SCUP 2010 Southern Metro Mini

"Sustaining Higher Education in an Age of Challenge"

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
University of Houston, University Center
Houston, TX (USA)
9:30 AM–3:30 PM

Thank you to everyone who attended this event to help make it a success. Conference proceedings will be available soon.

Final List of Registrants (PDF)*
*This is only available to conference attendees.

Final Program (PDF)

Higher education has never seen more challenging times than now. There are no guaranteed resources for programs, faculty, or facilities. Even our natural resources have been challenging to sustain, and both mother nature and human nature have dealt our institution major blows over the past decade. Institutions are required to plan for circumstances that are unpredictable both economically and environmentally.

Join us on the beautiful University of Houston campus at the University Center as we discuss …

  • Campus sustainability commitment: Can we afford it or how can we afford not to?
  • Stewardship of natural resources: What unique challenges does coastal Texas face and how are they being dealt with?
  • Sustainable best practices in budgeting, academics, student affairs, and facilities.

We will hear from the leadership of the University of Houston, Rice University, Texas A & M, and others on how their institutions are realizing return on the commitment to sustainability. Following the conference, there will be an optional brief tour of some of the recent significant projects on the campus.

Agenda

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 9:00 AM–9:45 AM
Registration

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Embracing and Embedding Sustainability in Academia

Presented by: Richard Johnson, Director Of Energy And Sustainability, Rice University

Abstract:

In 2008 Rice University adopted a sustainable facilities policy, underscoring their goal “of designing, constructing, operating and maintaining its buildings, grounds, and infrastructure in such a way as to be described as ecologically restorative.” Over the past decade or two, many colleges and universities have embraced the concept of sustainability in some broad manner, and are now attempting to embed it into their institutions.  Richard Johnson, Rice University’s Director of Sustainability, will discuss the rise of the campus sustainability movement in higher education and share lessons for launching and sustaining a campus sustainability program.
 

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Describe and compare the challenges associated with building a sustainability program or position.
  2. Evaluate the responsibilities of this position and how the campus policy drives day-to-day activities.
  3. Define and identify how to conduct a preliminary assessment on how and what your organization is doing from a sustainability perspective.
  4. Discuss and explore the current initiatives and priorities of a private university.

Continuing Education Credits:
AIA LU/HSW/SD 1.0 unit (S10M11)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Sustainable Best Practices in Budgeting, Academic Programs, and Facilities

Presented by: Wayne Robertson, President, Energy Ace; Dennis Topper, Retired-Interim President , Lee College

Abstract:

Today’s colleges and universities face ever-increasing challenges in budgeting with decreased state support for public institutions and dwindling endowments and uncertain enrollments for private institutions.  Academic programs are changing at an ever-increasing rate to meet the changing needs of students and faculty, and facilities are required to change to meet these changing needs in budget and academics.  Overlaying all of this change is the awareness that new models of sustainability need to be developed to meet the needs in each of these areas.  This panel will examine best practices in each of these areas and share what their institutions and organizations are doing to help meet these changing needs.

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Explain budget and expenditure reduction measures that are being done to meet shrinking budgets and maintain institutional sustainability.
  2. Discover how a private institution, a public institution, and a private corporation each address the problem of lowering carbon emissions and energy costs.
  3. Discuss how academics are being affected by changes in energy and sustainability policy and what is being done through technology to help make teaching more sustainable.
  4. Illustrate and explain what sustainable measures related to buildings and grounds have been taken in order to help institutions meet growing budget challenges.

Continuing Education Credits:
AIA LU/HSW/SD 1.0 unit (S10M12)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 12:00 PM–12:30 PM
Lunch

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 12:30 PM–1:30 PM
Helios Plaza- A Platinum Commitment

Presented by: Gavin Dillingham, Director of Sustainable Growth, City of Houston; David Kinnaird, Project Director, BP

Abstract:

BP is a leading provider of energy for the needs of our ever-changing world. BP will share their approach to sustainability and how they are managing the impacts of their operations on the environment. Carbon Sequestration, Solar Power, controlling emissions and Alternative Energy Initiatives are all issues BP is addressing in a proactive and responsible manner and they have brought this leadership into the design and construction of facilities that support their businesses.

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Discuss and give examples of how a major oil company views their responsibilities related to sustainability.
  2. Describe how to minimize the impact- energy operations has on  the environment, within BP.
  3. Discuss and give examples of sustainability and how it is incorporated into BP's new Houston Trading Center facility.
  4. Discuss carbon sequestration, solar power, controlling emissions and alternative energy initiatives that BP is addressing in a proactive manner.

Continuing Education Credits:
AIA LU/HSW/SD 1.0 unit (S10M13)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 1:30 PM–2:30 PM
Respect. Honor. Preserve. Aggies Leading the Way to Sustainability.

Presented by: Keaton Tucker, Student, President, Emerging Green Builders; Kelly Wellman, Director of Sustainability, Texas A & M University-College Station

Abstract:

Texas A&M has embarked upon a sustainability program that impacts the University from the Administration to the Students. This session will provide insight into Texas A&M's philosophy related to sustainability, the efforts made to engage and collaborate with multiple campus constituents and how the University is tracking their success.

The Emerging Green Builders chapter will also share how they are supporting the campus sustainability efforts through education and action and how their efforts have made a difference to the campus and surrounding community.

