Renovations to make buildings more efficient
Beka Welborn
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: News
Some of the buildings at UNA will be getting much needed renovations in an effort to make them more energy and cost efficient.
According to UNA President Dr. William Cale, the buildings being renovated will use at least 15 percent less energy due to the improvements.
"Nothing but good comes out of this," said Cale, continuing to say that he has "nothing but good feelings" about the grant.
The university will recieve a grant for $950,000, with the option to renew each year, from the Department of Energy to make the improvements according to President Cale.
There will be two phases to the project. Phase one will be a major renovation of Keller Hall. This will include solar panels and a better heating and cooling system.
Phase two will consist of replacing the larger chillers and making window replacements
in three buildings, including Norton Auditorium, according to President Cale.
"They are in great need of renovation," he said.
He also explained that similar projects will be going on at other universities as well. Priscilla Holland, assistant vice president of academic services,
was put in the UNA application
for the grant money.
She explained that there is a national mandate to reduce energy use, which is why similar
projects are happening other places.
"We had to write a proposal for the Department of Energy," Holland said.
"Some of the cooling systems
are about 50 years old," she said, explaining that the average age of the buildings on this campus is 65.
"I'm really excited in various
ways because it means that the president and his staff are doing their job," she said.
Scotty Rainwater, 21 and a senior at UNA, was awarded the Contribution to Campus Life Award for his formulation
of the "Green Campaign" program, which relates to the renovation of Keller Hall.
"I think it's great. It's definitely
something the university
needs," Rainwater said. He explained that it saves a lot of money, which is always good.
According to UNA President Dr. William Cale, the buildings being renovated will use at least 15 percent less energy due to the improvements.
"Nothing but good comes out of this," said Cale, continuing to say that he has "nothing but good feelings" about the grant.
The university will recieve a grant for $950,000, with the option to renew each year, from the Department of Energy to make the improvements according to President Cale.
There will be two phases to the project. Phase one will be a major renovation of Keller Hall. This will include solar panels and a better heating and cooling system.
Phase two will consist of replacing the larger chillers and making window replacements
in three buildings, including Norton Auditorium, according to President Cale.
"They are in great need of renovation," he said.
He also explained that similar projects will be going on at other universities as well. Priscilla Holland, assistant vice president of academic services,
was put in the UNA application
for the grant money.
She explained that there is a national mandate to reduce energy use, which is why similar
projects are happening other places.
"We had to write a proposal for the Department of Energy," Holland said.
"Some of the cooling systems
are about 50 years old," she said, explaining that the average age of the buildings on this campus is 65.
"I'm really excited in various
ways because it means that the president and his staff are doing their job," she said.
Scotty Rainwater, 21 and a senior at UNA, was awarded the Contribution to Campus Life Award for his formulation
of the "Green Campaign" program, which relates to the renovation of Keller Hall.
"I think it's great. It's definitely
something the university
needs," Rainwater said. He explained that it saves a lot of money, which is always good.
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