MY INTERVIEW WITH FACILITIES DIRECTOR MARK MURPHY ON GREENING CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

1. When did the Iona campus exactly start becoming more environmentally conscious? And why? How did it come about?

A: Iona’s first steps to becoming more environmentally conscious started with the recycling of bottles, cans, glass, waste oils, computer parts, light bulbs, batteries, cardboard and white paper. We also installed park benches on campus that were made from recycled plastic. These first steps started about 12 years ago. At that time the Facilities Department was being approached by the Iona community with questions of what we could do in terms of recycling.

2. Did you work together with the Environmental Concerns Committee, in order to start getting Iona to be "greener"?

A: Fredrica Rudell was the pioneer on campus. She seemed to get things started and helped with the push to get more of the college community involved. At the beginning we were taking her advice on what to do and how to get started but now Facilities is constantly looking for more ways to be “Green”.

3. What specific things have been done on campus to make it "greener"?

A: All of the items in answer #1 plus; we use electric golf carts to get around campus, we are installing low water use toilets (they use half the amount of a regular toilet), products made of recycled materials (toilet tissue, paper towels and benches), changing light fixtures on campus to more energy efficient ones, installing motion sensors in classrooms, bathrooms and office spaces to automatically turn the lights off when no one is in the room. We have an underground stream running below Spellman that we have tapped into. Since the water is at a consist 50 degrees we are running this water through a coil to make our own air conditioner for part of Spellman Hall. We have been installing new windows in many of the building in order to save on energy. Four years ago we hired James Call, an engineer, who has helped Iona by implementing low cost/no cost solutions that has saved the college hundreds of thousands of dollars. Along with this we have cut our Co2 a missions, reduce our electricity, natural gas and fuel oil dependency.

4. How are the new renovated libraries more "green"?

A: The lighting fixtures and HVAC equipment are more energy efficient. We installed new windows and more insulation. A sky light was installed to bring more natural light into the space. We installed some low water use toilets too.

5. Are there any other specific things that you are doing on campus currently or working towards in the future to provide for a more environmentally friendly campus?

A: We are consistently looking for new ways to save on energy or to be more environmentally friendly. We are working with Con Ed and NYSERDA now to change the light fixtures in the parking garage which should save about 30-40% on electricity use. We are also doing an audit on all building to see where we can implement the Con Ed and NYSERDA incentive program to lower of energy use.