Taking the LEED:

Sustainable Buildings at the University of South Florida

Team RemarkaBULLS: Cameron Wallace Lead Compiler/Researcher Daniel Casas Interviewer Kyle Kelsh Researcher

Instructor: Dr. Francis Tobienne University of South Florida St. Petersburg 140 Seventh Ave. South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 www.usfsp.edu 11 April 2014

Table of Contents
Executive Summary .................................................................................. 1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 2 USF Going Green ...................................................................................... 3 LEED: The Fundamentals......................................................................... 5 LEED at USF .............................................................................................. 7 USF Making the Grade .............................................................................. 8 Whats the Catch? .................................................................................. 10 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 12 Annotated Bibliography ......................................................................... 13 Works Cited ............................................................................................. 17 Glossary of Terms .................................................................................. 19

Executive Summary
In a world with exploding population rates leading to increased consumption and pollution, a green revolution is taking place. People are coming to terms with the expendability of our planet, and they are deciding to do something about it. The University of South Florida is taking their own stance with the implementation of multiple initiatives in order to do their part to reduce the impact society has on our environment. Among these initiatives are improvements to the parking and traffic situation on campus, the promotion of walking and bicycle use, energy and water consumption management, and recycling. Perhaps the most ambitious yet costly plan is to continue efforts to gain LEED certification on campus buildings. LEED certified buildings are those which have been constructed or retrofitted to meet specific environmentally friendly criteria deemed essential by the U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED at USFSP (Photo: Cameron Wallace)

The benefits of LEED certification are obvious. Environmentally friendly construction, a reduction in consumption, a green image, and dollars saved are all results of pursuing LEED certification (U.S. Green Building Council.) However, there are setbacks to the process, and with contributions from student tuition and taxpayer dollars, those with a vested interest in the University should be informed to both sides of the story. After finishing this article, the reader will walk away with a better understanding of how USF is promoting environmental sustainability. Most importantly, they will be more informed about the LEED certification process which has the potential to be the most significant program, but also the one with the most risk.

Introduction
There is a movement gaining steam, sweeping across our nation with the force of a landslide. The green revolution is taking hold, and some of the pioneers at the forefront are universities and institutions of higher learning which are leading by example and implementing their own models of environmental sustainability. Take a stroll across nearly any university in America and you will see trash bins made of recycled material, solar powered lights, and even hybrid vehicles used by faculty and staff. The University of South Florida is no stranger to these efforts, and they are taking a strong stance in order to do their part to protect the environment. This paper will focus on one particular facet of USFs green effort: LEED certification. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a program designed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The USGBC is a nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through costefficient and energy- saving green buildings (U.S. Green Building Council). With their LEED program, the USGBC has created a way to inspire and recognize outstanding achievements in not only the construction of new building but in the retrofitting of existing ones to meet specific environmental goals. LEED certification is a comprehensive process which, when pursued, results in environmentally friendly buildings that will not only be eco-friendly but can enhance the learning experience itself. Hannah Debelius of the U.S. Green Building Council states that universities achieving LEED certification often use the building as a learning tool. LEED certification, however, is not without any setbacks. As of now, green construction is still more expensive and can be slightly more hazardous than traditional construction. Despite this, the benefits far outweigh the risks, and the University of South Florida has made LEED certification a major part of its green efforts.

A trash and recyclables box on the USFSP campus made from 937 recycled milk cartons. (Photo: Cameron Wallace)

USF Going Green

At the University of South Florida, a focus has been put on exercising a plan to promote environmental stability. This plan includes measures beyond just achieving LEED certification on many of its new, existing, and future buildings. The Office of Sustainability is responsible for coordinating and building partnerships across the university in order to create a sustainable campus environment (University of South Florida). These initiatives are on the heels of a global effort that has, in recent years, become a common thread across many cultures. In the United States, the trend has gathered strong momentum as consumers are becoming more and more conscious of the impact that they are having on the
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environment. Billion dollar corporations are teaming up with environmental organizations, motor vehicle companies are creating more fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles, and manufacturers are constantly designing more ecofriendly packaging. The goal in all of this effort is to curb the damage that we have done to the environment and to set up future generations with a system that promotes the health and longevity of our planet. Some of the initiatives that USF in particular is implementing are outlined by the Patel College of Global Sustainability (University of South Florida): Transportation At the USF Tampa campus, the roads are becoming more bicycle friendly. An increase in oncampus dining and housing is enabling people to stay on campus and commute less. The Universitys bus system is largely run on biodiesel fuel, and the fleet vehicles are increasingly becoming hybrid and fuel efficient. Even the parking situation at both the USF Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses are promoting fuel

