Sustainability Resource Center Moving to Academic Affairs

In July, the Sustainability Resource Center, formerly the Office of Sustainability, will move from Facilities Management to Academic Affairs as part of an overall University effort to reorganize and streamline campus sustainability efforts in research, academics, administration, and operations.

From left: Stephanie Dolmat-Connell, Jen Colby, Myron Willson, Rachel Sanders, and Ayrel Clark-Proffitt

The new name better reflects the Sustainability Resource Center’s role as a hub for campus-related sustainability initiatives and engagement programs. The Center will continue efforts to foster a living, learning laboratory where academics intersect with campus operations.

In addition, the University created a new Chief Sustainability Officer who reports directly to the Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs. The position is currently filled by Associate Vice President Amy Wildermuth, though a national search will begin soon. The new position will “take the conversation of long-term implications and sustainability to the highest level of administration,” says Myron Willson, director of the Sustainability Resource Center.

The Sustainability Resource Center will continue its current initiatives, including the Edible Campus Gardens, the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund (SCIF), and sustainability internships. The Center will also continue to work closely on sustainability issues with Facilities Management, serving on steering committees and FMRC. Stephanie Dolmat-Connell, the senior research analyst for Facilities Management, will also continue to assist the Sustainability Resource Center with data collection and analysis.

In The Spotlight

Myron Wilson

Director, Sustainability Resource Center

The Cathedral in the Desert had a major impact on Myron Willson’s life. Myron visited Lake Powell in the early 1970s as it was filling up after the completion of Glen Canyon Dam. “If they fill this up, it will ruin this place,” he remembers thinking. Now, the Cathedral in the Desert is inundated, except in severe drought.

This vivid memory instilled a love of nature and wild places in Myron, leading him to study urban planning  at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and later architecture at the University of Utah and pursue a career in designing green buildings and healthy communities.

Myron joined the U in 2009 as the director of the Sustainability Resource Center (then the Office of Sustainability). In this role, he helps design, plan, and coordinate campus sustainability initiatives and assists FM with efficiency standards and making campus buildings more sustainable.

In his spare time, Myron enjoys hiking, camping, and sculpting clay (including the photo included here!). He rides his bike to campus most days (except when it is icy).

Recycle Mania

It’s Recycle Mania, so it’s time for Spring Cleaning

 

The University of Utah participates in Recycle Mania, a promotion during the months of February and March to stress the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Last year, the program helped reduce 121,436 metric tons of CO2 equivalents, which is the same as the annual emissions from 25,299 cars.
How can you help? Clean out your desk next week to recycle your office pack and mixed papers to boost the U’s contribution.

Check out University of Utah's Sustainability for helpful tips and facts through out the month.

Aline Wilmot Skaggs Biology Air Handler and Cooling System Project

Recently the chiller in the Aline Wilmot Skaggs Biology building was replaced with a new evaporative cooling unit by Facility Operations due to chronic temperature control problems.  The new equipment has software control that allows for full maximization of the system. A change to the sequence of operations better utilizes the wet bulb temperatures to keep the building cool without the use of chillers. Chillers, like more familiar household air-conditioning units, are used in large buildings to cool the water used in industrial air-conditioning practices.

Evaporative technology is older but with the use of advanced technology through the control software, the unit is able to cool more efficiently. When temperatures reached 100 degrees Monday, June 10^th the unit was able to maintain 55 degree air discharge temperature through the use of evaporative cooling which cooled the building to 72 degrees inside.

Evaporative cooling is used in both new and older buildings where applicable. For example, the new business building has an evaporative and indirect cooling system alongside chillers.  The savings in emissions and energy use are substantial when able to use evaporative and indirect cooling systems.

Those consulted on this project were Building Automations, HVAC, Facility Operations, Energy Management, Sustainability, and Russ Weaver at Atkinson Electronics. This is the type of teamwork, dedication, and innovation that contributes to the continued success of the University of Utah.

Facilities Management Green Team

The new Facilities Management Green Team is a group of staff members from diverse departments of FM that are meeting regularly to educate themselves and their colleagues about sustainability, examining the sustainability of current office and shop practices, and creating innovative solutions.  The kickoff meeting this week saw lots of energy and enthusiasm and everyone brought their best ideas to the table to brainstorm several projects to do around FM.

From the shops to Public Safety, anyone from a department within FM is welcome to join the FM Green Team.  There are about 20 other Green Teams on campus, from the Marriott Library to Health Sciences to the College of Law.

Watch for new initiatives to come out from the FM Green Team!  If you’re interested, please contact Stephanie.dolmat@fm.utah.edu or join the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UofUGreenTeam.

How can you go green right now?

1. Print double sided, or print only what you need
2. Purchase recycled paper
3. Turn your computer monitor and screen off when you leave
4. Try bicycling, carpooling, or taking TRAX or UTA to work.  You’ll be surprised at the cost savings and relaxation of not driving a car every day!
5. Remember to recycle—put it in the right bin and rinse out any food waste.