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Trends in Green SUS TAINABLE INNOVAT IONS ON C AMPUS Hands-on Green in the City Chicago's Coyne College is preparing students for a greener future. C OYNE COLLEGE HAS MORE THAN 110 YEARS of experience in educating and preparing students for brighter futures through hands-on, dedicated career training. Located on two campuses in downtown Chicago, Coyne offers individualized instruction; flexible class schedules; and large, furnished labs. Coyne offers diploma and associate degree programs in a variety of fields including Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration; Electrical/Electronics; and Health Care. The College's home city of Chicago is known as a national leader in the use of green roofs, with more than 3,500,000 sq. ft. in place. In 2003, when architects were designing the building for Coyne College's main campus, located, coincidentally, on North Green Street in Chicago's West Loop, green roofs were rising in popularity in the city. Coyne felt the green roof concept aligned with its history of embracing new technology and partnering with the community. The College's green roof was installed in 2004 when the school building was erected. The green roof provides heating and cooling benefits, energy savings, and architectural interest. The vegetative roof is low maintenance, requiring very little care. Since its installation in 2004, the roof has successfully selfmaintained. No adjustments have been required since the roof's inception. Visitors to the campus may also be curious about the scenery adjacent to the facility's entrance. The area is covered by vinca ground-covering plants, impatience flowers, spring bulbs, summer annuals, and arborvitae trees — to name a few. Additionally, the anterior landscape has been upgraded with eight outdoor planters, weighing close to three tons apiece (including soil). Susan Elliott, Essential Workplace Skills instructor for the Green Street campus, explained that promoting environmental sustainability can have a positive impact on the student body. "It's important for students to be supported by their aesthetic environment," Elliott says. "This sets an example for students learning about HVAC and electrical systems … it's germane to their studies and complements their learning inquisitiveness." Green in the Curriculum Looking to the classroom, there are several aspects of green technology incorporated in each of Coyne Colleges' program offerings. In the Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration A.A.S. Degree and Diploma programs, geothermal technology is incorporated into course and lab work. In the Electrical Construction and Planning A.A.S. Degree program, students complete projects 62 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / FEBRUARY 2013 on LED and solar technology. One of the applied general education course requirements for completion of an A.A.S. Degree is Applied Environmental Science. This course introduces students to the environment and sustainability as it relates to the construction industry. Students gain a foundational understanding of energy conservation and green technology. Sustainability is a growing area of knowledge that students in these hands-on programs must be trained for, and Coyne's mission is to provide high-quality career-oriented degree and diploma programs leading to entry-level employment. Coyne recognizes that sustainability is an important subject to teach students because organizations are increasingly seeking employees with this knowledge. Still to Come Sustainable aspects of Coyne's physical presence in Chicago are not limited to the green roof and outside plantings. The College's building also features energy-efficient lighting throughout. However, at this point instructor influence has resulted in changes to curriculum more than physical changes to Coyne College's campuses. Geothermal, energy-efficient lighting, and solar panel equipment have been added to laboratories for hands-on training in those laboratories. Students learn aspects of green technology theory in the classroom and then apply knowledge in the practical laboratory setting. Students are responding well to this learning model. This year, Coyne plans to implement a campus-wide recycling program. In terms of program offerings, Coyne will continue to add concepts of green technology and sustainability into curriculum. Not at all limited by its location, Coyne's urban campus existence benefits the school in being "green." Because of its location within the city of Chicago, mentioned before as being a national leader in green roofs, Coyne has received community support and encouragement for its green roof. There are also many sustainability-related resources available to students, such as public transportation, that are unique to Coyne's urban setting. Overall, who can benefit from Coyne College's model of ecological sustainability? "Anyone and everyone," says Diana Barthelemy, Coyne's Green Street librarian. "Even though it's not always obvious in our daily lives, proper treatment of the environment can help us breathe cleaner air, slow global warming, and even save entire ecosystems." CPM WWW.PLANNING 4EDUCATION.COM