Awards & Accomplishments

Sustainability Accomplishments (2005-2009)

Energy

Established new building energy-efficiency program that is ahead of target for “Getting to 50%,” i.e.constructing buildings that consume half the energy of other university buildings in California and perform 30% better than required by Title 24.
Commted to zero net energy and climate neutrality by 2020, as part of the Triple Zero Commitment in UC Merced’s 2009 Long Range Development Plan.
Constructed 8.5-acre, 1 MW solar photovoltaic array serving approximately 20% of campus electricity.
Secured $1 million grant from the California Energy Commission in 2009 that will result in: (1) direct energy savings in Science & Engineering I; (2) a monitoring specification for future buildings to better maintain our campus energy efficiency resource; (3) optimization of a renewable energy portfolio built around solar power and (4) a pilot plasma-gasification (waste-to-energy) system.

Green Building

Prior to construction of the new campus, UC Merced made the commitment that all newly constructed buildings meet a minimum LEED Silver certification. Six buildings exceeded that commitment receiving gold certification and two buildings received silver certification.
Recipient of 2007 UC-CSU-CCC Best Practices Award (Overall Sustainable Design) for Central Plant and Classroom and Office Building.
Recipient of 2008 UC-CSU-CCC Best Practices Award (Overall Sustainable Design) Honorable Mention for Kolligian Library.
Recipient of 2008 International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories Go Beyond Award (New Construction Project) Honorable Mention for Science and Engineering I Building.
Recipient of 2009 UC-CSU-CCC Best Practices Award (Overall Sustainable Design) Honorable Mention for Science and Engineering I Building.
UC Merced committed in 2009 that all newly constructed buildings meet a minimum of LEED Gold certification.

Water

UC Merced’s LEED-certified buildings designed to use 44% less water than comparable buildings.
Completed first campuswide water-use inventory in 2009.
Established a campus Sustainable Water Advisory Group (SWAG) in 2009.

The Art of Symbiosis Video Contest Honorable Mention. Video: youtu.be/QE7g5VmvzNM

Food

Released nutrition information on more than 80% of campus dining services recipes.
Established a campus “back of the house” pre-consumer food-composting program.
Added local produce component to dining commons purchasing requirements.
Educated potential campus vendors on the university’s definition of local produce and how to navigate the procurement process.

Waste and Recycling

Produced third-highest waste-diversion rate in UC System in first full year of campus operation.
Enhanced recordkeeping for all campus waste diverted from the Merced County landfill.
Developed and implemented recycling awareness presentation at campus new-employee orientation.
Assisted student and campus groups with presentations on recycling awareness and education.
Developed recycling website: http://recycle.ucmerced.edu/.
Committed to zero landfill waste by 2020, as part of the Triple Zero Commitment in UC Merced’s 2009 Long Range Development Plan.

Procurement

Initiated sustainability award criteria in UC Systemwide Strategic Sourcing process.
Recipient of 2006 UC-CSU-CCC Best Practices Award (Buy Recycled, Sustainable Operations).
Implemented sustainable standards contracts for campus furnishings, equipment, supplies and services.
Created sustainability provision included on purchase orders for goods and services.
Presented sessions on Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP), EPP Best Practices, and Toxic-Use Reduction to other UC campuses, institutions and community groups.
Hosted strategic vendor fairs focused on sustainable products and services.
Initiated “Building Local Partnerships” event co-hosted by UC Merced Purchasing and the local Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce with participation by other public agencies.

Transportation

Human Resources

UC Merced Human Resources was an “early adopter” becoming a sustainability stakeholder soon after the campus committee was formed in late 2007.
Started campus wellness program in 2008.
Added sustainability section to staff job description form in 2009.
Added sustainability section to staff performance evaluation form in 2009. Conservation Land
Placed more than 30,000 acres of vernal pool grasslands into permanent preservation adjacent to campus through partnerships with foundations, conservation organizations, and government agencies.
Drafted UC Merced Conservation Lands Management Plan.
Initiated dialogue with Sierra Nevada Research Institute regarding management of conservation land.

Outreach

Presented a session on regional sustainability and UC Merced at the 2009 UC Merced Great Valley Center annual conference: 20/20 Foresight - A View of the Great Valley in A Decade.
Made the sustainability “business case” presentation to Merced Downtown Rotary in April 2009.
Made the sustainability “business case” presentation to campus administrative officers in March 2009.
Presented at UC-CSU-CCC Sustainability Conference in 2007, 2008 and 2009.University Community
Began revision of the University Community Plan to reflect conservation goals and bestpractices for the future development of a mixed-use community adjacent to the campus. Planning
UC Merced Long Range Development Plan update was the recipient of a 2009 Governor’s Economic and Environmental Leadership Award.
Cited by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as a Leading Example for Climate Neutral Research Campuses (Land Use Planning).