The University has redefined sustainability–it’s not all about the environment anymore.
Liesel Schwarz, Villanova’s sustainability manager, said a sustainable campus requires components other than just the environment.
“A lot of times people think about the environment because that’s an element of the word we use every day–but there’s also a social component,” Schwarz said. “The goal of sustainability is making sure we provide future generations a life equal to or better than the one we have today.”
Villanova has lived up to its Augustinian teachings by focusing on both environmental and social sustainability.
The University is recognized as a green college according to Princeton Review.
According to Sierra Club’s “Cool Schools” national listing, Villanova ranks 94.
“Here at Villanova we do so much to help others as part of our Augustinian teaching,” Schwarz said. “And that definitely has a huge sustainability bent.”
Every year Villanovans are encouraged to participate in the University’s day of service, which falls on the same day as the Green Apple Day of Service.
“The Green Apple Day of Service is a day of volunteering at schools to help them build a more sustainable community through beautification, education, and sustainable design,” Schwarz said.
The service events are usually held off campus, but can include on-campus events.
Beyond the University’s past accomplishments, the sustainability team on campus has plans for the future.
Schwarz said that building the environment and managing social programs is not the only concern.
Villanova now offers academic programs supporting sustainability efforts.
“We have a lot of academic programs for students,” Schwarz said. “We offer masters in sustainable engineering, and a minor in the arts and science school in sustainability.”
The University will host its first Campus Sustainability Day Oct. 23—informing students about academic and extracurricular opportunities involving sustainability.
“I am always looking for students to get involved,” Schwarz said.
Students might have already noticed new sustainability efforts.
Six new hydration stations were added throughout south, main and west campuses.
Villanovans can say good-bye to the taste of water fountains. The new hydration stations are all filtered, and provide pre-chilled water access.
Stations include two in Bartley, one in Connelly Center, one in Dougherty, two in St. Mary’s and one on the opposite side of Second-Story.
The seventh station in Donohue has already been there for one year. “They were paid for by dining services and the maintenance department, and we’re hoping we can get more on campus,” Schwarz said. “We need to see that students are using them first.”
Each hydration station has a “bottle saved” counter that informs the number of water bottles each station has saved.
Freshmen and sophomores especially can take advantage of new zip cars on campus.
Students can sign up by visiting http://www.zipcar.com and registering for a rental through the University. Car pick-up stations are located in east main lot.
Another part of the Nova Nation’s sustainability effort is its recycling process.
With the help of “Recycling Rick,” Villanova’s recycling coordinator, all campus recycling is done through the University.
According to Schwarz, most Universities hire outside companies for the job. Not the case at Villanova.
The sustainability team works hard to keep the buildings polished and clean with a redefined cleaning product.
“We used ionized water for our cleaning around campus,” Schwarz said. “It’s just water, so it is safer and more sustainable because it requires less chemicals than traditional cleaners.”
The ionized water helps keep disturbing cleaning odors away from students.
“I’m hoping the students will like this because it’s easier to breathe,” Schwarz said.
New sustainability efforts have been a continuation of past initiatives, according to Schwarz.
“Our big moment of sustainability was when Father Peter signed the President’s Climate commitment,” Schwarz said. “It’s a commitment that says the University will reach a carbon neutrality by a certain date–2050 is Villanova’s commitment.”
Villanova also follows the LEED certification guidelines—the most distinguished and widely accepted environmental design and green building certification.
Categories of the certification includes: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.
“To achieve LEED certification is an upgrade and will cost you more, but in the long run you will save a lot more money as far as energy usage and occupant productivity,” Schwarz said.
Sullivan, Sheehan, Driscoll and the law school building are all LEED certified.
“LEED is very detailed,” Schwarz said. “The reason it’s so well regarded is because of that.”
Schwarz believes sustainability efforts will continue to grow on campus, making them a major part of Villanova’s future.
“I think sustainably is a major piece in our future. I also think there are many universities that are doing a lot more than us, and many that are doing a lot less than us.”
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