SUSTAINABILITY BY MARQUETTE

Marquette participates in the State of Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program, which deals with energy efficiency and renewable energy. It is administered by the State Department of Administration. As a result of the improvements made, Marquette University has reduced its annual energy use by the equivalency of 1,547,000 kilowatt hours and its annual water consumption by the equivalency of 13,462,000 gallons. Over the last several years Marquette has invested $7 million in energy and water efficiency improvements. The goals of this initiative include:

Reduce the amount of energy consumed by mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, components and fixtures, thereby producing a corresponding reduction in energy costs.
Enhance the physical environment of buildings’ rooms and spaces.
Address deferred maintenance issues related to individual system components.
Improve maintainability and functionality of HVAC controls and systems.
Generate savings to support the implementation of the proposed actions and to ultimately help fund deferred maintenance needs.

The reduction of energy consumption does not always result in reduction of comfort or convenience. Some of the additional benefits to the university from this initiative include:

Replacing 40-watt fluorescent tubes with 34-watt fluorescent tubes did not reduce lighting levels in rooms. The 34-watt tubes are more energy efficient and produce as much light as do the old tubes. The tubes also have a neutral chromaticity and color rendering index nearer that of natural sunlight, making the illumination more visually appealing. The light levels in many areas increased following the mass replacement of tubes since the existing old tubes had a diminished light output due to their age.
Individual room environmental conditions were not negatively affected by modifications to the HVAC systems. In many cases there is an improvement in control and consistency of space temperatures.
Greater control and automation of system controls permit scheduled operation of HVAC systems, one of the sources of energy savings. In locations where systems did run continuously, the application of scheduled operation results in downtime previously not encountered by occupants. Alternative system schedules positively impact savings.

This demonstrates that Marquette is acting responsibly relative to energy consumption. The university employs many other mechanisms to promote “green” contributions. The following provide a summary of these additional efforts.

Steam

Steam is used for all heating on campus. Steam is a highly efficient form of energy, specifically compared to natural gas or electricity.

Construction

As the university looks at new building construction or renovations to existing buildings, energy efficient designs and construction plans are pursued for the facilities. All building projects strive to:

Choose environmentally responsible materials for construction.
Incorporate daylight as much as possible in the design.
Explore cooling and heating methods that conserve energy.
Use the earth’s resources responsibly.
Construct buildings for long term sustainable use.

Cognizant of the need to keep a balance between cost and efficiencies, Marquette does its best to be a good steward with its resources and the environment.

Rain Garden

The Marquette University rain garden is located to the south of Helfaer Theater. The idea for the rain garden originated from students in a class at the College of Engineering. Four downspouts on this building were disconnected from the combined sewer system. This reduces the burden on the sewer system, assisting in the reduction of raw sewage being released into Lake Michigan during occasions of heavy rain. The rain water is diverted through trenches to the garden that is located approximately 75 feet from the building. Plantings were chosen so that they will bloom throughout Wisconsin’s growing season. Funding for the garden came through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and university sources.

Computer Replacement

Marquette contracts with a vendor for redeployment and disposal of its computer equipment. The vendor rebuilds computers removed from Marquette’s inventory and donates them to organizations in need, thus extending the useful life of the computing equipment. All other equipment is disposed of in accordance with federal and state environmental laws.

Virtual Servers and Blade Technology

The university is implementing virtual server technology with our partner, HP. This technology maximizes the efficiency of the university’s enterprise servers.

Recycling

For the period of May 2007 through August 2007, 226 tons of recyclables were collected. From May 2006 through August 2006, 232 tons of recyclables were collected. The percentage of waste stream recycled during the summer of 2007 is approximately 19%. Over the past several years, the university has consistently been in the lower twenties for the percentage of waste stream that is recycled. This appears to continue to be the case.
For the second year efforts to capture more cardboard occurred during residential hall move-in through more intensive collection methods by the grounds and trucking staff. Separate cardboard recycling containers were placed at each hall.

The university will continue to work toward the 30% recycling goal.
A pamphlet sharing information on how the community can contribute to recycling is in progress and will be distributed during the month of October. This will reinforce the recycling program and get the campus community to continue to think about recycling.

"Paper Only” stickers have been placed on virtually all desk-side and classroom recycling containers. It is hoped that more paper will be captured in this manner.

Recycle furnishings and fixtures

The university routinely offers furnishings no longer needed to either other non-profit entities such as schools or it makes them available for a nominal sum to employees.

Working with student organizations

Students for an Environmentally Active Campus (SEAC) is working with the AMU, Raynor Library, MUSG, Sodexho and Stone Creek Coffee to distribute clips for back packs plus a certificate to purchase a reusable mug for a quarter at any Brew on campus.

Copiers

New multifunction copier devices default to double-sided copying.
Documents to electronic based. Administrative paperwork is gradually being converted to electronic transfer versus hard copies. The Approval to Recruit form is now paperless. Numerous other university hard copy documents are being reviewed for similar application. The Offices of Finance and University Advancement are using electronic imaging to store documents, reducing paper and storage concerns.

On-line surveys

Surveys that previously produced reams of paper are now paperless.

Transportation

All undergraduates are automatically enlisted into the UPASS program which entitles students to unlimited access to the Milwaukee County Transit System. In the spring of 2007, 6,819 students were eligible for the program and 7,242 students for the fall of 2007. Forty-one employees are currently enrolled in a similar program for employees.

The university also encourages car pooling by allowing employees and students to share a permit between multiple vehicles if they are carpooling.