UC San Diego Unveils
Sustainability Resource Center

November 17, 2009

By Christine Clark

Located at the heart of campus in the Price Center, the Sustainability Resource Center will be home to campus sustainability staff and the student-funded Student Sustainability Collective.

Students at one of the nation’s greenest universities won’t have to go far to get involved in the green revolution. On Nov. 20  UC San Diego will unveil the Sustainability Resource Center, a one-stop-sustainability-shop where students can learn about green jobs and courses on sustainability-related topics, how to conserve energy and water or find eco-friendly products.

The opening comes after Greenopia magazine recently ranked UC San Diego the ninth greenest university and the Sustainable Endowments Institute named UC San Diego one of the nation’s 26 greenest campuses in its 2010 College Sustainability Report Card.

Located at the heart of campus in the Price Center, the Sustainability Resource Center will be home to campus sustainability staff and the student-funded Student Sustainability Collective. This unique collaboration between students and staff will work to achieve common sustainability goals and reach out to students, faculty and staff and the surrounding community. The center will have a public outreach space and a library showcasing sustainability research projects at UC San Diego. 

The opening will be celebrated with a ceremony at 3 p.m., Nov. 20 in the Price Center Theater where Chancellor Marye Anne Fox; Steve Relyea, Vice Chancellor – External and Business Affairs; Gary Matthews, Vice Chancellor -- Resource Management and Planning; Maggie Souder, Campus Sustainability Coordinator, and students will speak.

With the goal to earn the highest possible Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the Sustainability Resource Center features countertops made from recycled paper and glass and eco-friendly paint. In addition, the Sustainability Resource Center features an innovative energy-saving lighting system where 100 percent of the high-efficiency lighting is energized by solar panels located directly above the center.

With the goal to earn the highest possible Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the Sustainability Resource Center features countertops made from recycled paper and glass and eco-friendly paint. Part of the flooring is reclaimed from a demolished building. Other flooring includes bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource, and eco-friendly carpeting.  In addition, the Sustainability Resource Center features an innovative energy-saving lighting system where 100 percent of the high-efficiency lighting is energized by solar panels located directly above the center.

“This Center will be a place where anyone and everyone can collaborate on climate change solutions and participate to make a difference,” said Souder, who worked with key students to lead the center’s opening. “So many people have been working hard to make the opening happen – the contractor, project managers, donors, students, staff, and the campus administration. The support for this project has been beyond anyone’s expectations, which is an indication of just how important sustainability is to the UC San Diego community.”

Souder added that the initiative of UC San Diego students was a major driving force behind establishing the center. Students found the space and approved the Associated Students fee referendum which funds the Student Sustainability Collective, a student group based out of the center that is dedicated to promoting an active culture of sustainability on campus and in the community.

“I’m thrilled that the Sustainability Resource Center is opening because it gives students, staff and faculty a physical space for collaboration,” said senior and Sustainability Resource Center co-founder Fran Avendaño. “It also provides us with the resources to help accelerate the sustainability movement on campus.”

The Sustainability Resource Center officially opens for business on Dec. 1. For more information, go to http://sustain.ucsd.edu/involve/get-involved.html

Media Contact: Christine Clark, 858-534-7618 or ceclark@ucsd.edu