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Andrews Hall, a residence for freshmen, received
LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. |
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8/3/12Randolph-Macon President Robert R. Lindgren announced that the college has received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for Andrews Hall, its new residence for freshmen. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most recognized global standard for high-performance buildings that are efficient, cost-effective, and better for occupants and the environment. Andrews Hall, a 108-bed facility that opened in August 2011, is Randolph-Macon’s first building to receive Gold certification.
“Randolph-Macon has made it a priority to participate in the LEED program and obtain Gold certification for Andrews Hall,” says Randolph-Macon President Robert R. Lindgren. “We are thrilled with this acknowledgement of our efforts. With numerous construction projects underway and planned for future development, we will continue to work in accordance with the rigorous standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council.”
Andrews Hall is a 108-bed, suite-style freshmen facility that includes a 1,500-square-foot common room for academic and student organization use, study areas, a gaming/TV room, a laundry facility, a staff apartment and a community porch. Environmental features that contributed to the LEED Gold certification include geo-thermal wells to temper ground water for the heating and cooling system, a system to collect and recycle rain water for toilets, and solar panels on the eastern side of the roof to help with the cost of electricity.
Andrews Hall is also the first LEED Gold building in Hanover County. The college gained unanimous support from Hanover County Supervisors and Ashland Town Council to make the necessary changes to the county’s code regarding use of the public water system. Before the code change, rainwater reuse in buildings was not allowed.
Partnership with Hanover County and Town of Ashland “This was a win-win opportunity and after informing the public about the changes, we were happy to support Randolph-Macon’s conservation efforts,” says Cecil R. "Rhu" Harris Jr, Hanover County Administrator. “Now that the code is changed, other homes and businesses can follow these environmental initiatives set in motion by Randolph-Macon."
“Conservation efforts are integrated in all aspects of our planning,” said Charles Hartgrove, Ashland’s Town Manager. “Randolph-Macon has helped to establish a strong precedent for future development and we are grateful to them for their dedication to our environment and to our community.”
Commitment to Conservation and the Environment Andrews Hall is named in honor of Ira L. Andrews III ’59, R-MC professor emeritus of religious studies and retired dean of students. Construction of this facility was made possible with a lead gift from Stuart and Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon ’59, and by many generous donors recognized as “Friends of Ira.”
For more than a decade, R-MC has implemented various sustainability initiatives. Energy conservation measures include conversion of older lighting to high efficiency lighting, replacement of older single pane windows with double pane insulated windows, installing motion sensors in dormitory restrooms, and reducing water consumption by using low-flow shower heads. R-MC’s recycling programs include paper, cardboard, aluminum, glass, toner and inkjet cartridges, electronic waste, and used cooking oil, among other materials. The college has also been converting from fuel oil to natural and propane gas to reduce emissions.
R-MC’s conservation initiatives have received significant recognition from the Commonwealth of Virginia. In September 2010, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) presented a plaque to the college honoring R-MC’s acceptance into the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) at the E2 level (Environmental Excellence). R-MC is only the second academic institution in Virginia to have its entire campus in the DEQ’s E2 program. In April 2009, Virginia’s DEQ named Estes Dining Hall a Virginia Green Restaurant for instituting and promoting pollution prevention practices dealing with food preparation and handling as well as day-to-day operations. In December 2009, Macon Coffee restaurant received the same honor for eliminating the use of Styrofoam containers. Additionally, the campus participates in the annual RecycleMania competition. This national program promotes waste reduction on campus and serves as a benchmark for college and university recycling programs.
For more information about R-MC’s LEED Gold certification or sustainability initiatives, please contact Pam Harris Cox at (804) 752-3712, pamelacox@rmc.edu or Anne Marie Lauranzon at (804)752-7317, alauranz@rmc.edu.