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Evaluate strategies for engaging multiple constituents to develop a plan to meet the sustainability objectives of the campus.
  2. Manage strategies used for recruiting leadership groups that can positively impact the sustainable outcomes on campus.
  3. Discover and recognize tracking impacts of sustainability programs.
  4. Interpret partnerships, so that others understand the part of  Administration and Student groups taken, in order to obtain sustainability, throughout the campus.

Continuing Education Credits:
AIA LU/HSW/SD 1.0 unit (S10M15)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 2:30 PM–3:30 PM
Greening Higher Education Facilities

Presented by: Dave Irvin, Assoc VC/VP, Plant Operations , University of Houston; Sameer Kapileshwair, Director of Utilities and Technical Systems, University of Houston; Joe Meppelink, Director of Applied Research, UH Gerald D.Hines College of Achitecture; Principal, METLAB, University of Houston

Abstract:

The University of Houston is approaching sustainability on several fronts.  Two recent efforts demonstrate the University's growing commitment to finding practical and relevant ways to green the University and the community at large.  On the administrative side, the Physical Plant department underwent a retro-commissioning program that successfully reduced the amount of energy usage for several campus buildings.  On the academic side, the College of Architecture faculty and staff developed a research initiative  that designs, develops and implements sustainable, renewable, green building components and systems across the architecture, engineering and construction industries.

Dave Irvin, Associate Vice Chancellor and Associate Vice President for Plant Operations, will introduce the session by sharing the UH Administration and Finance's recent efforts and successes in implementing sustainable strategies on campus facilities.  The UH Plant Operations received special recognition from CenterPoint Energy for successfully implementing energy efficient measures as a result of participation in the 2009 Commercial Retro-Commissioning Program. Under the direction of Sameer Kapileshwari, director of Utilities and Technical Systems, the Energy Management & Environmental Controls group has implemented suggested improvements for the last five years and has retro-commissioned 11 campus buildings. They have met and, in most cases, exceeded CenterPoint’s energy savings requirement. UH is the first and only customer in CenterPoint’s service territory to receive this recognition thus far. Their execution of energy improvements has saved the university approximately $1 million dollars annually in utility expenses.

The University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture is  greening the cutting edge of design and architecture with the UH Green Building Components (GBC) research initiative.  The effort is funded by nearly $1 million in grants that are to be disbursed over three years.  They will allow the college to fund faculty research initiatives as well as purchase state-of-the-art digital fabrication equipment for the design and development of environmentally sensitive building components for commercial use.  Joe Meppelink, adjunct assistant professor and faculty research coordinator for the college, will discuss how the UH Green Building Components hopes to develop industrial partnerships for projects that yield prototype green building components in the coming years.  He will also conduct a tour of the college's Keeland Design Exploration Center - a metal building recently transformed into a model of sustainable design and featuring the only sloped, green roof in the city. 

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Discuss and explain, how using HVAC, controls, and lighting modifications can improve comfort conditions and the indoor environment in retro-commissioned buildings.
  2. Explain strategies used retro-commissioning of buildings and its unique challenges.
  3. Describe how faculty, working with students and partnering with industry, can design and implement sustainable, renewable building components for the architecture, engineering and construction industries.
  4. Discuss and evaluate principals of careful planning and energy conservation that lead to the creation of a more sustainable environment - including development of ventilated workshop spaces, extensive use of natural light, installation of ‘green’ products and a planted roof-scape.

Continuing Education Credits:
AIA LU/HSW/SD 1.0 unit (S10M16)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 3:30 PM–4:30 PM
Tour of Keeland Design Exploration Center

Current Southern Regional Sponsors

Partner

Hendessi & Associates, www.hendessiassociates.com

Gold Colleague

Broaddus Planning, www.broaddusplanning.com
Facility Programming & Consulting, www.facilityprogramming.com
Kirksey Architecture, www.kirksey.com
Parsons Brinckerhoff, www.pbworld.com
VHB/Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., www.vhb.com

Silver Colleague

AECOM, www.aecom.com
Balfour Beatty Construction, www.balfourbeattyus.com
Clark Nexsen Architecture & Engineering, www.clarknexsen.com
Cooper Carry, Inc., www.coopercarry.com
Energy Ace, Inc., www.energyace.com
Hardin Construction Company, www.hardinconstruction.com
Heery International, Inc., www.heery.com
Lord, Aeck & Sargent, www.lasarchitect.com
Skanska USA Building, www.skanskausa.com
SmithGroup, www.smithgroup.com
The Winter Construction Company, www.winter-construction.com
Watson Tate Savory Architects, www.watsontatesavory.com 

Bronze Colleague

Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., www.kimley-horn.com
KSQ Architects, PC, www.ksqarchitects.com
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., www.mccarthy.com
Pfluger Associates Architects, L.P., www.pflugerassociates.com


Sponsorship list last updated April 6, 2010

 

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact:

Sponsorship Co-Chair
Lewis C Godwin
lewis.godwin@gpc.edu
Director/Planning Projects
Georgia Perimeter College
555 N Indian Creek Dr
Clarkston, GA 30021
678.891.3960
404.299.4430 Fax

Sponsorship Co-Chair
Gita Hendessi
gita@hendessiassociates.com
President
Gita Hendessi, Hendessi & Associates
1212 Collier Road NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404.605.0093
404.609.9657 Fax

SCUP Staff
Betty Cobb
betty.cobb@scup.org
1330 Eisenhower Place
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734.764.2004
fax 734.661.0573