Project Clearinghouse

Cowell Student Health Center LEED Certification - Education and Outreach

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

Buildings are a large source of carbon emissions and waste. LEED certification provides a framework for improving building features, reducing emissions and waste. By providing educational information about the building and its sustainable features, we can educate campus community members and building users about green building while demonstrating that green building is effective.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | How to Join | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Buildings & Facilities
Awareness, Education & Engagement
Project Status: 
Completed
Project Location: 
On campus



Stakeholder Contacts: 
Department
IDEASS Internship
Physical Planning & Construction
Cowell Student Health Center
Student Environmental Center
Sustainability Office
Campus Sustainability Internship Program
How to Join: 
Contact Alex Sassoon or Josephine Ortega in Physical Planning and Construction.

Project Description: 

The Cowell Student Health Center was LEED Gold Certified in January 2011, and is the only facility on campus that is entirely student-funded. Education and outreach efforts for the Health Center are necessary to engage students, staff and faculty in future green building projects, as well as to bring transparency to the use of student referendum funds. This project hopes to develop an interactive website to advertise the Health Center, as well as other green building projects on campus, in order to develop a campus knowledge base about green building and sustainability efforts on campus. Other outreach materials such as brochures, presentations and surveys will be developed and introduced for the next academic year.

Metrics for Success: 

Cowell Student Health Center will have a LEED certification

Results: 

In the spring of 2008, UCSC students passed Measure 35, known as the "Greening of the Cowell Student Health Center," to fund the renovation by establishing a $5.20 per student, per quarter.

The money was used to purchase and install green materials, implement green practices, and obtain a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the Cowell Student Health Center.

Resources
Related Websites: 
Student Fee Measure that paid for Cowell Certification
Press release for opening event