WARRENSBURG, MO. — The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is holding a ceremony today to kick off its $36.1 million, 2-year project to increase energy efficiency on campus. Projects will be completed in at least 26 different campus buildings, most of them academic facilities. Improvements will include new energy-efficient air and water distribution systems, the installation of energy-efficient lighting, window and roof replacements on various buildings, new building automation systems, and geothermal well and piping installation.
All of the new projects are being constructed to meet LEED-Silver standards. This decision was made as a way to affirm the university’s commitment to sustainable construction. University president Aaron Podolefsky was one of approximately 300 college presidents to sign the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007, in which these academic institutions agreed to reduce their carbon footprints and promote sustainability.
“[This] initiative brings us all together as stewards of the resources we have,” Podolefsky said. “It’s an exciting time for UCM as we begin work to improve the quality of the environment for our students, faculty and staff.”
In addition to these new projects, the university is already working in two additional projects with sustainability in mind. Renovations are under way at the Morrow-Garrison buildings, which house facilities for the Department of Health and Human Performance. The building will receive energy-efficient mechanical systems, in addition to redesigned classrooms, office, lab space and gymnasiums. Next door, the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center is also under way. Both projects are scheduled for completion in 2010, and both are being built to LEED-Silver standards.
Funding for the projects announced today will be provided by a 15-year lease-purchase through Banc of America Public Capital Corp., a subsidiary of Bank of America. The university has selected Piscataway, N.J.-based Trane to provide general contracting services.
— Coleman Wood