Facilities Management

Georgia Tech Earns STARS Silver Rating for Its Campuswide Contributions to Sustainability

admin — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 17:51:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Earns STARS Silver Rating for Its Campuswide Contributions to Sustainability admin Fri, 01/24/2025 - 12:51

Georgia Tech recently achieved a STARS silver rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS stands for Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System and is awarded based upon measured success in five key areas of sustainability in higher education – Academics, Engagement, Operations, Planning and Administration, and Innovation and Leadership. The rating system helps benchmark achievements and identify opportunities where faculty, administrators, staff, and students can be effective change agents.

“The STARS report represents the cumulative work of sustainability performance and leadership across Georgia Tech’s academics, research, engagement, and business operations,” said Anne Rogers, project lead and associate director of Campus Sustainability. “Our silver rating is an important milestone as we continue to demonstrate strategic leadership in sustainability and alignment with the Institute’s strategic plan.”

Sustainability is a common theme throughout the strategic plan, which demonstrates a shared commitment to being thoughtful stewards of our resources – social, environmental, and economic. It is one of many ways Georgia Tech will lead by example in how we deliver on our educational and research mission. STARS will help inform and guide decisions on where to invest resources to achieve our sustainability goals.

Georgia Tech’s recent silver rating is the result of a 22-month effort, led by the Office of Campus Sustainability in partnership with Serve-Learn-Sustain, Facilities Analytics and Communications, and Institute Research Planning, to compile more than 1,300 unique information or data inputs about our sustainability-related actions. More than 150 people were engaged across 100 departments, demonstrating how sustainability is truly interwoven throughout Georgia Tech's operations, research, and educational functions.

Summary of results from the STARS report:

Academics

The Academics category includes both curriculum and research offerings. Georgia Tech scored with 89% of academic departments offering courses in sustainability and 73% of departments conducting research related to sustainability.

Engagement

Engagement includes both campus and public outreach. Georgia Tech has a robust student programming portfolio of sustainability groups and numerous activities centered around gardening, farming, urban agriculture, and wilderness programs. These exist alongside opportunities for students to learn life skills through sustainable employment practices, workshops, conferences, speaker series, and cultural arts events. Staff professional development and training also contributes, with such efforts as the Sustainable Facilities Forum produced each year by Facilities employees. The forum highlights innovative projects and practices Georgia Tech uses to maintain its built environment.

Operations

Measuring sustainability within Operations involves energy usage, food and dining, procurement, commuting modes, fleet, waste, and water. Data in these categories is easily trackable and used regularly by the Institute to make operational decisions. Report data includes the following:

12% reduction in total source energy consumption per unit of floor area from a baseline from fiscal year 2010.

41.44% of total annual food and beverage expenditures are on plant-based foods.
62.43% of expenditures are on cleaning and janitorial products that are third-party certified.
29.75% of materials are diverted from the landfill by recycling, composting, donating, or reselling.
25% of campus fleet vehicles are electric.

Planning and Administration

Sustainability within Planning and Administration includes the categories of access/affordability, investment/finance, and work/well-being. Georgia Tech’s graduation rate for low-income students is 84%. Work/Well-being ratings range from employees receiving a living wage to educational resources related to healthy eating, stress relief, and mental health.

Innovation and Leadership

The Innovation and Leadership categories in which Georgia Tech scores high include sustainability standards such as:

Bicycle-friendly campus status.
Availability of a campus food bank.
Green cleaning practices.
Grounds certification.

“The Institute’s strategic plan clearly outlines that Georgia Tech be a leader in sustainability. STARS is one framework to measure and track continuous improvement, and to motivate us to achieve more,” Rogers added.

The STARS silver rating will help define the future actions and resources needed to achieve even higher ratings in the years to come. The goal is to revisit this rating system every two years. To read the full report, click here.

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech recently achieved a STARS silver rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

Summary

Georgia Tech recently achieved a STARS silver rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

Dateline

Fri, 07/02/2021 - 12:00

Contact

Anne Rogers
Associate Director
Campus Sustainability

Keywords

stars

campus sustainability

silver rating

strategic plan

Facilities Management

News room topics

Campus and Community

Earth and Environment

Mercury ID

648523

Source updated

Fri, 01/24/2025 - 12:50

Chilled Water Outage Affects Campus

admin — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:53:41 +0000

Chilled Water Outage Affects Campus admin Mon, 07/29/2024 - 10:53

Early Friday morning, the campus chilled water distribution system, responsible for air conditioning campus buildings, experienced a significant service disruption. Teams from both Emergency Management and Infrastructure and Sustainability worked quickly to alert the campus community and identify the locations of the disruptions.

To allow for repairs, the team initiated a partial shutdown of the campus cooling system, which affected more than 40 buildings on campus. (See the attached map with affected buildings indicated in red.) Building managers, faculty, and researchers collaborated on mitigation strategies with more than 50 spot coolers deployed throughout campus.

Repair work is ongoing, and many campus buildings remain without air conditioning. As a result, changes to final exam schedules and locations, research mitigation strategies, and altered campus operations are expected to continue.

Crosland Tower and the Price Gilbert Library are affected but remain open, however students are encouraged to relocate to the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons where temperatures are more comfortable. The John Lewis Student Center, Stamps Commons, Stamps Health Services, and the Ferst Center for the Arts are closed until further notice.

The campus chilled water system will remain unstable until the primary leak, which has been isolated, has been completely repaired. The repair will allow the two campus chiller water plants to be reconnected to restore full service to campus. In the interim, a series of bypasses and temporary connections have been installed to minimize the effects on campus.

