Sustainable Buildings
Green, Resilient, & Efficient Infrastructure
Both the University and the State are making great strides in green building construction and renovation.
Through green buildings, the campus conserves energy, reduces the use of raw materials, and saves costs. Our campus community can be inspired and protected from indoor environmental issues when they live, work, and learn in efficient and sustainable buildings.
Opportunities
Programs to help you explore UMD's sustainable community
Green Terp or Green Office:
The entire UMD community has an impact on the energy, water and waste rates from any building we occupy. Join the Green Terp, Green Chapter, or Green Office programs to learn how you can make sustainable choices while using buildings on and off-campus. The programs offer certification, guidance, tools, resources, and training to help you conserve water, save energy, reduce waste, and more.
Design Criteria/Facilities Standards (DCFS):
Sustainability is an important part of university standards and design guidelines for new construction and building renovations- setting requirements on operations and maintenance, energy efficiency, and materials. To ensure the University’s building and infrastructure are designed in compliance with the University’s green building commitment and the High Performance Buildings Act, the standards address environmental stewardship and LEED design criteria.
TerpFootprints Dashboard
This interactive website is a work-in-progress data visualization of UMD’s campus by energy consumption and building performance. TerpFootprints is a collaborative effort between UMD’s academics, research, and operations- and everyone with a UMD email can access the dashboard.
Report Leaks & Drafts
Help conserve water and energy by submitting service requests through Facilities Management. Students that live on-campus can also submit service requests through this portal. If you see any building issues that need repair, report them to help reduce damage and waste!
Achievements
UMD Initiatives supporting sustainable buildings, infrastructure, and community on campus
UMD Facilities Management (FM) plays a defining role in the design and construction of campus buildings. With all projects, FM aims to meet the university’s goals for green buildings. From the start to the end of construction projects, FM monitors five key areas -- site sustainability, energy, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and materials -- to ensure environmental sustainability of new campus construction.
Building a Sustainable Future: Locally, UMD and partners in government and business are guiding urban planning with a deep commitment to “smart growth” practices that help our broader community design more sustainable buildings, streets, and neighborhoods. ‘“Smart growth” covers a range of development and conservation strategies that help protect our health and natural environment and make our communities more attractive, economically stronger, and more socially diverse” (US EPA).
Carbon Neutral New Development: All new development at UMD is carbon neutral since the President's Energy Initiatives were announced in 2014. New buildings, major renovations, and space use changes at UMD all must incorporate strong energy conservation measures and offset any carbon emissions. The Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering is the first major new construction project that is fully carbon neutral throughout its operational lifetime.
High Performance Building: The University of Maryland has set a goal that all new construction and major renovations will be high-performance buildings. The High Performance Building Program is a Maryland state law requiring buildings, constructed or renovated solely with State funds to be “high performance” buildings. This program requires new buildings and major renovations to be certified LEED Silver or be built to the 2012 International Green Construction Code as amended by the Maryland Green Building Council. UMD building projects must achieve 15% better energy efficiency than the current energy code.
Campus Green Buildings:
Related Academic and Research Programs:
Sustainable Community Development & Green Infrastructure Stories:
Vision for Campus Facilities Finds Inspiration in UMD History
Campus Facilities Plan proposes new facilities, a Wellness Loop, walk/bike/scooter corridors, and more.
PALS Connects Students to Local Sustainability Issues
PALS (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability) Projects Focus On Community Impact For the Fall 2023 Semester
Made in Maryland, Sold in Greater College Park
Store Featuring Local Maryland Artisans Opens in College Park's City Hall
The Latest on Greater College Park
City, County, University Leaders Gather to Talk Economic Development, Quantum Ecosystem, Purple Line
UMD Acquires Land, Building in Discovery District
Space, Surrounding Area Will Foster Continued Growth of Academic, Research Missions
New Study Examines the Impact of Telecommuting on Communities
The Ripple Effects Caused by the "Working From Home" New Normal