efficient vehicles. New parking garages are reducing heat islands, and people driving hybrid vehicles get VIP spots in St. Petersburg. Water The University has put in place efforts for storm water management. Additionally, many buildings across all campuses have been retrofitted with motion sensing faucet and toilet flush valves. Lastly, sensors have been put in place to monitor the weather and adjust water usage patterns accordingly. Energy Energy conservation and recovery have become a focal point at USF. Fluorescent lamps and LED traffic lights are replacing outdated and inefficient bulbs. The Greenlights Program has replaced inefficient light fixtures, and high efficiency chillers have been installed. Additionally, ductwork in buildings has been improved to exceed the standards of Florida Building Code. By simply using less energy and being smarter with the energy they use, USF has reduced its carbon footprint.

Recycling The Universitys Physical Plant currently purchases cleaning products that carry the Green Seal Certified designation. Also on the Physical Plant purchasing list are toilet paper and paper towels made largely from recycled materials. Recycling bins have been placed across all campuses, and in 2009 alone the University recycled over 500 tons of paper (University of South Florida). Lastly, many of the colleges and departments have implemented their own systems to recycle electronic equipment. Student Involvement In 2010, the USF Student Government created the position of Chief Sustainability Officer. There is also a Student Environmental Association, and engineering students have formed an association to improve environmental and economic stability. LEED Perhaps the program which noteworthy of USFs green initiatives is the building design program known as LEED.

LEED: The Fundamentals

In 1993, the U.S. Green Building Council was founded by two men named David Gottfried and Mike Italiano. Their mission was to promote sustainability in the building and construction industry (U.S. Green Building Council). This creed came at a time when people in general had not yet become as environmentally conscious as they are today. It was not until the year 2000, or seven years after the USGBC was founded, that the organization rolled out its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, program. With more than just a clever acronym for a name, LEED certification has evolved into a premier and nationally recognized benchmark in the constant effort for environmental sustainability. LEED works on one basic principle. As a building is either constructed or renovated, there are specific prerequisites which must be satisfied to gain credits. The number of credits earned will determine the level of certification that a building attains. The levels of certification in ascending order
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The Wounded Warrior Project Batallion Headquarters, Camp Pendleton, CA. LEED certified Platinum (Photo: USGBC).

are certified, platinum.

silver,

gold,

and

Several of the categories of credits, deemed by the USGBC as critical are as follows (U.S. Green Building Council): Location and Transportation These are given for sites in more densely populated areas with various transportation options. Materials and Resources Credits are awarded in this category for the use of sustainable materials and for the reduction of waste. Water Efficiency The goal of this credit is to promote water conservation by reducing use through efficient

fixtures and creative water saving measures. Energy and Atmosphere Innovative building strategies take focus here in order to enhance better energy performance. Sustainable Sites Credits are given in this category for building sites that minimize the surrounding environmental resources. With such a comprehensive approach in regards to the variety of credits available in order to gain LEED certification, it is hard to argue the effectiveness of this program. Whether a building attains a simple bottom level certification or they reach the ultimate goal of platinum, the fact remains that it will have a measurably smaller impact on the environment than a traditionally constructed one. This sentiment is shared by organizations across the globe. In fact, the USGBC is not only promoting environmentally sustainability in America, but throughout the world as well. In a graphic published in 2013, the
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USGBC details the growth of environmentally sustainable building designs from every corner of the world. America leads the pack, which is not surprising due to the resources available. China, the UAE, Turkey, and Brazil are also included on this list. One sector is leading the charge with LEED projects, and that is education. Always known for trend setting in innovation, institutions of higher learning have adopted LEED as a way to do their part in environmental sustainability. The University of South Florida is one such institution that has taken LEED certification seriously and is undertaking projects to reach that goal.

