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<\/a><\/p>\nThe Green Ribbon Cutting at the Rio Grande Garage<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Rio Grande Campus parking garage, which opened this semester and provides more than 500 new spaces, earned a 3-star Green Building Rating from Austin Energy, which awards the rating for the design, construction, and operation of sustainable buildings.<\/p>\n
Austin Energy presented ACC its 3-star recognition on Thursday at the college\u2019s Great Big Green Get-Together, an event honoring the garage team\u2019s achievement and the college\u2019s pledge to reducing its impact on the environment.<\/p>\n
\u00a0ACC\u2019s commitment to green actually started with blue.<\/p>\n
Blue recycling containers began popping up in more places across ACC\u2019s campuses last year, fueled by students encouraging the college to expand its recycling program and become more environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n
That movement got a big boost in February, when the ACC Board of Trustees passed a policy directing the college to incorporate sustainability in all operations and projects. ACC hired a director of environmental stewardship, Andy Kim, to guide the initiatives.<\/p>\n
Sustainable construction is one of Kim\u2019s passions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m an architect, and architecture is living art that needs to coexist with the earth,\u201d said Kim. \u201cSustainability will be an integral component of future ACC growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was definitely an integral component of the Rio Grande garage construction. The team managed to divert 80 percent of construction waste from landfills for reuse or recycling. Almost all of the construction materials came from within Texas, reducing transportation expenses, fuel consumption, and pollution. The construction materials included 40 percent recycled content.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nACC President Dr. Stephen Kinslow accepts the 3-star green building recognition from Dr. Liana Kallivoka of Austin Energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cA 3-star rating is very impressive,\u201d said Dr. Liana Kallivoka, with Austin Energy\u2019s Green Building program. \u201cIt shows a true dedication to sustainability. Austin Energy is excited to continue working with ACC as the college continues its sustainable construction efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n
ACC showcased other sustainability initiatives at the Green Get-Together as well. Students and faculty had a chance to find out more about Green Pass, a pilot program starting in January that gives Capital Metro bus passes to students, faculty, and staff at no cost to them. Capital Metro was on hand to help ACC students and employees determine the best ways to get from campus to campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need everyone\u2019s help to create a sustainable ACC,\u201d said Kim. \u201cGreen Pass is one easy way to get on board.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bicycle Sport Shop also took part in the event, with advice on how to efficiently and safely commute to campus on a bike. For those who drive low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicles, ACC began the Green Car preferred parking program this fall.<\/p>\n
Addie Broussard, an environmental science major, applauds the college for rolling out a variety of sustainability initiatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives me another reason to boast about how great it is to be part of ACC,\u201d said Broussard, a member of Students for Environmental Outreach. \u201cWhat we\u2019re doing helps raise awareness, and that\u2019s the first step to protecting the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n
ACC does more than practice the sustainability message \u2013 the college also teaches it, offering courses in areas such as solar technology, wind power, green building, and weatherization.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are at the forefront of the push to educate Texans for these 21st<\/sup> century jobs,\u201d said Dr. Hector Aguilar, a professor in ACC\u2019s Electronics and Advanced Technologies Department.<\/p>\n Students provide information about sustainability initiatives at the Great Big Green Get-Together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The college made information about its alternative energy education programs available during the Great Big Green Get-Together. Professor Dave Kollen was at the event to spread the word about his sustainable business practices course, which trains students in ways they can make companies environmentally-friendly.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it will make students more marketable,\u201d said Kollen. \u201cPeople recognize the need for reducing their impact on the environment, and businesses play an important role in creating a more sustainable society.\u201d<\/p>\n Colleges play an important role too, according to Addie Broussard.<\/p>\n \u201cAt ACC, we are making positive changes,\u201d she said. \u201cEducation is key when it comes to getting people to go green, and colleges and universities have the ability to lead the way to environmental solutions.\u00a0 We can set examples and improve our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n For ACC Board of Trustees Chairperson Nan McRaven, it\u2019s all about responsibility.<\/p>\n \u201cSustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs,\u201d said McRaven. \u201cWhat we do today will have a lasting impact at ACC.\u201d<\/p>\n To learn more about ACC\u2019s commitment to environmental stewardship, visit austincc.edu\/sustainability<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ACC celebrated its commitment to sustainability at the dedication of its first green-rated building. The Rio Grande Campus parking garage, which opened this semester and provides more than 500 new spaces, earned a 3-star Green … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n