Campbellsville University initiatives consider environmental impact, save energy, resources

As part of the university’s “Vision 2025: Transforming Christian Servant Leaders” planning document, Campbellsville University is employing more and more “green” initiatives.
 

“Campbellsville University strives to use our environmental resources wisely and to God’s glory,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU, said. “Our strategic plans calls for us to always evaluate energy consumption on campus and to develop a plan for generating greater efficiency and savings,” he said.
 

A new men’s residence village will be open in August and will offer the following energy initiatives: 2×6 construction allowing for better insulated walls, R40 insulation in all roof areas, high efficiency HVAC equipment, programmable thermostats, high efficiency water heaters, water saving toilets, faucets and showers heads, compact fluorescent lighting and high efficiency windows.
 

One of the most environmental friendly components is a complicated watershed system on the men’s villages that have had numerous environmental factors, according to Steve Morris, director of maintenance operations.
 

In complying with the federal clean water guidelines, the university has implemented an underground retention system, which stores approximately 10,000 gallons of water collected from run-off on campus. This provides control of water being discharged into Buckhorn Creek and also serves as water storage for the university’s irrigation system.
 

Marion Hall, director of special projects, said based on the water conservation plan that has been completed, the university is saving over 600,000 gallons of water monthly with the same amount saved in sewage costs. Cost is based on usage.
 

“Savings in all of the areas in which the plan was implemented should be around 47 percent compared to earlier usage amounts,” Hall said.
 

Hall and Otto Tennant, vice president for finance and administration, have worked across campus in lighting, ballast, toilets, urinals, heating and air conditioning, to provide additional energy savings.
 

New LED lights are being used which are producing a reduction in electricity, according to Tennant. Morris said the installation of 29 LED lights have resulted in a 41 percent reduction in electric usage for those particular lights.
 

For landscaping, Rob Roberts, director of landscape development, is using paving stones instead of hard-surface materials like concrete or blacktop. The stones allow water to seep beneath the surface instead of running off into the city storm system, Tennant said.
 

Tennant said CU is reviewing existing buildings on ways to save on energy and environmental costs.
 

“We are recycling cardboard, plastic, cans, etc. We also are working with our student environmental group, Green Minds, to further develop the Log Cabin Park with greenery, flowers and construction to make the area an environmental friendly group for the community,” he said.
 

“Our Earth Day event held at the Log Cabin Park in April featured many elementary school children coming on campus and participating in planting of flowers. This is the type of earth stewardship Campbellsville University wants to show our community that we are doing, and it’s working to save our planet.”
 

From Campbellsville University