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...
In September 2017, Cannon Drive began to blossom into the version of what we see today. The project, designed to straighten and elevate the roadway, created a certified flood levy, opened 12 acres of developable land and created new green space along the Olentangy River.
Last month, the green space got a facelift thanks to 25 newly planted trees in conjunction with Earth Day and the university’s Sesquicentennial.
“We planted 25 trees on each Ohio State campus, totaling 150 in honor of this year’s Sesquicentennial,” said University Landscape Architect Steve Volkmann.
Drip, drip, drip … If you stay quiet and listen closely, you can hear it. Water always finds a way and now Ohio State’s Facilities Operations and Development has embraced a unique way to track it.
“They listen to the water mains using acoustic methods,” said Brenda VanCleave, water engineer for FOD’s sustainability office. “They can pinpoint where there’s a leak within three meters of that leak.”
As part of ongoing leak detection surveys, FOD has partnered with a third-party crew that mounts their equipment onto fire hydrants and listen to the water main between the hydrants to...
While World Water Day comes just once a year, Brenda VanCleave doesn’t limit her water conservation to a single day. Instead, the Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) water resource engineer finds ways to integrate her morale responsibility into her favorite hobby.
“My garden at my house is my getaway,” VanCleave said.
VanCleave has been tending to her garden for the past 15 years and finds that it’s the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors.
“I have a rain barrel that can feed the garden,” VanCleave said, with an unwavering commitment to sustainability and water conservation....
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...
Rainwater and water from vehicle washing and over-irrigation flow into storm drains located in parking lots, streets, and gutters. These drains are connected through a series of underground pipes that carry water directly to our rivers, lakes, and streams.
Unlike the sanitary sewer that carries water from the drains in your home to the wastewater treatment plant, the storm sewer system carries untreated water straight to the river. Everything that goes into a storm drain is discharged into our waterways.
Ohio State adopted a zero-waste goal in 2015 as part of a list of sustainability goals set by the university, according to Ohio State’s sustainability website. One goal was to divert 90 percent of Ohio State’s 20,000 tons of annual campus waste from landfills by 2025. Strides have been made toward achieving zero waste on campus, but a lack of knowledge on proper recycling techniques and accessible compost bins on campus creates a challenge for students who wish to help in the effort, according...
For the ninth year in a row, The Ohio State University is proud to earn a Tree Campus USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. Ohio State has received the distinction each year since it first applied in 2011. Tree Campus USA, an Arbor Day Foundation program launched in 2008, honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.
The honor aligns with Ohio State's sustainability goals , including a commitment to increase the ecosystem services that campus lands provide to the university community....
Compost. Trash. Recycle. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees followed three simple steps in an effort to make its November meeting a zero waste event in support of the university’s overall sustainability goals .
Zero waste is defined as diverting 90% or more of waste from the landfill. Ohio State’s goal is to become a zero waste campus through recycling, compost and reuse by 2025.
“We hope that today marks the first official zero waste Board of Trustees meeting,” said Mary Leciejewski, zero waste manager with Ohio State’s Facilities Operations and Development. “We’ve made operational...
