When University Business put together the "Going Green While Saving Green" special section in our June issue, we were in the process of conducting a related survey of higher education facilities with E&I Cooperative Purchasing, a higher ed buying cooperative. The purpose was to explore various environmental and sustainability issues related to the procurement of higher education facilities products and services. The study, titled "Institutions of Higher Education: A Study of Facilities and Environmental Considerations," focused on campus facilities planners and managers; college presidents; and finance, business, purchasing, and academics managers at 470 colleges and universities.
As social factors are driving more environmentally responsible solutions on campus, top management has become directly involved in green/sustainability decisions. That trend is supported in the study results. Overall, 84 percent of respondents indicated that their schools take sustainability issues into consideration when deciding on facility construction/renovation, as well as on purchases of new products, equipment, systems, and services ranging from janitorial to office products and furnishings.
With recent increases in energy costs, they are willing to invest more in energy-efficient products and construction that will pay off quickly in energy cost-savings-enabling them to "go green" while saving "green." This rising green tide is creating demand for many other green/sustainable products and services. The report also examines the use of environmentally friendly vendors when outsourcing various campus services; driving factors to green approaches are also examined.
"This study reveals that planning, building, and purchasing by colleges and universities are more heavily influenced by green and sustainable considerations than ever before," notes Tom Fitzgerald, CEO of E&I Cooperative Purchasing.
The Green Equation
With energy costs soaring and an increased awareness of environmental issues, institutions have major opportunities to introduce both environmentally sound and energy-saving technologies and approaches.
Many schools have already committed to embracing these principles, and there is a strong trend toward doing so. Therefore, with the commitment and the investments already in place, expect to see significant growth in greener universities and colleges.
There is a distinct trend among colleges and universities toward environmental sensitivity. Regardless of whether that trend is driven by altruistic reasons, cost savings, or governmental pressures, or whether it's prompted by students and management, the result is a major shift to green:
Compared with three or four years ago, two-thirds of universities and colleges are placing greater emphasis on green approaches.
One of three now has or will likely have offices of sustainability.
Nine of 10 take sustainability into account in deciding upon new products and equipment.
Three-quarters are switching to environmentally friendly janitorial products equipment.
Nine of 10 will use green criteria the next time they evaluate consumable products.
Three-quarters will consider LEED certification in future construction or renovation projects.
And nine of 10 will use green criteria the next time they evaluate building products and furnishings.
As leaders in adopting socially conscious initiatives, it is clear that colleges and universities have embraced the issue of environmental responsibility. Therefore, implementing such initiatives will likely become a requirement for institutions desiring to be in the mainstream of higher education.
Construction and Renovation Plans
College and university construction projects have continued to grow in recent years, with 2005 being the single most expensive year on record ($14.5 billion spent on construction and renovation projects). The institutions studied are heavily engaged in both new building construction (59% with current projects) and building modernization/renovation (63% with current projects).