(Image: USGBC)

LEED at USF
As noted earlier, the University of South Florida is taking a strong stance on environmental sustainability through the implementation of multiple initiatives. Among these is the pursuit of LEED certification across all of its campuses. To date, the University has multiple buildings certified by the USGBC as LEED compliant. So far, the LEED program has received a positive reception. Allyssa Vinson, and Education Partnership Coordinator at USF, says Overall its a very interesting project and the USGBC does a lot of great work going to Washington and fighting for green efforts. Science Building and Technology

The Science and Technology Building at USFSP: LEED Certified Gold (Photo: Cameron Wallace)

second highest level of building certification in the LEED process Patel Center for Global Solutions In 2011, the Patel Center for Global Solutions opened its doors at the Tampa Campus. Certified Gold, the building meet stringent requirements set forth by the USGBC. It boasts a 30,000 gallon storage tank designed to collect rain water and condensation from the air conditioning system. These types of innovations are what make the LEED program unique and effective in its environmental sustainability efforts. In addition to the projects that have already been completed and certified, many projects are in the works at USF which is further evidence of the Universitys commitment to LEED certification.
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In January of 2010, the Science and Technology Building was opened at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. The building cost $12 million, and was funded by tax dollars gathered from utility services on utilities. Due to the planning, materials, and design used in construction, the building was certified by the USGBC as LEED level Gold. Gold is the

USF Making the Grade

The University of South Florida is not unique in its efforts to achieve and maintain a high level of sustainability across its areas of operation. Although Florida did not even rank in the top ten for LEED oriented states in 2013, it is useful to compare USF to others schools located in the state (U.S. Green Building Council). In an ever increasing environmentally conscious society, students may desire to attend green schools instead of schools they do not perceive as such. Some of the other schools in Florida and their LEED programs are as follows: University of Florida The University of Florida, located in Gainesville, started their LEED ambitions several years prior to USF. In 2001, UF adopted LEED criteria for the design and construction of all new renovation projects and construction. In 2006, they decided that all new projects must meet LEED silver standards. This was further refined to meet gold in 2009, and by 2013 they raised the bar even further with an expectation to meet LEED certification level platinum. To
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date, UF has several LEED certified buildings completed or in the process of completion, including three at platinum, 26 at gold, and 11 at silver (University of Florida). Florida State University As part of their program for campus sustainability, Florida State University is utilizing the LEED program in order to enhance environmentally friendly design and construction. The first LEED certified building at FSU was completed in 2009, and was awarded silver level certification. As of 2012, FSU had completed nine LEED buildings with several more registered with the USGBC as in progress (Florida State University). University of Miami The University of Miami has shown commitment to environment sustainability through their focus on the LEED program. Beginning in 2007, UM began the process of constructing and renovating to meet the criteria for LEED certification. Their goal is to meet, at a minimum, a LEED rating of silver. As of 2010, they had certified 433,000 square

Florida Higher Education LEED Programs

Number of LEED Certifications (Any Level)
25 20 15 10 5 0 USF UF FSU UM UT SPC

St. Petersburg College St. Petersburg College, with multiple campuses all across Pinellas County Florida including one within 20 miles of USFSP, has instituted a policy that all new construction and renovation projects must meet LEED criteria. To date, SPC has achieved LEED certification on three buildings. These include the Veterinary Technology center and the Student Services Center (St. Petersburg College). In terms of the number of LEED certified buildings it has on its campuses, USF stacks up well. They exceed the national average of approximately one per campus (Hannah Debelius). Although they are not the state leader in LEED, USF will remain committed to the program. According to the Office of Sustainability at USF, one of the Universitys strategic goals is building a sustainable campus environment (University of South Florida.) With this in mind, it can be expected that many more LEED certified buildings will be certified through brand new construction or through the renovation of existing buildings.
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University or College
(Graph: Cameron Wallace)

feet of green building space, and they are in the process of doing the same for an additional 700,000 (University of Miami). University of Tampa The University of Tampa has shown its green initiative through the certification of two buildings with LEED criteria. Their Dickey Health and Wellness Center and Science Annex are certified silver and gold, respectively. These certifications were achieved using recycled construction materials, efficient lighting, low flow water fixtures, individual temperature controls, and high quality paints and finishes (The University of Tampa).

(Image: USGBC)

Whats the Catch?

