妻友社区 Lion鈥檚 Den student housing has been awarded the
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification according
to a notice by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Dr. Paul B. Beran, 妻友社区 chancellor, said the two-year certification process is a significant testimony to the University鈥檚 commitment to its community and its students.
鈥淭his is clear evidence that the University is determined to be an advocate for the environment and for the comfort and finances of its students,鈥� Beran said. 鈥淟EED Certification of its student housing shows how committed it is to that policy.
Mark Horn of Fort Smith, 妻友社区 vice chancellor for university relations, was instrumental in moving 妻友社区 toward the certification.
鈥淭his globally-recognized LEED green building certification system is third-party verification of our policy,鈥� Horn said. 鈥淚t verifies our pursuit of energy efficiency advantages, use of re-cycled materials, indoor air quality, regionally-sourced materials and drought-resistant landscaping,鈥�
The Lion鈥檚 Den, which is located at the corner of Waldron Rd. and Kinkead Ave., has 446 beds and was opened in August 2010. It was designed by Allison Architecture of Fayetteville. Flintco Inc. was the contractor for the project, with Sodexo Inc., the university鈥檚 food services manager, running the dining hall.
鈥淲e live in a world of finite resources and we need to be good stewards of the resources we have,鈥� Horn said. 鈥淲hether you go for LEED certification or not, this is the responsible way to build.鈥�
Horn said even though there is a cost associated with the process of green construction, when life-cycle economies of a building are considered, the paybacks in the efficiencies usually offset the cost.
Dr. Lee Krehbiel, vice chancellor for student affairs, said this building takes the concept of 鈥渟tewardship鈥� out of the classroom and into everyday life.
鈥淲e have some pretty sophisticated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in these buildings,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd that makes for a very enjoyable place to live.鈥�
鈥淭his says were good from all three standpoints of comfort, stewardship and financial considerations,鈥� he said.
Beth Eppinger, director of student housing and residential life, said the LEED certification is another attractive facet of the university.
鈥淪tudents really enjoy living in the Lion鈥檚 Den for several reasons including the bright and spacious lounges and the efficient bathroom fixtures. Having student housing that鈥檚 acknowledged as 鈥榓ward-winning green鈥� in its construction and operation is just another way students can feel 妻友社区 is a great place to learn, lead and live,鈥� Eppinger said.