(September 2018) UT opened the Graduate and Health Studies building aiming for LEED Silver Certification. Following a successful LEED template from previous projects, this building will have the following attributes:
- Centrally located on campus to allow users to walk and bike easily.
- Low flow water fixtures and water closets will save approximately 260,000 gallons per year over standard fixtures
- 5 percent of electricity is offset by Photovoltaic array funded by Student Government senior gift.
- Material selection had low or no VOCs
- High performance insulating windows allow appropriate day light while reflecting solar radiance
- Construction Waste Management program – over 75 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfill.
- Majority of the building has individual and centralized controllable LED lighting.
(February 2018) To help conserve water, water bottle refill stations have been installed on every floor of multi-storied buildings. In Fall 2017, The University of Tampa received LEED® Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its new Fitness and Recreation Center, which was opened in September 2016. The Daly innovation and Collaboration Building received LEED Silver certification in August 2016.
(June 2015) The Innovation and Collaboration Building will open in Fall 2015 as a candidate for LEED® Silver certification from U.S. Green Building Council. The McNiff Fitness Center, which began construction in May, is also designed to meet LEED Silver certification status. The Central Plant just added its third chiller for a total existing capacity of 3,400 tons. We are now collecting condensate from air handling units located at five mid-rise residence halls, which is used to supply the cooling towers at the Central Plant with up to two million free gallons per year of clean make-up water. This reduces the amount of make-up water that has to be purchased from municipal sources.
UT is adding submeters to buildings for water, electricity and gas to assist its energy management efforts in monitoring utility usage and prioritizing energy savings projects. In the construction of new buildings on campus, The University of Tampa continues to follow many of the building guidelines as specified by U.S. Green Building Council and its LEED certified criteria.
(May 2014) Our newest residence hall, Jenkins, opened in August 2013 and was designed developed with LEED certification as a project goal. Records are being maintained and the project was submitted as a candidate for certification in late 2013. Jenkins Hall received the certification of LEED Gold and named the outstanding project of the year in the category of LEED for New Construction, Higher Education by the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Sustainability focused elements of this project include the aforementioned solar water heating system, low-flow plumbing fixtures, a storm water collection vault, high efficiency lighting systems controls, the very significant use of glass in the design to take advantage of day light in the living spaces, the use of recycled materials in construction and the recycling of over 1,200 tons of construction waste, which is 78 percent of the total.
(July 2012 Update) A recent expansion to the Health Science and Human Performance instructional facility was accomplished by expansion to a second story and allowed for the conservation of campus real estate while adding a significant amount of useable space. Similarly, the development of the 2-story addition to the Martinez Athletics Center was developed on the site of a surplus facility and did not require the use of open campus green space.
The next new residence hall currently under construction and scheduled to open in August 2013 has been designed and is being developed with LEED certification as a project goal.
(September 2011 Update) UT received LEED Gold certification from U.S. Green Building Council for its Science Annex, and LEED Silver certification for its Dickey Health and Wellness Center. Both buildings, which are located on the UT campus, are new and were opened in Fall 2010. See press release and LEED Webpage.
(September 2010 Update) As part of the ongoing effort to encourage sustainability in the computer labs, print limits were implemented beginning Fall 2010. All students are allotted the same starting balance from which each print request is deducted. Students have the opportunity to re-credit their account with personal funds once it is depleted. The goal is to discourage unnecessary printing and reduce the amount of wasted paper printed in UT’s computer labs. Students are also encouraged to print double-sided, combine PowerPoint slides to one sheet, only print what they need and to take notes on their laptops.
(June 2010 Update)Expansion of the chilled-water based air conditioning system to Smiley Hall during the summer marked the point when all inefficient electric window air-conditioning units were removed from all sleeping rooms on campus and replaced with ceiling mounted fan coil units.
(February 2010 Update) The University of Tampa, spearheaded by UT Student Government, has partnered with Hertz Rent-a-Car to offer environmentally-friendly vehicles to rent at a low rate. Not only does shared car ownership reduce the number of cars on campus, it reduces the users’ carbon footprint. Reduction in fuel usage, carbon emissions and traffic congestion are just a few of the benefits of the Hertz partnership. The program, Connect by Hertz, began in February and offers students, staff and faculty the use of a Ford Escape, Toyota Camry and Mazda 6.
The University will be pursuing the U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification for two new buildings on which construction began in February. The academic building and the Student Health Center are set to be completed by the next academic year.
(September 2009 Update)The City of Tampa's reclaimed water pipe line was routed through Plant Park and under the Hillsborough River to serve the Museum district. The University secured a connection to the line and can secure irrigation water for the Park and south Plant Hall areas.
More than 950 low flow shower heads were installed during the summer of 2009, providing low flow units in every shower on campus including locker rooms. As the restroom sinks are serviced, the aerator heads are replaced with low flow units in this continuing project.
(April 2009 Update) Expansion of the chilled-water based air conditioning system to the west wing of McKay Hall is underway. The current inefficient electric air-conditioning units will be removed and replaced with ceiling mounted fan coil units. These fan coil units produce a more even and quiet cooling and heating system. The chilled water has also been piped across University Drive to serve the registrar’s suite that is under construction on the first floor of the northeast end of Plant Hall.
The installation of low-flow toilets and showers continues across the campus in various renovation projects.
Finally, the University and the City of Tampa are discussing utilization of the reclaimed water network that is being expanded to the University district. Reclaimed water can be used for irrigation and can relieve demand from our existing private water wells.