Projects Across Campus
USF is kicking off its Green Initiative by employing low cost changes at the operational level.
Cleaning up Campus
Thursday, April 22, several USF students joined forces to clean up campus grounds in recognition of Earth Day. Working in shifts between 9am and 3pm, the following students implemented this year's Franciscan value of "Respect Creation": Jay Horning, Jacob Derkack, Ashley Scare, CeCelia Baumgartner, Abbe Cox, Emma McCoy, Kelley Elkins, Nate James, Kyle Moser, Talitha Frecker, Megan Silking, Alex Bush, Eric Toy, Cole De'Nise, Patrick Mitoraj, Nellie Wall and Tyler Overmeyer. The University offers thanks to these students who lead by example.
USF Raingarden
USF's new rain garden is greening up for it's first spring! Planted in fall 2009 by students Larua Bohnke, Jason Gaisford, Nick Morken, Hillary Powers, Tricia Stephenson, USF facutly and staff in conjunction with the City of Fort Wayne and Heartland Restoration. Construct a rain garden of your own by attending a City workshop.
Carpool to USF
Finding a parking spot, especially the first three weeks of the semester, can be frustrating. Carpooling is your ticket to the premier spots! Contact Deb Bragg at 399-7700 x6100 to register with a friend and obtain the Ride Share window cling or ask Deb to help match you with a carpooler near your home! Student and employee permit application forms are available for download.
Citilink also sponsors a ride matching program as well and eRideShare or iCarpool can set you up with a someone who lives near you.
Medication Containers Wanted
The Department of Operations collects empty prescription pill bottles for reuse by Matthew 25 Health Clinic. To help out, remove all labels, especially personal information, and drop off with the receptionist in Trinity Hall. Employees can donate through using intercampus mail. For large amounts contact operations at x6106 for pickup.
New Residence Hall
Students living in the new Clare Hall appreciate the sustainable features of the new residence hall and everyone looks forward to the same care for creation coming to Bonzel Hall through the renovation project.
Environmentally friendly products include:
- low-flow shower heads, toilets, and aerators
- energy efficient windows and HVAC system
- room thermostats with external controls to prevent overuse during warm or cold weather
- blown cellulose insulation made from recycled newspapers
- LEED certified paint
Additionally, as part of USF's green campus focus, contractors were asked to sign a Green Campus Construction Initiative agreeing to uphold sustainability practices, and resourcefully use or recycle all construction materials with minimal amounts sent to landfills.
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake at USF serves a several purposes: campus aesthetics, a resource for biology laboratory classes and research, and saving grace during inclement weather. It's a little known fact that for years storm sewers in nearby neighborhoods have drained into Mirror Lake. USF and the City of Fort Wayne together are permit holders for Mirror Lake's use as a storm water retention lake. Because USF values water quality and biodiversity in Mirror Lake, it is important that area residents prevent pollutants from entering storm sewers. A few simple rules of thumb will keep Mirror Lake clean and healthy.
- Never allow any chemicals to enter the storm sewer.
- Wash the car in the yard so the grass and soil and absorb and neutralize the soap and water. Chemicals break down more readily in soil than in water.
- Sweep your driveway and sidewalks, rather than hose them off.
- Keep leaves and other debris away from storm sewer drains.
USF has applied logos to campus storm sewer drains educating the public that the drains flow to a natural waterway. Consider that nearly anywhere you go in Fort Wayne, discharges to storm drains eventually go to the local St. Mary's, St. Joseph or Maumee Rivers. Since we get our drinking water from local water, the cleanliness of our rivers is vital. Often times the aquatic life that is most sensitive to pollutants are also the ones that are helping by filtering the water further. The cleaner the water, the greater biodiversity, and...the cleaner the water - a wonderful cycle when nature is in balance!
Recycling
Look for recycling centers throughout campus buildings. We accept materials from campus and from your home.
- plastic bottles, paper, and cardboard
- collecting aluminum cans to be recycled through Habitat for Humanity
- collecting can tabs for Ronald McDonald House
- ink cartridges and toners recycled with proceeds to HEADS UP Foundation
- used fluorescent lamps
- used batteries
Recycled Paper
USF has been recycling paper and using recycled content paper on campus for years. All colored paper, white paper, and some cardstock used in the campus Copy Center are 30% post-consumer recycled content and Green Seal Certified.
USF’s promotional materials have now gone green as well. HPN Marketing, at USF’s, request has switched USF projects to recycled paper that is:
- 10% post-consumer recycled content
- not bleached with elemental chlorine
- acid free
- certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
- certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- certified by the Rainforest Alliance
Please further support our efforts by purchasing post-consumer recycled content always recycling paper whether you are on or off campus. Paper products recycled on campus can earn cash for the university for additional environmental initiatives.
Efficient Lighting
The University has converted to fluorescent lamps to reduce energy costs and has even purchased energy saving LED Christmas lights for decorating the campus during the holidays. These new LED lights use 20% less energy compared to older lights used on campus. We are also using lighting sensors in select areas.
By replacing older lights we are committing to use the best technology with the lowest energy cost. On the downside all fluorescent lamps contain mercury, a toxic heavy metal that affects the nervous system, kidneys, lungs and sensory organs. For this reason it is important to use a licensed recycling facility once the bulb has burned out. USF contracts with an industrial company, but homeowners can recycle fluorescent lamps at Home Depot or Connolly's Do-It-Best. Contact us at Plant@sf.edu or visit the City's energy site.
Other Ways We are Making a Difference
- Using paper towels and toilet paper made from recycled paper products
- Purchasing picnic tables and benches made from recycled plastic bottles
- Using electronic paper towel dispensers in Pope John Paul II Center
- Regulating thermostats and water heaters throughout campus to reduce energy waste
- Replacing standard T12 style fluorescent tubes with even more efficient T8 tubes campus-wide
- Purchasing non-toxic cleaning products when able
- Using rechargeable batteries in lieu of disposable batteries
- Setting electronics to use energy saver features
- Investigating environment friendly options for controlling plant growth around Mirror Lake
- Aerating lawns and regulating frequency and time of day of mowing to reduce air pollution
- Purchasing electric equipment instead of gas, diesel, or kerosene powered when able
- Installing more bicycle racks to encourage commuting by bike
- Installing TPO energy efficient roofing systems
- Sponsoring electronics recycling events for the community
