USFSP GOES GREEN

USFSP GOES GREENJune 172015Compilators:Kristen Worrell ENC 3250.79U15Lead Interviewer & Compiler Professor F. TobienneJack ZygadloLead Researcher & Editor Liting Zhu Lead ResearcherTEAM GREEN & GOLD

Table of ContentsExecutive SummaryIntroductionHistory of USFSPGreen Movement Green Movement is NecessaryUSFSP Sustainability & ProjectsUSFSP Sustainability Department Sustainable Goals Waste Management Transportation USFSP Solar Panels Derivative of Solar Panels LEED Buildings on CampusRecyclable EnergyOther Universities Work on Going GreenGoing Green ChallengesInterviewConclusionGlossary of TermsWorks CitedAnnotated BibliographyExecutive Summary-Kristen WorrellThe University of South Florida opened in 1965 and ever since then it has been a growing success. The St. Petersburg Campus became an official branch in 1969 and today it is becoming one of the leaders in Sustainability. Many projects have been introduced to USFSP but only a handful has been able to be implemented due to the limited funds that the Student Green Energy Fund produces. The most popular Green Project is the Duke Energy Solar Panel Project, which is a one million dollar grant to build solar panels on top of one of the parking garages on the St. Petersburg Campus, along with a battery to store energy that will be kept in the basement. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg has a goal of becoming carbon neutral, and has many projects and action plans which are mentioned in this report to help achieve that goal. Many Universities across America are becoming active in this Green Movement and hopefully in time, the environment can slowly recuperate from the damage that has been dealt over the past decades.

Introduction-Kristen WorrellThis report is to inform the readers about the Sustainability projects that the University of South Florida St. Petersburg is conducting to better the environment. The Earths environmental status is poor, due to the ever growing population and production advancements in developing countries. Carbon Dioxide emissions are at an all time high and it is more important than ever for the Green Movement to become successful. With that being said, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg has noticed and has taken action to better its carbon footprint. This report focuses on the green movement that USFSP has joined and the different projects it has taken up, mainly the new Duke Energy Solar Panel Project. This report also brings to light other colleges in America that have taken up the Green Movement.

History of University of South Florida St. Petersburg-Jack Zygadlo

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg is a an urban research university located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg opened its doors on , September 5, 1965, with its first freshmen class starting on September 7,1965. The classes for the first freshmen were held in the marine barracks on the edge of campus. They were also shuttled back and forth between the Tampa campus so that they could take additional classes there. The Florida Legislature officially made the University of South Florida St. Petersburg an official branch campus in 1969. In 1970, upper-level undergraduate and some graduate level classes began to be offered.

Another monumental step for the University of South Florida St. Petersburg occurred in 2002, when the Florida Legislature officially made USFSP a separately accredited institution of the University of South Florida system. The process of obtaining separate accreditation started in the late 1990s. The first residence hall on campus started breaking ground in 2005, and officially opened the year later, which marked a significant milestone in the beginning of the transformation of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. The student union on campus opened in 2012, along with an additional residence hall.

The Green Movement

Green Movement is Necessary- Liting ZhuEnvironmental pollution in America has been a source of worry for the government such that it has been compelled to take precautionary measures for environmental conservation. Excess emissions from companies and radioactivity have greatly influenced global warming. There have been repeated calls to make use of the solar energy that is more environmentally friendly production. The Green Movement was established to keep and preserve a beautiful and friendly environment in America, which is a popular movement urging production and use of environmentally harmless consumer goods, and move as sustainable goals. Its effort has greatly been of help and have been supported by many and described as the solution to environmental conservation and reduction of global warming. University of South Florida has highly supported this movement in the efforts to use green technology through the introduction of advanced green buildings, technology, transportation, and diminution of carbon footprints that has projected the universities popularity and sustainability up.

