SOU Awarded Prestigious LEED® Green Building Certification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2014
For more information contact:
D. Roxane Beigel-Coryell, Sustainability & Recycling Coordinator
beigelcod@sou.edu
541-552-8139

“SOU is pleased to receive LEED Gold Certification for the new Raider Village,” says Drew Gilliland, SOU Director of Facilities Management & Planning. “This is the campus’ largest project to date. We are proud to have surpassed our goal of LEED Silver Certification for all new construction and look forward to continuing to meet and exceed this goal with future projects.”
The Raider Village is the newest development in sustainable campus living and a unique experience that has no equal in the Oregon University System. The Village includes 195,000 sf of new student housing, 24,000 sf of dining opportunities and over 6.8 acres of renovated landscaping, parking and pedestrian paths. Raider Village is an interactive learning community of environmental stewardship and inspiration.
SOU achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. “SOU’s Raider Village LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and SOU serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”
Sustainable building practices were employed throughout the design and construction of the Raider Village residence and dining complex. The project sourced 26% of materials within 500 miles and diverted a staggering 86% of construction waste from the landfill. Students enjoy daylit common spaces, thermostat controls for each unit, and bicycle storage in each room. The site also features six electric vehicle charging stations, improved pedestrian crossings to enhance walkability, and 160 covered bicycle stalls throughout Raider Village.
Additional sustainable building strategies featured in Raider Village include:

• 11.2% on-site renewable energy generation for all new buildings including solar water heating and photovoltaic electricity generation;
• 45% water reduction beyond building code with water conserving plumbing fixtures;
• Lighting sensors and advanced controls to reduce energy use in vacant spaces;
• Non-potable water used for landscaping;
• Reduced on-site parking;
• LoVOC or NoVOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) materials and furnishings used inside buildings and during construction.

About US Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. https://www.usgbc.org/
About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.
 

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