Sustainability Initiatives (Thinking Green)

California State University, Fresno is committed to taking a lead position in sustainable practices throughout the community. Sustainability, the ability to meet the needs of today without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs, has become a key priority for many universities and Fresno State in particular. Within Facilities Management, we understand that sustainability is not about obtaining a certain goal, like recycling, but is a multi-faceted journey that requires constant growth and awareness.

Facilities Management is actively looking at ways to help promote sustainability initiatives and increase awareness by exploring and implementing greener alternatives in the campus' infrastructure, construction, and maintenance practices. Some of these initiatives include:

  • Projects focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy implementation, such as our Solar Photovoltaic Canopy Parking structure. This structure is estimated to provide 20% of core campus power. The system will offset approximately 950 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions - that is the equivalent to planting over 24,300 trees or eliminating from our road systems over 200 vehicles a year.
  • Energy Saving Programs - Facilities Management has implemented the following Energy Savings Programs
    • Conversion of existing indoor lighting to T-8 florescent lamps and electronic ballasts
    • Installation of variable speed drives on various HVAC air handlers
    • Installation of in-direct evaporative coolers in the North Gym
    • Installation of a 30,000 ton/hour thermal energy storage tank
    • Improvement of the outdoor lighting throughout the campus. See the "Safe Lighting Path"
    • Installation of occupancy sensors in classrooms, offices, and athletic facilities
    • Installation of Vending Misers on soft drink machines
    • Installation of window film to reduce HVAC requirements
    • Replacement of 42,000 standard florescent lamps with 22,000 high efficiency lamps throughout the campus
    • Installation of a "plate and frame" heat exchanger for free cooling
    • Installation of adjustable frequency drives on pumps and cooling tower
    • Upgrade of the Energy Management System computer software
    • Re-commissioning of the Science I and Kremen Education buildings systems (Building Commissioning)
    • Re-commissioning of the Central Plant, Family and Food Science and Social Science HVAC systems (Building Commissioning)
    • Conversion of electric motors to high efficiency motors
    • Replacement of existing boilers with high-tech boilers, reducing fuel consumption by 17%
  • Energy Bulldogs - In 2000 Facilities Management began hiring students who walk the campus building to building turning off lights in unoccupied spaces and turning off non-essential equipment. The program has expanded and become proactive in educating faculty, staff and students and now offers energy tips for both campus and home.
  • Integrated Design Construction Practices - Facilities Management works with contractors and architects to create integrated designs that maximize building infrastructure without sacrificing the environment.
  • Air Quality - Facilities Management is working to lower its carbon footprint on campus through conservation, better space utilization, developing green spaces and planning trees, encouraging the use of CNG vehicles and development of renewable energy projects
  • Interiors Development - Facilities Management dynamically explores and wherever possible uses greener alternatives in the campus environment. These materials include:
    • Carpet
    • Paints
    • Adhesives
    • Textiles
    • Furniture - including:
      • Request for alternative product packaging for waste reduction
      • Used furniture repurposing
  • Outside Environments - Facilities Management is working on developing and improving its outdoor spaces to help preserve the environments by:
    • Use of semi-permeable paving materials to reduce storm drain run-off
    • Low water use plant materials
    • Mulching planting beds
    • Automatic Irrigation
    • Cut irrigation use of campus by 30%