USFSP Sustainability & Projects

University of South Florida St. Petersburgs Sustainability Department- Jack ZygadloThe Department of Sustainability is a division of Facilities Services on campus. The Department of Sustainability was first established to be a central location for the campus community for all green and sustainable ideas and efforts. The purpose of the Office of Sustainability is to serve as an advising center for all university efforts that involved the sustainability, the campus environment, and the use of energy efficiency (About Sustainable USFSP, 4). The Department of sustainability also has many specific responsibilities as they relate to the overall university.

They are responsible for leading and coordinating STARS 2.0 (AASHE), conducting Greenhouse Gas Inventories and creating a Climate Action Plan to comply with the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, planning for LEED certification for all new construction, assisting student organizations such as SGEF and CERCC, and maintaining the revolving green fund (About Sustainable USFSP, 5). The Department of Sustainability also maintains the University of South Florida St. Petersburgs membership in three professional green organizations- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, LEED Building Council, and the Signatory of American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Sustainable goals at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg- Jack Zygadlo

As the University of South Florida St. Petersburg is expanding, a new strategic plan has been unveiled, and its implementation has started. A main goal of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg is to expand to a total student population of 10,000. Strategic goal #5 is centered around Infrastructure to meet current and future needs (Strategic Plan, 10). Goal 5.3 is related to going green, and states Promote and support environmentally sustainable practices (Strategic Plan, 10). As the University of South Florida St. Petersburg expands, sustainability is on their minds, as they wish to be a leader in the green college environment. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg was actually ranked in Princeton Reviews Green Colleges Guide.Some indicators of performance that have been met by the University of South Florida St. Petersburg includes a reduction in the universitys carbon footprint and positive feedback from students, faculty, and staff about collaboration, infrastructure, shared governance, campus climate and teaching technologies. Some other indicators of performance from outside of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg include the meeting of certain expectations from the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Waste Management-Jack Zygadlo

The disposal of waste on the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus is one that spans multiple departments. The Department of Sustainability, however, has played a large role. Along with the Student Green Energy Fund, the Department of Sustainability has installed around 20 new waste bins around campus (Waste Management, 4). They are split, so there is a slot for trash, as well as a separate slot for all recyclables. Around 90% of the new waste bins were paid for by the Student Green Energy Fund, with the other 10% being paid for by the University of South Florida St. Petersburg's Student Government (Waste Management, 4). Below is an image of the new waste bins .

Another department on campus that the Department of Sustainability has collaborated with for innovate waste management solutions is the Campus Computing office. As is pretty much common knowledge, computer parts are hard to dispose of, as they are made of toxic materials, and it is not good for the environment for computer parts to sit in a landfill. Some responsibilities that have arose based on the collaboration between Campus Computing and the Department of Sustainability are recycling for small electronics (cell phones, printer cartridges, and and batteries), recycling for all computer parts through partnership with local recycling centers,the automatic powering off of idle classroom computers and lab computers, and the purchase of all recycled paper for all campus needs.

Transportation To and From Campus-Jack Zygadlo

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg is committed to making the transportation options sustainable for the campus community. The solar panel parking garage array, which is discussed elsewhere in this white paper, is achieving its goal of making the parking garage building self-sufficient energy wise.

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg has two innovative programs for transportation sharing options. The Enterprise Car Share Program was the universitys first car sharing program, and its first transportation sharing program. The program involved multiple partnerships between the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), the Florida Department of Transportation, and Enterprise Rental Car Company (Transportation, 1). An advantage of the Enterprise Car Share program is that any student over the age of 18 may take advantage of the program. In normal circumstances, the minimum age for renting a car is 25 years old. Car Sharing is environmentally friendly. A study found that car sharing in Washington DC has resulted in a 50% drop in overall car usage (Ortega, 3). Car sharing also helps because, when users are not using cars, they are most likely using public transportation, which is environmentally friendly (Ortega, 4).

