Green Features of Pitzer, Atherton and Sanborn Halls

Phase I of Pitzer College’s new residence hall project has been awarded achieve Gold certification, the highest rating ever awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for residence hall construction. Below are a few of the more than forty sustainable features incorporated into the design and building process.

• The Pitzer Hall green garden roof system is an extension of the existing roof that includes a high-quality water proofing and root repellant system, a drainage system, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium and plants. Among other benefits, green roofs assist with stormwater runoff and reduce energy use by insulating buildings.
• Compact fluorescent bulbs are used throughout the halls and the amount of exterior lighting is minimal to reduce light pollution while still maintaining security.
• Photovoltaic (PV) roof panels provide fifteen kilowatts of renewable energy daily. PV panels absorb the energy of the sun and convert that energy into electricity. PV systems generate electricity without any heat-trapping gas emissions.
• All residence halls are constructed of building materials made of recycled content including structural steel, carpeting and insulation.
• Green cleaning products are used by custodial staff for common rooms and these products are also available for students to use in their individual rooms.
• Rainwater percolates through the permeable asphalt. This process filters impurities prior to reaching the stormwater system.

Residential Student Room
The energy design system for Atherton, Pitzer and Sanborn Halls reduces energy costs by up to 32 percent due to compact fluorescent lighting, daylighting, insulation, chilled water and operable windows with inter-lock (see room diagram at right). The bathrooms feature low flow shower heads, faucets and toilets. In residential rooms and throughout the halls low emitting materials, including adhesives, sealants, paints and carpets were used.

Tips for Sustainable Residence Hall Living: What You Can Do

• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They screw into almost any standard lamp, give off pleasant light, last ten times longer, and use a fraction of the energy.
• Purchase low-wattage electronic devices that are certified by the EPA “ENERGY STAR” program. Make sure to push the button that activates the energy-efficient mode if necessary.
• Unplug TVs, stereos, computers and other electronics when not in use. Many of these devices are a power drain even when they are turned off, consuming as much as 40 percent of the energy they use when on.
• Use a water filter and reusable water bottle instead of buying cases of water. On average, the U.S. consumes 50 billion bottles of water annually that requires
  2.7 million tons of plastic to produce and generates 2.5 million tons of CO2.
• Buy towels and sheets made from organic cotton. Not only are the linens free of chemicals, they are made without using harmful pesticides.
• Use reusable kitchenware instead of buying plastic cups and paper plates.

Green Bike Program
Pitzer’s Green Bike Program (GBP) urges students and the community to rely on an alternate and low-impact means of transportation by making bikes accessible for Pitzer students, faculty and staff and providing
on-campus maintenance for all Claremont University Consortium bike riders.

At the end of each semester, Campus Safety confiscates abandoned bikes left on campus. Usually, these bikes end up in a landfill, but thanks to the GBP, they are refurbished and raffled off to students each semester at no charge. All students can bring their bikes to the shop for repairs. Visit www.pitzer.edu/student_life/gbp for more information.

Organic Garden
Since 1994, Pitzer’s organic garden has been used to teach principles of sustainable agriculture and encourage College community members to become more connected with the source of their food. Pitzer students, faculty, staff and community members produce a vast and varied array of food, flowers and herbs. Community gardeners harvest extra produce and herbs from their plots each week for their family and friends. To support the organic garden, food waste is collected from preparation and post-preparation in McConnell Dining Hall to create nutrient rich compost. This organic compost provides the ecosystem necessary to grow nutritious food while also decreasing the demand for landfill space.

The Shakedown Café
Pitzer’s student-run Shakedown Café serves organic and locally-grown meals. Along with wholesome food, the café’s managers also strive to make eating at the Shakedown a true experience in art, music and discussion.