Utah State University Resolution in Support of LEED Standards

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Source File: http://www.usu.edu/fsenate/FS/Agenda/2007-2008/Feb04_2008/LEED_Resolution.pdf

Text:

FACULTY SENATE
LEED Resolution

Whereas: President Stan Albrecht is a charter signatory to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Whereas: This action is indicative of Utah State University’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the sustainability of the University’s operations.

Whereas: Energy costs continue to increase, placing a burden on Utah State University’s operational budgets.

Whereas: The faculty of Utah State University has shown support to President Stan Albrecht’s signing of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Whereas: The faculty of Utah State University understands that there is a compelling case for imminent climate change and a resulting movement towards a new paradigm for the use of energy and other natural resources.

Therefore: The faculty urges Utah State University to grasp the opportunity to provide leadership in these key early years of the 21st Century, by both altering our consumption of natural resources and creating new academic programs integrating key knowledge and issues that will define the future.

We strongly encourage USU to take the following actions:

1. Reduce future energy consumption and the associated financial resources, by requiring that all new USU buildings be designed and constructed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ silver certification or equivalent.

2. Encourage and support the faculty to design new academic programs that will integrate knowledge and ideas that connect climate change to energy, natural resources, sustainability, economics, and various cultural and social issues.