Starting in January of 2015, Bike-A-Bull is a new bike sharing program for students at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Bike sharing is extremely environmentally friendly because there are no emissions given off by a bike. Also, personal fitness can be achieved by using a bike as a regular method of transportation. Another transportation sharing program is the PSTA U-Pass Program. All USFSP students can take public transportation in Pinellas County for free. Public transportation usage in Pinellas County is up year-to-year, as ridership expands. Public transportation is more environmentally friendly that driving a personal vehicle, thus helping USFSP implements its goal of going green.

USFSP Solar Panels-Liting ZhuThe university, sponsored by the Duke Energy, installed a one million dollars solar array on top of a parking garage at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. The solar panels are expected to absorb all the excess power and store it in a large battery placed in the basement. It is estimated that over two hundred kilowatts of energy, will be collected through the three hundred and eighteen solar panels. The power will be stored in the basement battery and later be used around the campus, which has been highlighted as one of its sustainability goals (Blais, 2014). The solar panels will bring zero emission of harmful energy that affect the environment and hence helping the future generations against the effects of global warming.

In addition, these solars would help in abolishment of power stations around the school. This is because, the solar panels absorb power and store the excess in the batteries. This means that when there is no solar energy like at night or when it is raining, the energy stored can be efficiently used to supply power around the institution. Moreover, University of South Florida St Petersburg, has started the study of how solar energy is produced. This is because they have future plans of producing and exporting solar energy. To aid in this endeavor, Duke Energy provided the University with a grant of five hundred thousand dollars. The completion of the solar array means that the institution will save on its electric charges by more than twenty thousand dollars annually (Clarke et al, 1994). This just shows how solar energy is cheap and should be adopted by everyone.

Derivative of Solar Panels-Liting ZhuThe annual production of energy in this solar array is expected to be around one hundred and sixty four thousand kilowatts produced in an area of approximately seven thousand, one hundred square feet and maximizing on space since it will be installed above a parking lot. Moreover, a student run fund, dubbed Student Green Energy Fund has been created to ensure that students projects supporting or promoting Green Energy are funded properly. For example, fitness and recreational centers that utilize green energy have been introduced around the institution through students' projects (Tobienne, 2013). The fund, set up in 2011, accrued and was used for purchasing among other things, a net zero treadmill, electricity producing cycles, elliptical machines, hybrid trucks, sailing regattas and it was also the same cash that paid for the installation of solar charging stations around the institution.

In addition, there are device charging stations established around the institution to ensure that students and the faculty can be able to charge their phones using the solar powered energy. These stations are installed with charging ports fixed on a table and has lightings enabled to ensure that the service is a twenty four hour plan. Moreover, the solar energy has been used for water conservation and water heating (Tobienne, 2013).

LEED Buildings on Campus- Liting ZhuThe efforts of the University of South Florida St Petersburg cant be fully acknowledged without the mention of the green building. This is a thirty five square foot Science and Technology building which was the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building to get certified in the university given by the United States green building council. The commission awards buildings that decrease operational costs, reduce waste, decrease greenhouse emissions and conserve water and energy. According to the officers, the construction of this building saw approximately eighty five of the waste that would have otherwise been thrown away as waste recycled. Moreover, there is an insulated roof that can reflect heat, has glass that emits lower amounts of harmful substances, water efficient fixtures and save approximately eighty thousand dollars annually in energy costs (Tobienne, 2013). The University has continued to increase the number of Leadership in Energy and Environmentally Designed buildings in the campus. It has also sought certification from the environment board about its student center that has recently been constructed with the same designs as the others. The University also prides itself in the introduction of transport and mobility alternatives in the form of Nissan cubes that produce lower amounts of harmful carbon making the environment around the institution very conducive. In addition, the automobiles were expected to reduce the need for students and faculty to attend classes while driving themselves hence reducing congestion and keeping the environment clean. Visually, the university has been able to advocate and run a beautification program where a number of trees were planted and make it to be termed one of the greenest campuses.

