Green Leadership Initiative

Moving Toward Sustainability

Concordia University Texas is committed to developing and maintaining a campus that enhances human health and safety and fosters responsible urban environmentalism and sustainability. The campus green initiative is driven by a theological understanding that God has created the world and entrusted stewardship of its resources to mankind (Genesis 1:26-28, Psalm 8:6-8). The university will strive to provide employees and students with the knowledge and skills needed to be environmentally responsible. To that end, Concordia University Texas is committed to continuous improvement in responsible urban environmentalism through a green initiative guided by the following principles.

Green Initiative Guiding Principles

1. Develop and maintain institutional practices that promote responsible urban environmentalism, including programs to increase efficiency and use of renewable resources and lower production of waste and hazardous materials, both in Concordia's own operations and in those of its suppliers.
   
   • General energy conservation efforts
     • Turn off lights/appliances/equipment not being used research phantom power use
     • Automated lighting/effective programming of automated fixtures
     • Use of energy efficient light fixtures
     • Establish/maintain building/office temperature thresholds
     • Play leadership role with PEC in development of improved energy management programs (e.g. GreenChoice)
   • Effective campus energy management system (heating/cooling)
   • Improve building envelop seal/energy tight structures e.g. insulation
   • Improve building health use of chemicals, solvents, etc.
   • Windows thermal window treatments, awnings, window film, trellises
   • Use of solar
     • Supplemental electrical generation possible net metering
     • Power for emergency backup systems
     • Supplemental hot water (solar thermal)
     • Solar photovoltaic to operate street lights, site lighting, signs, etc.
       
   • Wind generation / wind turbines Pacwind, Aerotecture, AeroVironment, Windside, Skystream
   • Waste to energy / biomass
   • Annual energy facility/site audit
   • Server virtualization
   • Recycling offices, public collection, central recycling collection area
   • Composting program
   • Management of kitchen waste
   • Use of tap water versus bottled water and eliminate water coolers
   • Monthly campus clean-up by employees and students
   • Adopt a section of the campus like the Adopt-a-highway program
   • Green purchasing for office supplies, furniture, paper, etc.
   • Systematic program to reduce use of paper across the institution
   • Use of green-friendly housekeeping supplies/chemicals/techniques
   • Water conservation low-flow/automated technology, effective irrigation management (proper green landscaping)
   • Eco-friendly campus vehicles/equipment
   • Four-day work week
2. Foster environmental inquiry and institutional learning to more fully understand and actively practice effective corporate and individual environmental stewardship.
   • Green program pledge form for all employees and students (commitment)
   • Comprehensive communication program
     • Website
     • Brochures
     • Posters tip of the month
     • Banners / signage
     • Monthly newsletter
   • Work with student government (SLGA)
   • Workshops/seminars/fair special day each semester, guest speakers, projects
   • Employee recognition for good environmental practices quarterly
   • Special education efforts for residential students utilities, waste management
   • Incorporate a green component into freshman orientation (Life Leadership class) part of the curriculum
   • Development of educational trail system kiosks, brochures, signage, etc.
   • Campus docent program
   • Competition for continual improvement of campus green/sustainability efforts (internal grants and awards)
   • Joint efforts/partnerships with local businesses, apartment complexes, neighborhood associations
   • Community outreach efforts service learning opportunities
   • Partnership with Independence Ridge (adjoining property)
   • Corporate sponsorships/partnerships
   • Seek grant opportunities
   • Encourage mass transit solutions / car pooling
   • Corporate and individual ecological footprint research/education
3. Enhance the health of campus ecosystems, especially within the Concordia nature preserve, striving to maintain water quality, diversity of native and endangered species and geological/biological integrity of the property.
   • Research efforts
     • Monitor air and water quality on campus and immediate surroundings
     • Bird counts environmental/ecological inventory
     • Plant/tree management
   • Landscape management improved techniques across the property
4. Develop planning tools for monitoring the campus environment and ecosystems that support responsible strategic planning and decision-making.
   • Utility monitoring system for each building
   • Air/water monitoring systems
   • LEED certification commitment existing/future construction
   • Memberships in green associations/agencies
   • Staff training on green and sustainability issues/techniques
   • Effective tracking of individual building utilities
   • Best practices exchange with other institutions
   • Assess how the green leadership initiative impacts the university (finances and culture)