009”). It is amazing to think about the domino effect USF has created on campus by  raising awareness about our planet’s health. From creating courses, to organizations, to  housing adjustments all to improve the environment.  Discussion

The University of South Florida is off to a great start to reaching their goal of a  “Green University”, but they still have a ways to go. USF still has some issues that need  to be identified by the Office of Sustainability, although with their progress and  determination, a solution is in the near future. Part of this discussion will help the  reader understand the stage USF is at now and how they compare to other major  universities in the State of Florida. To help pinpoint where an university is on their progress, a website called  GreenReportCard.org evaluates their campus and posts a letter grade, much like high  school, and grades them in sections. It allows universities to look at their weaknesses  and build upon them. Although, E. Christian Wells, Ph.D. and Director of the Office of  Sustainability discredits the sites up­to­date standards, USF has gradually increased  each year pertaining to their “Green Grade.” Please see below USF’s grade progress for  each category between 2008­2010 provided by the Green Report Card website.  Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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USF’s scores for green buildings have consistently risen, but it is still low at a grade of “D”. This is possibly because the LEED-certified projects, the University has three, are under construction or in planning. But 70 percent of the buildings have low-flow faucets, toilets, and urinals; shower heads in 90 percent of the buildings are now low-flow. UF currently has twelve buildings that are LEED-certified, UM has

A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF+ F F-

six, and FSU has two LEED-certified, several more are pending certification, and the Off-Grid Zero-Emissions Building is completely solar powered. UF received an “A”, and UM and FSU hold “B’s” (“College Sustainability Report Card; University of South Florida”).

According to the Green Report for USF 2010, food and recycling efforts received  a “B”. This is up from the 2008 and 2009 grade of D­. The increase in our grade is a  result of the dinning service that now spends 20 percent of their budget on locally  produced dairy, fruit, and vegetables verses in the past they did not. Grass­fed meats,  seafood that is sustainable is harvested, and fair trade coffee are used. Pre­and post  consumer composting is used at campus and no trays are used at any of the dinning  locations. 90% of all plastic, glass, and aluminum are recycled. In comparison to other  state schools FSU started their tray­less program in 2005 and UF also went tray­less.  They donate unused food to the community, coffee purchased for the school is fair  trade, and dining services has cage­free eggs, organic produce, while providing  students with antibiotic­free pork, chicken, and milk. The seafood served at USF meets  all the Seafood Watch guidelines for safety of their students, staff, and faculty. The 125  gallons of oil from these campus dining's are collected each week to use for fuel for the  campus fleet. Refillable mugs are now available and students get a discount for using  this service. A student can purchase a refillable mug for only $4­5 and the refills from  here­on­out are only $.99 anywhere on campus. In recycling, they divert 30 percent of  waste and 100 percent of yard waste into compost or mulch that is accountable for 50%  Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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of USF campus grounds. UF and FSU received “B’s“ as well but UM had a top grade of  “A“, their produce is local and sustainable.   Regarding the dining services at USF, an interview with a campus resident  student, Robert Blanton also mentioned that USF’s reusable plastic is referring to the  To­Go boxes in the dining areas. Mr. Blanton went on to say, “They offered a selection  between a free Styrofoam To­Go box or you can purchase a box for about $7, use it and  bring it back to be washed and receive a new one”(Blanton Interview). Although  practical, it is expensive compared to the free Styrofoam and not popular, in Mr.  Blanton’s words, “Because people do not want to fool with it.”  Sustainability is now in new­student orientations. There are four student  organizations dealing with campus’s sustainability efforts that are presented during  these orientations to help new students become aware of the organizations and to  establish an early connection with them. In this category, USF and UM were both  ranked as “B’s” and UF and FSU were “A’s.” To further improve our grade, USF may  learn from its neighboring state contributors like the University of Florida. At UF 25  interns are employed each year in the Office of Sustainability to give them hands on  experience in the real world regarding a “Green University.” At their orientation  freshman receive reusable bags and green guides to increase this awareness. Students  have become a huge contributor to fighting Global Warming and helping universities  become “Green.” USF is doing its part in raising awareness, just as the other  universities mention (“College Sustainability Report Card; University of South  Florida”). As far as transportation goes USF offers it for free to students and at a discount  for employees on and around campus. A car sharing program is also in place and uses  hybrid vehicles. UF has a free bus system for students, faculty, and staff as well. They  also promote using alternative­fuel vehicles by offering a vehicle purchasing policy.  One Less Car is a challenge that started in 2008. UF also has a car­sharing program  where you get reduced­rate parking for car­pooling. Like USF, UM, has uses biodiesel  buses for its transportations. Discounts are available to students for bikes and helmets  in their UBike program and they also have a car­sharing program. FSU gives free access  to city buses and campus shuttles to students, faculty, and staff. In promoting  pedestrian­friendly environment some areas of campus have been closed to vehicles.  Employees are encouraged to carpool in their system of ride­matching that guarantees a  ride home. With these efforts in mind, UF received an “A” while the rest, including  USF, score “B’s”(“College Sustainability Report Card; University of South Florida”). In regards to the website, www.greenreportcard.org, which issued the University  of South Florida an overall “C”, Mr. E. Christian Wells, Ph.D. says the site is not up­to­ date with USF’s efforts. Mr. Well is the Director of the Office of Sustainability at USF  and also the Associate Professor for the Department of Anthropology and he states,  Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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“The Green Report Card for 2010 is based on data from 2008, reported by USF to their  organization in 2009. So the “C” grade precedes the signing of the American College  and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment by USF President Genshaft. Since  2008, USF has made substantial progress toward reducing our environmental footprint.  Many of these initiatives can be found on the new website for the newly created Office  of Sustainability” (Blanton Interview). This may discredit the accuracy of the Green  Report Card site but it does show USF takes it into consideration. With that in mind,  Mr. Wells gave some insight on current and future projects that will better USF’s  campus and inevitably raise their Green Grade. ←