Recyclable Energy- Liting ZhuWater conservation towards a greener and cleaner environment has also been a key activity at USFSP. The administration through its sustainability office has been conducting residential sensitization and has also installed taps flowing with water, which serves an estimated seven thousand gallons of water per year. Water reclamation is not needed for irrigation since there are trees planted all over the school landscape. Moreover, the schools partnered with the progress energy about the program meant to recycle energy obtained from solar power and stored in the batteries. This power would hence be used in times when there is a very high demand for energy. This was the Sustainable Electrical Energy Delivery System, (SEEDS), that was launched in the year 2008. The mandate of SEEDS was to utilize that renewable energy (Tobienne, 2013).

Other Universities Work On Going Green-Liting ZhuOther state universities have also not missed out on developing their sustainability programs aimed at supporting The Green Movement. Most of these Universities have gone ahead to adding the Green Fees to their total fees to help in funding green movement projects. However, some have also taken the initiative already like the University of South Florida St Petersburg and started creating alternative sources of power that are more environment friendly. For example, Florida Gulf Coast University that is designated at Fort Myers, Florida, installed a two megawatt solar energy system on a sixteen acre field in the year 2010. The ten thousand and eighty solar panels generate enough electricity to power over five hundred households. [The University created a public-private partnership with Regenesis Power that resulted in the setting up of the seventeen million dollar project. The solar energy field will save the institution a lump sum amount of money of overtwenty two million dollars in the next quarter of a century. The power charges are thereby expected to drop with over ninety percent (Florida, 2009). The Educational Alliance of Sustainable Florida (EASF) has many of these colleges on their list of members and their goal is to help create a more sustainable Florida (Educational Alliance,2015)

Wind energy is being turned onas a sustainability strategy and a way of going green by other universities. For example, the University of Vermont constructed and installed a ten kilowatt wind turbine on its compound. The turbine is expected to produce approximately five thousand kilowatt/hours annually. This energy is thought to be enough to light an energy efficient household for a year (Tobienne, 2013). Another institution that has made efforts in going green, is the Ball State University situated in Indiana. Ball State University introduced geothermal energy in place of coal fired burners in the year 2009. The new system has saved them approximately two million dollars annually. Moreover, Ball State University was the first to build such a geothermal station. The station supplies energy to over fifty buildings that are within the margin of six hundred acres around the campus. This project has been very effective in going green because over seventy five thousand tons of harmful carbon are being saved from releasing into the air. This is a project that cost the institution approximately seventy million dollars in cash to complete this project.

Going Green Challenges-Liting ZhuThere have been numerous efforts to go green by various institutions around the United States. However, all these efforts have also encountered numerous challenges. One of the main challenge with environmental going green is cost (Clarke et al, 1994). To produce environmentally friendly energy like the solar or wind energy, it is very costly. Moreover, environmental conservation through renewable means also has to incur costs (Clarke et al, 1994). This has been the major encounter and this is why schools have been increasing fees to include the green energy fee (Clarke et al, 1994). In addition Clarke (1994), notes that environmental regulation stimulates international competitiveness which leads to more innovation into more ways of producing green energy. This means that the American government is not doing enough to regulate this sector. For example, it can make it a requirement that every school should come up with its own project to produce environmental friendly energy.

InterviewInterview with David Vasquez: (Sustainability, 2015)

Position: Student Green Energy Fund Vice ChairKristen: What is your role in USF going green?

David: I started off with the Student Environmental Awareness Society (SEAS) club which became my window into everything. I then started to attend suggest meetings, which are meetings where students create a presentation to promote a new green project. A board of four students and four faculty members then vote on the presentations to see if they will be elected or not. I then became an intern of the Office of Sustainability under Jennifer Winter. And last semester I was the Student Green Energy Fund Vice Chair and hope to further my position by the time I graduate in December 2015. I also helped create the USFSP Sustainability website, along with creating the promotion video for the Duke Energy Solar Panel Project.

Kristen: What are your thoughts on the Duke Energy Solar Panel project?

