| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.22 |
| Liaison | Rich Walker |
| Submission Date | April 22, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
IN-3: Innovation 3
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Kevin
Adkins Sustainability Officer Vice Chancellor for Administration |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
SIUE's Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) was awarded the Governor's Sustainability Award for significant achievements in environmental protection and positively impacting the Illinois state economy. In January of 2015 the ERTC was among 24 Illinois institutions, organizations, and companies honored at a ceremony in Chicago. The award is presented annually by the Illinois Sustainability Technology Center (ISTC), a unit of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois.
The ERTC is a center for continuing education of personnel involved in the operation, maintenance, and management of drinking water and wastewater treatment systems.
Solar panels are installed on the ERTC building, as well as the Science West building which houses a 30 kilowatt solar array. The electrical output displayed on video monitors in the new building helps demonstrate the usage to students and faculty, fostering a sense of the potential of sustainably sourced energy.
A 120-foot, 20 kilowatt wind turbine stands outside of the ERTC building.
In total, the university now has 140 solar panels, to the maintenance of more than 17,500-square-feet of green roof space.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
ERTC received the award for its 40-year commitment to the sustainability and protection of the waters of Illinois. The center was designed and built for the sole purpose of training drinking water supply and wastewater reclamation plant operators. ERTC is one of the most unique training centers in the nation. The instructors use its 30,000-gallon per day training-scale drinking water and wastewater treatment plant to teach students the skills needed to properly operate a plant. An example of the training impact that ERTC has on the water profession can be measured in the statistics from Fiscal Year 2013, when it trained more than 975 students and awarded more than 25,000 continuing education and contact hours. According to the former Governor Pat Quinn, investments in sustainability create jobs and bolster the state economy, and leads to a stronger future. Quinn stated also, "these awards foster innovation and encourage universities and businesses to help us build a stronger, greener Illinois" (St. Louis Post Dispatch, January 15, 2014, http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/illinois/siue-s-ertc-wins-governor-s-sustainability-award/article_2632b4a9-771f-52a1-ba1a-f8b37d21ef5b.html, accessed on March 22, 2016).
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | No |
| Research | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | No |
| Air & Climate | Yes |
| Buildings | No |
| Dining Services | No |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | No |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | No |
| Waste | No |
| Water | No |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | No |
| Investment | No |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.