Pursuing and achieving LEED certification at the University of South Florida has numerous advantages. These include long term savings on energy and water usage, protecting the environment, and enhancing the Universitys green image. There are, however, downsides to LEED which when studying its use at USF cannot be overlooked. Cost In a down economy such as the one the United States is facing now, serious consideration is put into any new building or renovation project. This is especially true when taxpayers are footing the bill. LEED construction is more expensive than traditional construction methods. Materials
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such solar panels, insulated windows, and efficient fixtures all come at a premium cost. The additional investment in them needed in comparison to traditional construction materials must be justifiable by long term reduction on operating and maintenance costs. Additionally, green buildings cost more to plan and design which in turn can cause to total cost to rise even further (Issa, M.H. et. al. 1). A group of authors from several Universities in Canada conducted research on the long term costs of construction, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of green school buildings built to LEED standards (Issa, M.H. et. al. 1). Their findings were that although LEED buildings were indeed more expensive to plan for, design, and construct; total costs over the life of buildings were projected to be up to 25% lower in new LEED buildings and up to 11% lower in retrofitted buildings (Issa, M.H. et. al. 1). Worker Safety Constructing in a manner to attain LEED credits includes

inherent risks. Additionally, these risks are present in retrofitting buildings to meet LEED criteria. One such hazard to workers is the installation and maintenance of solar panels on rooftops (Gambatese and Tyvios 48). Increased time one the roof leads to a higher risk of falling. Additionally, Gambatese and Tyvios argue that the use of recycled material poses risks due to such characteristics as jagged edges and exposed rebar. There are, however, some aspects of LEED construction that are safer for workers than traditional construction. Low VOC paints let off less toxic fumes and in turn reduce worker susceptibility to inhaling dangerous chemicals. Carlos Sanango, a project engineer at PCL Construction Services in the Tampa Bay area, agrees. He states that LEED paint requirements will expect much less [VOC] which is not only better for the environment, but uses less dangerous chemical material. Slow Return on Investment One of the primary expectations of any LEED certified building is that it will use less
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energy and water. This is achieved through the installation of energy efficient light bulbs, touch free hand dryers which shut off automatically, low flow or waterless urinals, and other such fixtures. These features of a LEED certified building cost more than traditional fixtures, and some may argue that the initial investment is not worth the wait it takes to see long term savings. Despite the initial cost to install efficient fixtures, they will eventually pay for themselves. How long this takes is unique on a case by case basis, however the evidence supports the notion that in the long run LEED construction and retrofitting will save USF money. In a research study done by several member of the Air Force Institute of Technology, statistical analysis showed that the LEED certified buildings in their study incurred an average of 31% lower energy costs (Nyikos, et.al 55). Granted, this reduction in energy usage will not be identical for all LEED buildings, however the evidence is overwhelmingly in support of achieving LEED certification from a long term savings standpoint.

Conclusion
The apparent shift towards a more environmentally conscious society is nowhere more evident than on college campuses across not only the United States but the world over. This is no accident. Hannah Debelius, manager for the USGBC Students program at their Center for Green Schools stated that last year 62% of incoming Freshman took sustainability into account when choosing where to attend college. For institutions of higher education, the importance of going green has never been more important. This is especially true as a tool to recruit students for enrollment. At the University of South, students and faculty alike are taking their own stance on environmental sustainability. Green initiatives dot campuses across the entire USF system of schools. Student participation is evident through such programs as SGEF, or Student Green Energy Fund, which is funded through a small fee on tuition. The program with the loftiest goals in pursuit of environmental sustainability is

Green Initiatives at USFSP (Photo: Cameron Wallace)