David: I am really excited about it because it will become the biggest solar panel system in St. Petersburg with the battery storage system that will be kept in the basement. Duke Energy also donated energy kiosks to put around campus to inform the students how much energy is being collected and how much money the University is saving from this project. There are seven kiosks located around the St. Petersburg campus, one of which is in the library.

Kristen: What is your favorite green project?

David: Definitely the Solar Panels because of the unique battery storage that we will be equipped with.

Kristen: What do you know about the Kate Tiedmans College of Business that the University is planning on building?

David: The University is planning on becoming USGCB certified LEED gold for the new College of Business building. Some special features that they will be using include: Natural lighting by the use of special glass that reflects heat Native landscaping around the building, so that watering the plants will be kept to a minimum All of the lighting inside the building will be LED light bulbsKristen: What are some of the future green projects the University has in store?

David: The University is going to create a Climate Action Plan to help become carbon neutral. First the University needs to set up a greenhouse gas inventory which will take a process of two years. The University plans on creating curriculum, a Sustainability minor to be exact. A garden food forest is also going to be created to help inform people about urban agriculture and help them become sustainable in the sense of not having to go to the grocery store to obtain fruits and vegetables. And the last project that I know of would be the restoration of the mini beach on the waterfront.

Kristen: Is there anything else you would like to comment on about the USF Green Movement?

David: The most important thing for everyone to know is that this Green movement is very student lead. Without the student involvement that we have now, we would be nowhere near the goals we have for our University sustainability.

Conclusion-Kristen Worrell

While the globe continues to grow, it is the small steps for the environment like those of USFSP that will make a difference. Reports show that USFSP is not the only college making green movements, and hopefully in the future USFSP will become a carbon neutral campus along with other campus nation-wide. With the determination and involvement of the students of USFSP, the St. Petersburg Campus will continue to produce innovative projects that will help the environment and save the University money.

Glossary of TermsCar Sharing- A model of car rental that allows people to rent cars for a short period of time; primarily used in urban environments

Green Fees- The Green Energy Fee is a tuition fee assessed by USFSP; helps USFSP maintain funding for green goals

Green Movement- The changing ideology that puts environmental consciousness into the forefront of consumer and business choices.

LEED- Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design; The highest standards for green construction and green buildings

Recycling- Process that changes waste materials into new and usable products or materials

SGEF- Student Green Energy Fund; A student-run organization at USFSP that allocates funding for green projects

Solar Panels- Photovoltaic system that converts energy from the sun into usable energy for residential or commercial use

Sustainability Department- The department of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg that is tasked with making the university more environmentally friendly; also in charge of collaborating with different green clubs and organizations on campus

Works CitedBlais, Jessica. Duke Energy to Invest $1 million in USFSP research Project. USPSP News Center. 18 September 2014. Web. 16 June 2015. www.usfsp.edu

Clarke, Richard A. et al. The Challenge of Going Green. Sustainability. July 1994. Web. 16 June 2015. www.hbr.org

"Educational Alliance." Sustainable Florida. 15 Dec. 2011. Web. 17 June 2015.

First Farm in Vermont to Make Cow Power Now Hosting 100 Kilowatt Wind Turbine.www.vtdigger.org. Vtdigger, 21 May 2013. Web. 16 June 2015.

Florida Gulf Coast Universitys 2MW Solar Field. Solaripedia. 2009. /www.solaripedia.comWeb. 16 June 2015.

Going Geothermal; University Plans to Install the Largest System in the Country. News Center www.cms.bsu.edu 6 February 2009. Web. 16 June 2015.

Sustainability. Digital image. University of South Florida St. Petersburg Sustainability. 1 Jan. 2015. Web.

"Sustainability | About Us." University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Web. 16 June 2015.

"Sustainability | Sustainable Campus." University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Web. 16 June 2015.

Tobienne, Francis. University of South Florida St. Petersburg. DocSlide. 5 April 2013. Web. 16 June 2015. www.docslide.net

Vasquez, David. "Thoughts on USF Going Green." Telephone interview. 10 June 2015.

