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INTERIORS PHOTOS COURTESY OF TANDUS FLOORING MAKE MINE MODULAR Recycled carpet tile is growing in popularity on campuses across the country. By W HEN PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY renovated its Elkins Auditorium in 2009, it gutted the building down to the studs, added 100 additional seats, and remodeled the interior. As part of the project, the roll-up carpeting was replaced with patterned carpet tiles. The University, in Malibu, CA, found the carpet tiles were so easy to maintain that it has decided to incorporate them in all renovation projects on campus. When carpet sections are stained, maintenance workers can simply replace the soiled square with a new tile. Not only are they easy to replace, but they also are made of at least 40 percent recycled content. "When we do new projects or renovations, we've committed to using carpet tiles," says Rhiannon Bailard, 56 SHERRIE NEGREA associate vice president for Pepperdine's Center for Sustainability, Governmental, and Regulatory Affairs. "I think it actually looks better aesthetically, and it's a really good quality product." As colleges and universities focus on strategies to make their campuses more sustainable, they are increasingly turning to green flooring products such as carpet tiles. While many schools are still installing traditional broadloom carpeting, they are using carpet tiles on floors that were once covered with vinyl or other hard surfaces, such as those in classrooms. A Sound Choice At Oregon State University, for example, carpet tile has been installed in 20 buildings on campus, mostly in COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / MAY 2013 There are many advantages to using modular carpet tiles. They are available in a variety of designs, styles, colors, and patterns. Some of the most popular varieties of these modular tiles include self-adhesive, dry-backed, and interlocking. The tiles are also easy to clean or replace as needed, so replacing entire rooms of broadloom carpet can be avoided. WWW.PLANNING 4EDUCATION.COM