UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Sustainability

Physical Plant Successes in Energy Efficiency for 2018

In 2018 the physical plant department continued its commitment to strategic energy management through a program of monitoring and improving energy efficiency throughout campus. In partnership with the Energy Trust of Oregon, the efforts made by physical plant staff resulted in a significant reduction of kilowatts of electricity, thermal units of natural gas, and over $25,000 of savings in combined utility costs.

Major efforts such as renovations to Buckley Center and Waldschmidt Hall, the decentralization of the campus boiler system, and systematic change to LED lighting across campus are prominent examples of sustainable energy management. Just as significant are the seemingly small but progressive changes such as adjustments of boiler set points, sealing of windows and doors to minimize air leakage, and systemized maintenance of HVAC equipment to increase efficiency.

The momentum of sustainable energy management continues into this year. Energy assessments of academic and administrative buildings, dormitories, athletic, and recreational buildings continue to provide a detailed perspective of the University’s energy usage and further action is currently under development to increase efficiency and savings.

For more information contact Todd Yuratich, physical plant, at x7308 or yuratich@up.edu.

An Earth Day Challenge: What Can You Do To Help?

This April, Fr. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C. and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Sustainability (PACOS) are challenging the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Portland to make a commitment to take at least one tangible step that is within your own control toward increasing sustainability on campus.

Turn off your office lights? Use a reusable container for your lunch? Recycle your bottles and plastics? Adjust your thermostat? Regardless of your academic major, or whether you work in a classroom, residence hall, the Commons, or in the field or in an office, you can make a difference.

All through the month, we’re asking you to make a commitment and share it with us. It might be something you choose to do individually or a challenge you take on as a team within your dorm or department. Inspire others! Share your commitments via sustainability@up.edu. Then we’ll share them with the rest of the UP community through The Beacon, upbeat, and on our website.

At the end of the month, the most impactful sustainability commitment will be recognized and the individual or team who made the commitment will be featured in various campus media. Have questions? E-mail us or look for the PACOS table in the Bauccio Commons on Earth Day, April 22.

 

University of Portland Named Champion of Sustainability

UPsolarpowerThe University of Portland will be honored as a Champion of Sustainability by McKinstry, a full-service, consulting, construction, energy, and facility services firm with offices around the country. The award will be announced during the November 15 Seahawks game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash.

In partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, the annual Champions of Sustainability program recognizes one organization during each regular-season home game that exhibits a forward-looking approach to innovative energy and waste reduction in the built environment.

Sustainability is a hallmark at UP. Shiley Hall is LEED Platinum certified; Fields and Schoenfeldt Halls are LEED Gold certified; and the Clark Library is LEED Silver certified. Bon Appétit partners with local farmers when possible, and the University’s biodiesel processor converts used vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel. The University was also the first college or university on the West Coast to eliminate disposable plastic water bottles in 2010.

For more information contact marketing and communications at 7202 or mktg@up.edu.

Oregon Drive Less Challenge, Oct. 6-17

1bikes150Faculty, staff, and students who would like to take part in local sustainability efforts have a great opportunity through the 2014 Oregon Drive Less Challenge, which runs from Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 17. Oregon drivers travel approximately 33.1 billion vehicle miles annually, at a cost of $1.4 billion in gasoline, which produces 14 million metric tons of CO2, according to Drive Less Connect, which offers an online ride-matching tool. In 2013, the Oregon Department of Transpor­tation urged Oregonians to take fewer drive-alone trips to reduce carbon emissions, reduce traffic, and introduce new users to alternate travel options. In its first year, the Drive Less Challenge exceeded its half-million vehicle mile reduction goal in 12 days. This year’s challenge aims to eliminate one million vehicle miles traveled in 14 days. Interested UP community members can sign up and find out more at http://www.drivelessconnect.com.