“Greening” of Nevada blue creates a more eco-friendly environment

With the opening of the Joe Crowley Student Union on Nov. 15, the University, which has been actively engaged in several notable “green” initiatives over the past few years, will enter a new era.

Call it the “greening” of Nevada blue as the University works to create a more eco-friendly environment. From green-certified new buildings to projects that will engage the student body and others in efforts for sustainable development, it’s an exciting time to be environmentally conscious on the Nevada campus.

“We’re starting to nudge in the right direction,” said Kendra Zamzow, a doctoral degree candidate in the University’s environmental sciences and health program, and one of the founders of the environmental organization, Students and Educators for Environmental Development and Sustainability (SEEDS). “It’s good to hear that our administration wants to go that way.

“If we can take our master plan and start to put more LEED- (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings in, if we look at landscaping and how to properly handle storm water runoff, if we strive to make our campus more biker- and walker-friendly, if we stress water conservation, the campus will become an even better place for all of those who work, study or visit.”

The Crowley Student Union, even before it officially opens its doors, is already ushering in an exciting new era for the University.

The new union is an environmentally sustainable building with several “green” aspects. Many of its green features came from student input from groups such as SEEDS. Its green features include:

• A day lighting system to reduce artificial-light use and minimize energy consumption;

• Bathroom fixtures that operate with very low water use, and reduction of potable water use;

• High-efficiency, fritted window glass;

• An on-site cistern containing water from the building’s cooling towers for irrigation;

• Pervious pavers to help capture and infiltrate storm water back into the ground (eliminating one storm drain and proportionally reducing water flow to the storm water system).

Facilities has traditionally done well in energy conservation, thanks to a performance-contracting policy in the mid-1990s that led to several, on-campus energy-efficient upgrades.

The upgrades included indoor/outdoor lighting, lighting controls, automatic faucets and chiller upgrades.

Since 2002, the University has followed a green policy in several other areas, including the use of biodiesel in the campus shuttle and vehicle fleet, the purchase of hybrid/electric cars, alternative transportation through Sierra Spirit buses, hazardous waste reduction, campus recycling and the integration of green themes, issues or subjects into academic programs with the creation of the Academy for the Environment.

Nevada’s land-grant university founded in 1874, the University of Nevada, Reno has an enrollment of nearly 17,000 students. The University is home to one the country’s largest study-abroad programs and the state’s medical school, and offers outreach and education programs in all Nevada counties.

For more information, visit www.unr.edu.