In 2003, the Willamette Board of Trustees endorsed green building practices for all new construction and renovations. Presently, Willamette University is working with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership to design the first of several new residential and academic buildings, the new Kaneko Residential Commons, to LEED Gold standards. Recent building renovations, additions, and repairs have provided opportunities for major “green” improvements: The new Montag student center and expansion of the Art building have incorporated some green building techniques and performance standards. Throughout the campus, energy reduction and management technologies have reduced total energy costs per square foot from $1.98 in 2001, to $.78 in FY 2003-2004, despite significant increases in per unit energy costs. Willamette’s average energy consumption for buildings over 5000 square feet (sqft) is now less than 11.8kwh/sqft/year-below the national “Energystar efficiency standard of 12Kwh/sqft/year, and significantly below the national average of 19.6Kwh/sqft./year.