“The Sustainability Steering Committee, which advises the Office of Sustainability, is currently preparing the USF Climate Action Plan, a detailed document that assesses USF’s greenhouse gas emissions and provides recommendations on how to reduce our carbon footprint. There are many things we can do with improved technology that is constantly emerging. But technology can only get us so far. I think behavior is a key variable that needs to be addressed. To do so, we need to raise awareness of the issues at hand. One of the ways we are doing this is to build sustainability concepts into the USF curriculum. The recent Campus and Community Conference Sustainability Conference offered workshops for instructors on how to do this. The Office of Sustainability offers grants for instructors to retool their course syllabi and develop new courses. And the Provost’s Office has recently created a new School for Global Sustainability, which will house a new MA degree program in Global Sustainability. We are in the process of developing Memoranda of Understanding with several external agencies (including the Florida Earth Foundation and Learning Gate Community School), which will set the stage for future collaborations involving USF students and community partners.”

A suggestion from the previous interview with the student, Mr. Robert Blanton  mentioned making the, “Plastic to­go boxes free to the students and eliminate the  purchase of the Styrofoam boxes altogether”, and when asked how else could USF help  conserve in any way, he states, “Shut off the fountains at night on campus along with  the lights and look into a possibility of a waterless toilet like those in Disney Theme  Parks.” Robert Blanton also shines some light about his dorm stating that at his dorm,  “There is no recycling or saving of electricity. Some of the residents are just careless and leave every light in the dorm on. The lobby, shower, bedroom, bathroom lights are always on even when no one is there. I will just walk in and all the lights are on, this upsets me. As for recycling it is inconvenient because of the location being so far away. You must walk your trash to the recycling center because the Bullrunner will not allow it on the bus. With all the golf carts USF grounds keepers drive on campus, they should use those to pick up recycling boxes that could be placed in front of the dorms, or common areas so it can be taken to the recycle bends for us. This would increase our recycling efforts.” Conclusion Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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With help from all students, faculty, and staff we can make not only our  University a more Earth friendly location, but even make steps towards making our  world a better place. If we get into habits of turning lights off and raising the A/C now  then it will become a facet of our lives. USF is taking strides to make more use of their  buildings and surroundings. The website www.greenreportcard.org helps universities  discover their weak points and identify the problem and suggest a solution.  Although  the Green Grade system is not ­up­to­date, it does help and Mr. Wells comments prove  USF takes the grade into consideration. The University of South Florida has only just  begun to become green.  

Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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Annotated Bibliography

Team 3 is Always Better than 4 ENC3250 Professional Writing Joseph Barbieri, Kenneth Davis, Elizabeth Jordan Our Team, 3 is Always Better than 4, researched and informed readers about how the University of South Florida is taking the necessary steps to become a “Green” university. Some of the steps USF has taken were simple such as changing to more efficient light bulbs and being energy conscience when building their new buildings. We used resources from one-on-one interviews, online articles, and web pages to show how USF is taking the proper steps to become even more “Green”. "Conserve A Bull 2009." University of South Florida. 2009. University of South Florida, Web. 25 Oct 2009. . USF has a organization I think led by students at this website http://ctr.usf.edu/egb/. It was specifically created for dorms on campus. The home page contains dated updates and incentives for winning. Which is a T-shirt and a drawing for an Ipod. Also on this page is answers to who, what, where, when, and how questions of what the site is about. Their are links at the top of the page to get to results, faq, tips, and 2008. Clinking on results brings you to two graphs showing where each resident hall is at in their consumption of energy. FAQs answers simple questions like how to get involved if you do not live on campus or if your house isn’t included. Tips has valuable information for conserving energy and water. The 2008 link takes you to the results from last year and summarizes each week giving information like top three improvements and tips.

Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC, With TEK Science and Engineering, Inc., Affiliated, Engineers, Inc., ICON Consultant Group, Inc. 2005. Adopted Goals, Objectives & Policies 2005 Tampa Campus Master Plan (Dec 7, 2006). 7 Dec. 2006 . This is an extensive list of what the University of South Florida has set up as their development plan. Element 3; Urban Design, this states through the policies that buildings can only be of a certain height, future buildings must have minimum impact to existing tress, increase the number of parking garages, energy conservation of buildings must be addressed during building design planning. Element 4; Future Land Use, floor area ratio will increase from .33 in 1995 to .57 with the 2005 updates. USF must protect natural resources, designate the Greenway area, maintain soil data and topographic conditions. Element 5; Academic Facilities, must reinforce and improve on existing land use, circulation, parking, and open space. Element 6; Support facilities, locate such places so to conduct events and serve general public, adequate transit between campuses and such facilities. Element 7; Housing, improve environment, improvements in facilities that do exist. Element 8; recreation and Open Space, The Greenway is the open space ‘centerpiece.’ Element 9; Infrastructure, storm water management. Potable water subelement; provide a system for future potable water needs. Element 10; Utilities, steam/hot water subelement goal is to be more cost effective and grow with the campus needs. Electrical power element is to become more cost effective in campus expansions that will take place in 2014-15. Element 11; Transportation, parking, and non-vehicular transportation. Implement of Bullrunner and expansion of it. The goal is to encourage more options of transport. Element 13; Conservation, basically to improve the environment on campus.

“Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.” 2009. .

Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

University of South Florida Goes Green 10

This site has information on initiatives that USF has set up for ‘going green.’ The first part has links for the Sustainability report, proposal, member list, and structure. This is followed by news from USF. First is the office of sustainability which has several links that lead to the director and the actual office website. Then information on Going Green Tampa Bay 09. You can join workshops and visit the expo site. Their is also a link for ConservaBull and information on energy used. Also a link to an article that was WMNF 88.5 because USF was featured on that radio station recently. A few links to higher education going green. Press release on USF grad student’s ideas of ‘greener’ internet that can save millions. USF is also involved in a program called SEEDS that will help the next generation of power engineers.

Sustainable Endowments Institute. “The College Sustainability Report Card; University of South Florida.” 2007-2009. . This is a report card of USF’s administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorites, and shareholder engagement. 2007 through 2010 is available. A comparison to other colleges is also on this site. Their is a link to awards and surveys. Surveys such as endowment and campus surveys are available.

Melanie Marquez. “Campus Cleaning Turns Greener.” eNews Newsletter. 2008. Press Releases. 26 Aug. 2008 This is an article about the St. Petersburg campus becoming greener. It mentions the cleaning products being more environmentally friendly and recycling becoming a more organized program. Locations of recycling centers on campus are listed and what will be accepted. Improvements to buildings such as using carpet instead of hard surfaces so less water is used.

Engineers for a Sustainable World Chapter at the University of South Florida. “ESW.” 2006. This website offers information about the partnership that the faculty, students, and staff have to discuss issues with USF. They go over things like LEED certified buildings. Under the project link there is information about water awareness and how to solve the problem of not being efficient with it.

Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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Works Cited

"Engineers for a Sustainable World Chapter at the University of South Florida." ESW (2006): n. pag. Web. . Marquez, Melanie. Campus Cleaning Turns Greener. eNews Newsletter (2008). Press Releases. 26 Aug. 2008. . "Sustainable Endowments Institute." College Sustainability Report Card; University of South Florida (2009). Web. . "The Office of Sustainability." Mission Statement (2009). Web. . "The University of South Florida." ConservaBull 2009 (2009). Web. . "The University of South Florida." Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost (2009). Web. . Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC, With TEK Science and Engineering, Inc., Affiliated, Engineers, Inc., and ICON Consultant Group, Inc. "The University of South Florida." Adopted Goals, Objectives & Policies 2005 Tampa Campus Master Plan (Dec 7, 2006) (2009). Web. < http://usfweb2.usf.edu/FacilitiesPlan/Campus%20Planning/plan_draft.html#> Interview conducted on campus with a student on-campus resident, Mr. Robert Blanton. Interview conducted on November 13, 2009 by Kenneth Davis. Interview with the Director of the Office of Sustainabiliy, Mr. E. Christian Wells, Ph.D. He is the Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Florida. Interview was conducted on November 13, 2009 by Kenneth Davis.

Team: 3 is Always Better than 4

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