Sustainability Update

Green Room Certification is getting off to a roaring start this year. The number of certified dorm rooms on campus has already surpassed that of last year, with 21 so far this semester. There were only 20 all of last year.

Green room certification is a way for students to get recognition for living a sustainable lifestyle on campus. There are three levels of certification each more rigorous than the next.

Students can certify their room individually or with their roommates. To reach level one certification, you must fill out the green room certification application and sign the energy conservation pledge, both located on the sustainability website.

Once you reach level one, you can apply for level two, which requires you to go to two sustainability-related events and fill out a shower worksheet to track your water consumption. From there you can apply for level three certification, where you have to check out a watt meter to measure how much energy you use on a daily basis in your room.

As soon as you reach level one certification, you will get a sticker to put on the outside of your door acknowledging that it is a green room and what certification level you are.

There are currently 21 green certified rooms. The class of 2014 is in the lead with 12 rooms certified, 2013 and 2015 are tied with four rooms each, and 2012 has one. Of all the residence halls on campus, Miller has the highest number of certified rooms.

In addition, there is also a green office certification program for faculty and staff. Participation in the green office program is up from three last year to 12 this year. The application for the green office program is also located on the sustainability website.

To see the statistics of green room certification and to start the application process, go to luther.edu/sustainability and look under the energy section.