Sustainability

Sustainability Tree Campus USA
SUNY Oneonta has earned recognition as a 2018 Tree Campus USA®
AASHE Stars Silver Rating
AASHE Stars Silver Rating
LEED Gold Certification
Physical Science is our first LEED Gold building on campus.

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SUNY Oneonta has earned recognition as a 2018 Tree Campus USA®. Tree Campus USA, an Arbor Day Foundation program, honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.

To obtain this distinction, SUNY Oneonta met the five core standards for effective campus forest management: a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning project. 

Overview

Sustainability is a fundamental value of SUNY Oneonta. The Office of Sustainability works with the entire campus community to plan, develop and facilitate coordinated sustainability efforts as related to operations, engagement and curriculum. Our mission is to foster a generation of environmental stewards and leaders who understand how their decisions impact society, business and the environment and to conduct operations on campus to serve as an example of responsible resource use. We advocate for a decision-making framework that considers the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability.

Fast Facts
50% of Courses Icon

50% of departments have a course designated for sustainability in their academic course content at SUNY Oneonta

Recycled Paper Icon

100% of paper purchased is made of 100% post-consumer recycled content and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council

LEED Gold Leaves Icon

Physical Science is our first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold building on campus.

Sustainability Features
Water Conservation
Fitzelle Water Conservation | Low-flow water fixtures reduce the building’s water consumption by 30 percent.
Insulating Window Glass
Fitzelle Insulating Window Glass | Insulating glass saves on monthly heating and cooling costs and also helped to reduce the initial size and cost of the heating and cooling equipment required to serve the building.
Window Awnings
Fitzelle Window Awnings | Window awnings can reduce solar heat gain in the summer by up to 65 percent on south-facing windows and 77 percent on west-facing windows, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
High-Efficiency Lighting
Fitzelle High-Efficiency Lighting | Throughout the building, there are 879 fluorescent lighting fixtures and 347 high-efficiency low-glare fixtures, plus 83 occupancy-sensors in stairwells and other locations to help reduce electricity use.
Natural Light
Fitzelle Natural Light | Daylighting is a vital part of energy conservation. The skylights, window-filled atrium, and clerestory windows save energy and provide an atmosphere of open, green space.
Sustainable Landscaping
Fitzelle Sustainable Landscaping | The amphitheater in front of the building and all the landscaping surrounding it feature plants native to the area rather than invasive species, which can harm the ecosystem by diminishing native species.
Central Printing
Fitzelle Central Printing | All departments in the building are networked to 10 multifunctional devices, cutting down on printing and supply costs.
Promoting a Culture of Sustainability
Fitzelle Promoting a Culture of Sustainability | A bike rack outside and two bathrooms with showers make it easier for employees to bike, walk or run to work.
Hydration Station
Fitzelle Hydration Stations | Three hydration stations (among 14 throughout the campus) promote the use of reusable water bottles.
Recycling
Fitzelle Recycling | The building has 12 large recycling stations in high-traffic areas, plus smaller units in all the office suites.

Contact

Office of Sustainability
Milne Library 310A

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
607-436-3312
Rachel.Kornhauser@oneonta.edu

Join the Office of Sustainability listserv to learn of events and opportunities.

Request Class Visit

Upon request, Sustainability Coordinator can come to your class to lead a discussion on sustainability initiatives on campus or other related topics.

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