Operations
Energy (Renewable, Energy Efficiency & Conservation)
Muhlenberg has incorporated renewable energy and energy efficiency and conservation projects into its operations and educational programs as a means to educate the campus community about sustainable energy solutions and realize cost savings.
Renewable Energy on Campus
Muhlenberg has installed a 3.2 kW solar photovoltaic system on the roof of Seegers Union.
During a course coordinated by Dr. Jane Flood, 12 students installed the system, including 2 pole-mounted nine-panel arrays, 2 inverters, new conduit, and a data collection system.
All of this was completed with the assistance of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association (MAREA), EcoElectric and a grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF). The arrays are manually adjustable and solar radiance, wind, temperature, and electricity production data will be available for ongoing research and analysis.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Muhlenberg has undertaken the following recent energy efficiency and conservation measures:
- Energy and Building Audits: In 2008, a campus wide energy audit was conducted. The results of this audit suggested that another more comprehensive, far-reaching energy and building audit could significantly improve the College’s energy usage, and hence carbon footprint. The results of this audit, compiled in the Campus Planning Report on Energy Management and Sustainability, have suggested several projects that will likely be incorporated into Muhlenberg’s strategic plan.
- Energy Systems: Muhlenberg has installed Emon Demon electrical meters in 26 of its largest buildings to closely monitor, benchmark and decrease electricity use. Natural gas and oil meters are used as well.
- Residence Halls: New, energy efficient windows are continually being installed in residence halls.
- Lighting: Unnecessary lighting has been reduced through the use of occupancy sensors in some existing rooms and more sensors will be installed in the future. In Spring 2010, T8s were installed in the library and Life Sports Center.
Food (Sodexo)
Muhlenberg dining is in the process of becoming more sustainable. Recently, Muhlenberg has introduced more local produce into the dining menus and with the Seeger’s Union kitchen remodel, there will be more capacity for utilizing local and organic foods, including from the Muhlenberg community garden.
The dining facilities have also supported Trayless Tuesdays and Weighing the Waste, an experiment in measuring how much food and energy waste can be avoided by going entirely trayless.
Green Building
Muhlenberg College has made extensive efforts to maintain and improve upon building efficiency during our campus renovation and expansion projects.
Science Building Renovation
In 2007, the New Science Building was built and awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental (LEED) Silver rating.
The 47,000-square feet New Science Building houses the life science program comprising of laboratories, classrooms and offices. Its sustainable design includes waterless urinals, low-flow toilets and faucets, energy enthalpy wheels as a part of the heating, ventilating and air condition system, low emissivity windows, wood products by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), lab casework composed of agriboard, paints, adhesives and sealants that contain low levels of volatile organic compounds, a green house keeping program and an educational outreach program, which includes the use of television monitors to educate visitors about the building's green features.
Simultaneously, the Shankweiler Building was renovated incorporating retrofits to LEED standards.
Seegers Union Construction
Muhlenberg College recently broke ground on a project to renovate Seegers Union, the campus’ student center, and Parents Plaza, the quadrangle directly outside of the building.
The new construction, which includes the renovation of a kitchen area, will ensure more robust offerings of organic, vegetarian, international and kosher cuisine. The new area will also include a waste compactor and pulper to reduce waste and provide the future possibility of composting food waste.
Construction debris is one of the largest components in landfills, and Muhlenberg is consistently recycling more than 75% of the construction waste. In an effort to reduce paper waste, all project documents and communications are transmitted and available electronically. Forest Stewardship Council certified wood is used for concrete form work. Exterior spray foam insulation has been used to reduce air leakage and improve energy efficiency.
Additionally, through the use of low-flow fixtures, there will be no net increase in water usage in the project. Because buildings can sometimes function outside of the sustainable parameters they were designed with, a Commissioning Agent has been hired to evaluate and inspect system performance.
Green IT
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) has been on the forefront of the Muhlenberg campus sustainability initiatives. Not only do all the new college computer purchases meet EPEAT Gold standards, but energy reduction mechanisms are constantly being introduced.
Most recently, a pilot program to automatically hibernate public computers not in use for more than 10 minutes has been tested. Also, multiple servers have been consolidated into one. Both of these efforts have significantly reduced energy consumption.
Grounds & Maintenance
Muhlenberg mulches its ground clippings and has installed rain gardens to control runoff from the parking lots. Muhlenberg purchases a substantial amount of green cleaning products.
Land Conservation
Muhlenberg is home to two significant natural areas, the Graver Arboretum and the Conrad W. Raker Biological Field Station and Wildlife Sanctuary, which provide opportunities to study land and biological conservation.
Graver Arboretum, a beautiful 63-acre area donated by Dr. Lee and Virginia Graver, contains examples of many diverse wildflowers, ferns, rhododendrons and native and rare trees. The Arboretum provides an ideal outdoor space for course activities and hiking.
The Raker Biological Field Station and Wildlife Sanctuary is a 40-acre wooded tract situated 15 miles north of the campus, in Germansville, PA. It is used primarily by biology classes for field study. A section of Jordan Creek within the preserve provides added opportunity for aquatic biology studies. Students and staff also conduct research on varied aspects of plant and animal biology.
Transportation
Biking is a great way to get around campus. Bring your bike this semester! There are numerous bike racks on campus, and the Seegers renovations will include underground, weather-proof bike storage as well.
Additionally, the City of Allentown has recently adopted a plan to develop more bike lanes and infrastructure, part of which will run adjacent to the College.
Muhlenberg also has one hybrid vehicle used by Campus Safety and is considering purchasing more. The school also has a no-idling policy that aims to decrease air pollution that contributes to asthma.
Waste/Recycling
Muhlenberg College is committed to a long term and all-encompassing approach to environmentally responsible waste management.
Muhlenberg College has had a recycling program in place since 1993. Beginning with the fall semester of 2008, Muhlenberg has changed to a single stream recycling contract. This means that all recyclables can go into the same bin.
Water
Even with the recent expansion of campus facilities, water consumption at Muhlenberg has decreased per square foot of building.
By using low-flow toilet and shower fixtures, motion-sensor operated faucets, plugging leaks, and limiting field irrigation, Muhlenberg has conserved water resources.
Specifically, Muhlenberg has instituted the following initiatives to conserve water:
- Muhlenberg students initiated a program, Just Tap It!, to reduce the consumption of bottled water on campus.
- The Seegers renovation, despite expanding the kitchen and space significantly, will use no more water that the previous building.
- In 2007, the New Science Building was awarded LEED silver certification. The building incorporates water efficient features, including the use of waterless urinals and low flow toilets and faucets. These measures reduce water use by an estimated 37%.
- Several bathrooms have motion-sensor operated faucets to reduce water waste.
- Only low-flow showerheads are installed in College residence halls.
- Nearly all toilets on campus use reduced flow plumbing that reduces water consumption by more than 50%.
- Fields with irrigation systems are watered only once per week and only if there has been less than one inch of rainfall that week.