perhaps the Universitys involvement in the LEED program. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a program which, through its pursuit by USF, yields buildings that are safer for the environment and save the University money in the long run. The program, however, is not without setbacks. The cost to plan and build in accordance with LEED is more substantial than traditional construction methods. Additionally, LEED construction poses unique safety hazards to workers. Despite the evident setbacks, the positives of LEED far outweigh the negatives. These buildings not only will save the University money, but they will support its green initiatives and bolster its green image in our ever increasing environmentally conscious society.
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Annotated Bibliography
Debelius, Hannah. Personal Interview. 11 Apr. 2014. This interview provided a valuable inside perspective from the U.S. Green Building Council. Hannah Debelius is a manager for the Students Program at the Center for Green Schools at the USGBC. Florida State University. Sustainable Campus: Green Building. n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. The website for Florida State University provided information about their LEED building efforts. Gambatese, John, and Nicholas Tymvios. Leed Credits: How They Affect Construction Worker Safety. The American Society of Safety Engineers. (2012) : 42-52. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. This article provided information about some of the drawbacks in the LEED certification process. Most notably, the article discussed safety hazards posed to workers which are associated with LEED construction. Issa, M.H., et al. Detailed Analysis of the Construction, Operating, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation Costs of Green Toronto Schools.
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Journal of Architectural Engineering. 19.1 Mar 2013. Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. This article provided information regarding costs associated with LEED construction, operation, and maintenance. Although the study was performed in Canada, LEED criteria are universal. Therefore, this article was relevant to LEED costs at USF. Nyikos, David, Alfred Thal, Michael Hicks, and Sonia Leach. To LEED or Not to LEED: Analysis of Cost Premiums Associated With Sustainable Facility Design. Engineering Management Journal. 24.4. (2012) 50-62. Academic Search Premiere. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. This article focuses on one very important part of LEED certification, and that is the cost of operating LEED certified buildings. The findings of the authors was that LEED buildings use substantially lower amounts of energy than traditionally constructed buildings. Sanango, Carlos. Personal Interview. 01 April 14 Mr. Sanago is a Project Engineer at PCL Construction Services. His interview provided valuable firsthand insight into the construction industry and his thoughts on LEED construction. His general attitude
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towards LEED is positive, and he is of the opinion that the program saves institutions money in the long run. St. Petersburg College. Office for Sustainability: Sustainable Design. 2012. Web. 9 April 2012. The website for St. Petersburg College provided information regarding their pursuit of LEED certification and with other general information regarding their green efforts. The University of Tampa. Sustainability: LEED Certifications. n.d. Web. 9 April 2014. The website of the University of Tampa gave insight to their sustainability efforts. In particular, information was available regarding their participation in LEED construction. University of Florida. UF Planning, Design & Construction: Green Building. n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. This is the website for the University of Florida which provided information about the Universitys LEED efforts. University of Miami. UM Projects: Green Building Home. 2010. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.
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The website for the University of Miami gave insight into their green efforts and more specifically their pursuit of LEED certification. University of South Florida. Patel College of Global Sustainability. 2014.Web. 9 Apr. 2014 The website for the Patel College of Global Sustainability provided information on all facets of USFs green efforts. This included details on not only LEED efforts, but student involvement and U.S. Green Building Council. LEED. 2014. Web. 09 apr. 2014. This is the website for the U.S. Green Building Council. The USGBC is the organization that issues LEED certifications. This website provided essential information regarding LEED as well as the table located on Page 6 and image on Page 10. Vinson, Alyssa. Personal Interview. 01 Apr. 14 Alyssa Vinson is an Education Partnership Coordinator at USF. She was able to provide a perspective from a faculty member at the University.

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Works Cited
Debelius, Hannah. Personal Interview. 11 Apr. 2014. Florida State University. Sustainable Campus: Green Building. n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. Gambatese, John, and Nicholas Tymvios. Leed Credits: How They Affect Construction Worker Safety. The American Society of Safety Engineers. (2012) : 42-52. Academic Search Premier. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. Issa, M.H., et al. Detailed Analysis of the Construction, Operating, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation Costs of Green Toronto Schools. Journal of Architectural Engineering. 19.1 Mar 2013. Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. Nyikos, David, Alfred Thal, Michael Hicks, and Sonia Leach. To LEED or Not to LEED: Analysis of Cost Premiums Associated With Sustainable Facility Design. Engineering Management Journal. 24.4. (2012) 50-62. Academic Search Premiere. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. Sanango, Carlos. Personal Interview. 01 April 14

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St. Petersburg College. Office for Sustainability: Sustainable Design. 2012. Web. 9 April 2012. The University of Tampa. Sustainability: LEED Certifications. n.d. Web. 9 April 2014. University of Florida. UF Planning, Design & Construction: Green Building. n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. University of Miami. UM Projects: Green Building Home. 2010. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. University of South Florida. Patel College of Global Sustainability. 2014.Web. 9 Apr. 2014 U.S. Green Building Council. LEED. 2014. Web. 09 apr. 2014. Vinson, Alyssa. Personal Interview. 02 April 14

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Glossary of Terms
LEED USGBC USF USFSP VOC Green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design U.S. Green Building Council University of South Florida University of South Florida St. Petersburg Volatile Organic Compound A colloquial term used to describe environmental sustainability

The Bull at USFSP (Photo: Cameron Wallace) 19