UT Recognized as an Outstanding Green Business

The University of Tampa received the Outstanding Green Business award at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Gulfcoast Chapter LEEDership Awards Dinner on Oct. 21 at USF-St. Petersburg.

UT was noted for establishing "a practical and multifaceted approach to sustainable issues and concerns" and for its initiatives to "maintain healthy, environmentally friendly facilities; promote sustainable use of resources; increase awareness about conservation and sustainability; and lower facilities operating costs."

UT is a founding member and sustaining partner member of the USGBC Gulfcoast Chapter, which was founded in 2005. This group strives to improve sustainability in Florida, and the chapter provides sustainability education programs, sponsors guest speakers and shares knowledge and resources about environmental sustainability.

UT has received LEED® Gold certification from USGBC for Jenkins Hall, the Science Annex and LEED Silver certification for the Dickey Health and Wellness Center. The recently completed Innovation and Collaboration Building is currently a candidate for LEED Silver certification, and the new Fitness Center, which is under construction, is being built with LEED certification in mind.

Keynote speaker Mickey Jacob, executive vice president of BDG Architects and 2013 president of the American Institute of Architects, spoke about sustainability communities and made references to Tampa and the roles that are played by business and educational leaders in preparing for future city, not suburban, environments.