Spring Break
USGA pushes for more eco-friendly buildings
By: Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 5/25/07 Section: News
Originally published: 5/25/07 at 4:56 AM EST
Last update: 5/25/07 at 4:56 AM EST
Originally published: 5/25/07 at 4:56 AM EST
Last update: 5/25/07 at 4:56 AM EST
The Undergraduate Student Government Association passed a resolution May 14 recommending that new campus buildings be designed in an environmentally conscious manner. The resolution specifically addresses the possibility of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for new buildings, such as the wellness center. The University previously announced that the new integrated sciences building, located on 33rd and Chestnut streets, will be LEED certified.
LEED certification is "a way of quantifying" how environmentally sound a building is, explained Paul Hirshorn, head of the Department of Architecture. The United States Green Building Council runs the LEED Certification system.
The USGA passed the resolution after Drexel announced that its new academic building would be LEED-certified. Among the features in the new academic building is a biofilter wall - a wall of plant vegetation that will naturally process air. The biofilter wall will be the only one belonging to a college in the United States, according to James Tucker, senior vice president for student life and administrative services.
Tucker estimated that 0-5% of the cost of the new building will go towards making it environmentally sound. Funding will come from Drexel's capital budget, and the college will do everything it can to make the building fiscally responsible, said Tucker.
Stacey Rose, USGA Commuter Representative and Student Life Assembly Chair, said that the administration's intent to build a new LEED Certified building encouraged USGA to pass their resolution.
Rose helped draft the resolution, specifically the parts relating to Drexel's new wellness center. USGA used the wellness center, which will be an extension of the Daskalakis Athletic Center, as an example of a new building that they hope will be LEED Certified.
Another part of the resolution states that USGA does not want funds used for making a structure LEED Certified to take away from any other parts of the building, said Rose
LEED certification is "a way of quantifying" how environmentally sound a building is, explained Paul Hirshorn, head of the Department of Architecture. The United States Green Building Council runs the LEED Certification system.
The USGA passed the resolution after Drexel announced that its new academic building would be LEED-certified. Among the features in the new academic building is a biofilter wall - a wall of plant vegetation that will naturally process air. The biofilter wall will be the only one belonging to a college in the United States, according to James Tucker, senior vice president for student life and administrative services.
Tucker estimated that 0-5% of the cost of the new building will go towards making it environmentally sound. Funding will come from Drexel's capital budget, and the college will do everything it can to make the building fiscally responsible, said Tucker.
Stacey Rose, USGA Commuter Representative and Student Life Assembly Chair, said that the administration's intent to build a new LEED Certified building encouraged USGA to pass their resolution.
Rose helped draft the resolution, specifically the parts relating to Drexel's new wellness center. USGA used the wellness center, which will be an extension of the Daskalakis Athletic Center, as an example of a new building that they hope will be LEED Certified.
Another part of the resolution states that USGA does not want funds used for making a structure LEED Certified to take away from any other parts of the building, said Rose