Vision 20/20; USF St. Petersburg Strategic Plan (2014). University of South Florida. Web. 16 June 2015.

Annotated Bibliography

Blais, Jessica. Duke Energy to Invest $1 million in USFSP research Project. USPSP News Center. 18 September 2014. Web. 16 June 2015. www.usfsp.edu

Duke Energy Florida has awarded USF St. Petersburg (USFSP) a one million dollar SunSense grant that will fund research to explore the integration of storing solar energy in new battery systems on the top of a parking garage at the USFSP. The solar panels are expected to absorb all the excess power and store it in a large battery placed in the basement.

Clarke, Richard A. et al. The Challenge of Going Green. Sustainability. July 1994. Web. 16 June 2015. www.hbr.org

Help the environment and hurt your business, or irreparably harm your business while protecting the earth. There are numerous challenges encountered, and one of the main challenge with environmental going green is cost; however, in this new world, both business and the environment can win.

"Educational Alliance." Sustainable Florida. 15 Dec. 2011. Web. 17 June 2015. This webpage will explain what the EASF is and the different colleges that are a part of the EASF. This webpage includes sustainability reports and related links that will provide extra tidbits of information to complete our White Paper.

First Farm in Vermont to Make Cow Power Now Hosting 100 Kilowatt Wind Turbine.www.vtdigger.org. Vtdigger, 21 May 2013. Web. 16 June 2015.

The website explains University of Vermont installed a ten kilowatt wind turbine on its compound. It introduces how the wind turbine works, and how many people could be serviced from this.

Florida Gulf Coast Universitys 2MW Solar Field. Solaripedia. 2009. /www.solaripedia.comWeb. 16 June 2015.

This website tells about the full 2-megawatt system now is serving for some main buildings on campus. They save a lot on the cost for university.

Going Geothermal; University Plans to Install the Largest System in the Country. News Center www.cms.bsu.edu 6 February 2009. Web. 16 June 2015.

This website tells about the Ball State University introduced geothermal energy system, which save a lot on cost and reduce tons of harmful carbon. Also, they face some critical challenges; however, this is the largest system in the country.

Sustainability. Digital image. University of South Florida St. Petersburg Sustainability. 1 Jan. 2015. Web.

This picture gives a visual of the person interviewed.

"Sustainability | About Us." University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Web. 16 June 2015. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg Sustainability departments About Us page was a great resource to see what the Department of Sustainability does on campus. It also listed the various professional organizations that the University of South Florida St. Petersburg is a part of when it comes to going green.

"Sustainability | Sustainable Campus." University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Web. 16 June 2015. This part of the sustainability website was a great way to see every single going green project that the University of South Florida St. Petersburg has done thus far. It covers everything from the new solar panel array, to waste management solutions, to outlining all of the LEED buildings on campus. It also covers much more.

Tobienne, Francis. University of South Florida St. Petersburg. DocSlide. 5 April 2013. Web. 16 June 2015. www.docslide.netThe annual production of energy in this solar array is expected to be around one hundred and sixty four thousand kilowatts produced in an area of approximately seven thousand, one hundred square feet and maximizing on space since it will be installed above a parking lot. Moreover, a student run fund, dubbed Student Green Energy Fund has been created to ensure that students projects supporting or promoting Green Energy are funded properly.

Vasquez, David. "Thoughts on USF Going Green." Telephone interview. 10 June 2015.David Vasquez was last semesters Vice Chair of the Sustainability Department and has a vast array of knowledge on the USF Going Green Movement. His interview has provided pertinent information to our White Paper.

Vision 20/20; USF St. Petersburg Strategic Plan (2014). University of South Florida. Web. 16 June 2015. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg Strategic Plan outlines the main goals of the university for the foreseeable future. While the whole document is not about sustainability, one key section of it pertains to how as the university grows, it wishes to be sustainable. It also lists a couple of achievements for the University of South Florida St. Petersburg when it comes to being green