The Anderson Student Center will open January 2012, and St. Thomas is working toward getting a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for sustainability through the U.S. Green Building Council.

Jim Brummer, construction manager and assistant physical plant director, said LEED operates with a point system where buildings can earn credits in different categories. There are four tiers in the system: basic certification, silver, gold and platinum.

“We are chasing the silver,” Brummer said.

Brummer said a committee of representatives from St. Thomas and Opus, the contractor building ASC, has been involved in making sure LEED certification can be met.

“That’s really just a small number of people involved in the LEED process, whether it’s the materials they are purchasing or the environment they are working in,” Brummer said. “There are owner responsibilities, general contractor responsibilities and sub-contractor responsibilities. That is all defined up front so everybody knows what role they play within the LEED process.”

Juniors Sean Griffin and Ross Bailey were unaware of the sustainability goal for the student center. However, both agree a more energy-efficient campus appeals to them.

“The fact we go to a university that is giving a strong effort (toward sustainability) really intrigues me,” Bailey said.

Senior Alisa Howell believes the sustainability efforts will have a positive impact on students.

“I think the more you see the green campus around, it’s going to make you more conscious and aware,” she said. “You’ll be more apt to do it in the community and probably bring that into your home as well.”

Bob Douglas, St. Thomas sustainability committee chair, said it is the university’s mission to commit to sustainability.

“There are issues behind issues behind issues in sustainability; and the more people know about it, then the more we see why the last two popes were very much advocates of sustainability and fair trade,” Douglas said. “It’s part of the Catholic ethos, and so it should be part of our institution.”

Brummer said a goal of silver for the student center is a balance between economics and payback periods of certain points awarded.

“Some venues are harder to achieve the LEED gold or the LEED platinum… like an office building. Here we have different kitchen venues and just different usage that makes it a little more challenging to get the higher LEED certification,” Brummer said.

Brummer said LEED certification considers more than energy savings, like reusing materials and managing the cleanliness of a job site during construction. Preventing airborne dust from entering air ducts and considering thermal comfort when constructing a building are varying ways to gain LEED credits, Brummer said.

Brummer explained innovation and design, a point category in LEED certification, as “kind of a wildcard.” The purpose of this category is to get designers thinking outside the typical categories. ASC will have an educational program for this category.

“There is going to be a touch panel to share with the occupants and the visitors (to show the building’s) energy usage. In addition to that, there is going to be educational signage placed around the building,” Brummer said.

Patrick Roche can be reached at roch6667@stthomas.edu.