Numerous studies have indeed shown that, under some circumstances, a building's air conditioning-related energy consumption can be reduced through the use of reflective roofing. These studies, along with some overly enthusiastic marketing efforts, ha
During the last 10 years, the modern high-performance schools movement has invited design elements focusing on energy conservation and occupant comfort. Multi-level lighting systems have allowed teachers to switch lights on only when needed, day lighting
In security, risk minimization is everything. You can never completely eliminate the possibility of a school shooting or other types of breakdowns in security, but you can make the system as secure as possible by using your resources efficiently and using
The pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainability is a major focus in the U.S. today, influencing our choice of everything from automobiles to windows to the foods we eat. The higher education community is immersed in this drive toward environmental res
What can be learned from a school building that earned the first sustainability award of its kind from the U.S. Green Building Council? School administrators are increasingly aware that sustainable buildings can reduce an institution's water and ener
Through the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) network, more than 675 institutions have come together to provide leadership-by-example for other sectors by pledging to take immediate actions, create longer-term
Recently I was asked how many fires really occur in kindergarten through high school occupancies. The context of the question was in relation to how much time should be spent on fire and life safety issues in schools given all the other responsibilities o
Aware students are secure students. Is your campus doing enough to encourage and empower student safety groups? And can there be too much of a good thing?
Fire safety programs have seen dramatic changes during the last year because of budgets. Fewer people, the same amount of work, and in most cases, more work, were comments heard from attendees from all geographic regions. All were optimistic that they wou
When it comes to designing and building a green school, relationships are critical to delivering a 21st century facility, which is valued by the entire community. River Crest Elementary in Hudson, Wis., is a prime example of the power of solid collaborati
There's a quiet revolution occurring within information technology departments on some college campuses. They are taking notice of the energy used to power desktops and data centers and they are starting to make adjustments to shift the burden.
While green movement is gaining steam in the education sector, even simple changes can make a difference.
Stetson University has developed a new learning and teaching environment in the form of an organic garden that has taken root on the grounds of the University's Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Environmental Learning Center (RELC), located adjacent to th
For those of you who are doubters green is here to stay! Not only is the movement gaining steam on campuses across the country, it's also gaining steam in American homes as well.
As interest in green building grows, hardwoods have also become desirable for their ability to contribute to sustainable design. Wood products are a natural and renewable material that can store more atmospheric carbon throughout their useful lives than i
Distance learning, while still in its infancy, has been receiving a lot of press at both the university and adult education level. In some instances, distance education programs can reduce the overall cost of traditional education over a five-year period
Effective resolution of major crisis events is greatly facilitated if all of a school or school district's personnel know what to do in an emergency. One of the best ways for all personnel to know what to do in a crisis is to have an emergency operat
As with safety efforts in many other settings, higher-education safety officials must compete with the busy schedules of students and staff in order to find time to provide training, practice, and to disseminate information. Few higher-education organizat
Not many years ago, an epidemic of mold rampaged through K-12 school buildings across the country, rocketing mold prevention to the top of the priority list for the design of school building envelopes. Today, however, mold concerns have receded, and the p
Security is like an exercise program, where each and every exercise addresses a different weakness while improving overall strength daily. Implementing a good access control solution does not necessarily mean spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a