The Advancing Green Building program completed four case studies of green building projects at College of Menominee Nations, Spelman College, Richland College and East Los Angeles College. Throughout the interviews, it became apparent that, though their experiences were different, the challenges and journey of these institutions during their quest for a sustainable campus could be a tremendous resource in helping other under-resourced institutions in their own effort for green construction on their campuses. Following are audio recordings to a few questions answered during our interviews with facilities managers, design and construction teams at the four institutions. The case studies can be accessed in their entirety under the Green Building Case Studies page.

What kinds of sustainability efforts are being implemented on the campus? Do you have an Office/Department dedicated to issues of sustainability? If yes, what is its role on the campus?
Mr. Joel Kroenke, Director of Facilities Operations at College of Menominee Nation, discusses the institution’s involvement in maintaining green initiatives and their commitment to sustainability on campus. The institution is also involved with the ACUPCC, implements sustainable aspects into the curriculum and the trades program on campus and also houses a Sustainability Institute which manages many aspects of the campus sustainability. [Menominee Interview_Sustainability1] and [Menominee Interview_Sustainability2]

What are the most pressing challenges while building green on your campus?
Mr. Joel Kroenke, Director of Facilities Operations at College of Menominee Nation, explains how funding for the new campus library has been affected by limited funds and mentions that incremental planning for capital improvement makes for a suited strategy for the institution. [Menominee_Challenges]

How was the need for campus green building evaluated?
Mr. Kroenke details the internal system employed by the institution to evaluate and assess project needs. The formation of an internal team of experts with the appropriate experience when opportunities arise facilitates planning, research and investigation prior to engaging into a project. Kroenke. [Menominee _Assess Opportunities]

What factors guided the institution to make financial investment in green building? Could you outline the financial strategy implemented during this project?
Eddie Hueston, Director of Facilities Management at Richland Community College, comments on the reason for investing in a green building rather than a traditional one. Mr. Hueston noted that the project which cost in the vicinity of $43 million was entirely funded by a bond issue. [RichlandInterview_LessonsFinancial1], [RichlandInterview_LessonsFinancial2] and [RichlandInterview_Lessons Financial3]

Are there any green building policies/protocols being practiced at the institution? How is the green building idea brought to the administration? Who took the lead on that? How is the institution planning to address future retrofit/new construction projects at the campus?
Arthur Frazier and Jay Enck discuss how Spelman handles green building practices on campus and facility management to increase efficiency. The campus instituted a strategic plan under which various sustainability initiatives will be directed. [Spelman Interview_GB Protocols]

How do you see this project inform the curricula, co-curricula and other educational experiences for students? What kinds of sustainability lessons did the staff and the students learn in relation to green building during the design, construction, implementation and occupancy stages? What types of behavioral changes and sustainability awareness have been engendered in the building users/facilities personals following the construction of this green building?
Arthur Frazier discusses the affect that the building construction had on students during and after the completion of the building. The facilities staff and students are constantly reminded of the need for sustainable living and operating practices. [Spelman Interview_LessonsEducation1] and [Spelman Interview_LessonsEducation2]

What would you recommend other institutions do if they want to build green - where should they begin?
Recommendations from Spelman team: [Spelman Interview_Recommandations] Throughout our discussion, Mr. Jay Enck and Mr. Jeff Brown, LEED Consultant with Green Building Solution (CxGBS) and Construction Manager with New South Construction, recommend that institutions plan and decide well in advance what green rating system will be used in constructing their building and amass the appropriate qualified team to make their project a success. Mr. James Strack with the Facility Design Group provide recommendations on using LEED in campus projects.  Deciding to make “The Suites” LEED certified after planning had begun was the major challenge on the Spelman project.