Leveraging its strong commitment to sustainability goals within its physical environment, Ohio State secured the University System of Ohio’s first green bond designation with the successful issuance of its $600 million Series 2021A bonds.
Proceeds of the bonds will contribute to the financing of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center’s new 1.9 million-square-foot inpatient hospital . The inpatient hospital’s sustainable design and construction standards will promote energy efficiency, conserve water, improve ecosystem services and divert waste.
"On the mission of achieving sustainability, hospitals have their sights set on one mammoth target: becoming carbon neutral — achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions.
And while the mission is long, challenging and often fraught with obstacles, hospitals have an obligation to embrace sustainability due to the enormity of their carbon footprint and their core commitment to health and healing, according to leaders in the decarbonization movement."
Aparna Dial approaches sustainability with a view through three lenses: She immigrated to the United States from India. She’s a woman in a male-dominated field. And she’s been an eyewitness to the ways environmental impacts do not affect everyone equally.
That perspective leads her to propel discussion and action when it comes to issues such as the inequities of environmental impacts and the barriers faced by women in STEM.
“The biggest driver for me was to give a voice for people who didn’t have a voice,” Dial, senior director of sustainability and strategic services in...
Ohio State is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day all spring! Visit the Sustainability Institute's website for a listing of events and activities that celebrate sustainability.
Celebrate Earth Day with the Medical Center Green Team This is the third year the Medical Center Green Team is organizing special opportunities to celebrate while also complying with the rules and regulations due to COVID-19.
Bring confidential documents to be shredded and recycled on Friday, April 23 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Other personal, non-medical center or university issued, items that can be dropped off...
The Ohio State University will seek Board of Trustees approval this week for construction of the Energy Advancement and Innovation Center located within the West Campus Innovation District. The building is centered on finding innovative solutions for energy reduction and will allow researchers to develop, demonstrate and deploy innovations in sustainable building design and performance.
“Ohio State is uniquely positioned to bring together researchers from a variety of backgrounds who are committed to a more sustainable future,” said Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson. “This facility will advance the great work already happening at...
Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) continues to promote and encourage sustainability practices in campus laboratory and office spaces. Tony Gillund, FOD sustainability office project manager, says the Green Buckeye Certification program (GBC) has evolved during the years. The program, created in 2011, initially recognized offices that incorporated sustainable practices into their university spaces, processes, and community.
In 2015, the program expanded to include laboratory spaces, and Gillund was involved in the effort.
“I take pride in watching the program develop and in educating more participants who are interested in learning how to reduce their environmental footprint,” Gillund said....
Finding silver linings during a pandemic is not always easy, but Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) found a way to create positive results despite the challenges created by COVID-19.
In April, May and June, FOD adjusted service levels in buildings based on need. With fewer people on campus and most staff asked to telework, buildings were not in full use. FOD partnered with Ohio State Energy Partners and ENGIE Buckeye Operations to roll out three phases of energy reduction measures in more than 100 academic and research buildings.
As part the of energy reduction measures, FOD made climate-control...
The Ohio State University is making investments in sustainability that are leading to tangible change and beginning to move the needle toward overall energy reduction goals.
“We are focused on building and maintaining more efficient facilities,” said Mark Conselyea, associate vice president of Facilities Operations and Development (FOD). “We must be good stewards of our resources and energy conservation measures help drive Ohio State toward achieving its long-term sustainability goals.”
A 50-year partnership with Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP), a consortium of ENGIE North America and Axium Infrastructure, is helping the university operate more efficiently. In the summer...
The Ohio State University Columbus campus achieved a gold rating within the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).
Ohio State’s 2019 gold rating is good for three years and places the university among leading national and international colleges and universities, according to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) that administers STARS.
“Sustainability is a major focus at Ohio State, and this honor recognizes the significant progress we continue to make as a university,” said Jay Kasey, senior vice president of Ohio State’s Office of Administration and Planning.
Heating-to-Cooling Transition - Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) maintenance personnel will conduct the annual heating-to-cooling season transition in several campus buildings throughout the month of April, necessitating increased activity of FOD maintenance personnel in and around the mechanical spaces of the buildings.
Maintenance personnel will shut down certain heating systems, where applicable, and perform the proper maintenance to bring the cooling systems on-line.
We are working to ensure a seamless changeover from heating to cooling, but weather variations may cause unanticipated fluctuations to interior temperatures as we progress through this transition. We apologize in advance for any...