This is the first time these chiller plants have operated in this mode and additional disruptions are expected. All requests for assistance, including spot coolers, should be routed through your building manager.

For current information about the status of the chilled water outage, including changes to campus operations, visit this webpage.

Summary sentence

The campus chilled water distribution system recently experienced two service disruptions.

Summary

The campus chilled water distribution system recently experienced two service disruptions.

Dateline

Mon, 07/29/2024 - 12:00

cathy.brim@gatech.edu

Contact

Catherine Brim

Communications Officer II

Institute Communications/Infrastructure and Sustainability

Associated importer

Keywords

I&S News

Facilities Management

Chilled Water Outage

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

675651

Source updated

Mon, 07/29/2024 - 10:51

Climate Action Plan Provides Road Map to Net-Zero Emissions

admin — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 20:37:41 +0000

Climate Action Plan Provides Road Map to Net-Zero Emissions admin Mon, 04/08/2024 - 16:37

Georgia Tech unveiled its first Climate Action Plan (CAP), an actionable road map for halving Institute emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It provides strategies for mitigation, adaptation, climate education, and research, while finding ethical, cost-effective solutions.

The CAP is a deliverable of Sustainability Next, Georgia Tech’s 10-year strategic sustainability plan, and it is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Institute’s strategic plan, and the Comprehensive Campus Plan.

“As one of the world’s leading research universities, Georgia Tech has the opportunity, and the obligation, to create and share solutions that can help curb climate change and mitigate its harmful impact on our planet and our lives,” said President Ángel Cabrera. “Our Climate Action Plan is bold and ambitious, aiming for 100% clean ground transportation by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2050. These goals are not easy, but they reflect the seriousness of the challenges before us.”   

The CAP was led by Georgia Tech’s Office of Sustainability, with engagement across the campus community. The CAP Advisory Task Force, comprising experts and Institute leadership, helped guide the effort. Nine working groups in key focus areas developed climate action strategies, and additional stakeholder outreach with students, staff, faculty, and the Atlanta community took place at workshops, events, town halls, and webinars.

The plan’s nine focus areas and guiding principles are:

Community, Ethics, and Accessibility: We seek to ensure that fair and just climate policies and strategies are in place at Georgia Tech and that they prioritize affordable climate change solutions that support our internal and external community.
Building Energy: We are committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Renewable Energy and Offsets: We prioritize clean energy technologies to eliminate emissions.
Mobility: We optimize campus mobility through a variety of transportation modes that are accessible, affordable, and low- to no-emissions, considering environmental and human health impacts when determining and implementing transit and land use actions.
Materials Management: We support a thriving circular economy that focuses on upstream systems for achieving zero waste, ensures sustainable procurement, and supports our local community.
Water Management: We adapt our water infrastructure to be resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Education: We prepare all students, regardless of discipline, to address climate-related challenges in their personal and professional lives.
Research: We expand support for faculty, staff, and students to advance innovative research and projects to address climate-related issues.
Carbon Sequestration: We leverage the natural and physical resources of our campus to sequester and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The plan has 30 strategies for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and advancing climate research and education. The most ambitious strategies include:

Transition to electrification of combustion-based heating systems.
Increase energy efficiency in building operations.
Increase on-site renewable energy production, and procure energy generated from renewable and zero-emissions sources.
Transition the campus vehicle fleet to zero-emissions vehicles and increase sustainable and affordable commuting options.
Implement blackwater reuse systems and increase water efficiency and conversation.
Become a Zero Waste campus.
Prioritize climate education across Georgia Tech’s curriculum.
Identify and shape future climate research opportunities in which Georgia Tech aspires to lead.

“Georgia Tech is committed to sustainability and the environmental stewardship of our campus community,” said Jennifer Chirico, associate vice president of Sustainability and chair of the CAP Advisory Task Force. “The CAP was developed in partnership with leadership and with our own experts from within Georgia Tech. As we move toward implementation, it will require a whole-community approach, and we will continue to work together to reach our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”

To read or download the full plan, visit the Office of Sustainability’s webpage here. If you are interested in participating in an implementation committee, please fill out the form on the CAP website.

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech’s Climate Action Plan outlines mitigation and adaptation strategies for reaching net-zero emissions on campus by 2050 and contributing to global solutions through education and research.

Summary

The last nine months had the hottest global temperatures on record. Georgia Tech’s Climate Action Plan outlines mitigation and adaptation strategies for reaching net-zero emissions on campus by 2050 and contributing to global solutions through education and research.

Dateline

Fri, 04/05/2024 - 12:00

Abby.bower@sustain.gatech.edu

Contact

Abby Bower

Program and Portfolio Manager

Office of Sustainability

Infrastructure and Sustainability

Keywords

Facilities Management

office of sustainability

Georgia Tech Climate Action Plan

cos-climate

cos-community

News room topics

Earth and Environment

Categories

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

674033

Source updated

Mon, 04/08/2024 - 16:36

Earth Month Features Sustainability Events

admin — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:18:41 +0000

Earth Month Features Sustainability Events admin Thu, 04/04/2024 - 15:18

April is Earth Month at Georgia Tech. Coordinated by the Office of Sustainability and hosted by partners across campus, it extends the Institute’s observance of Earth Day (April 22) by showcasing campus sustainability efforts and providing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to learn and take action.

This year’s Earth Month holds special significance, as Georgia Tech will soon publish its first Climate Action Plan, a road map for reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

“Earth Month presents us with a unique time to honor and safeguard our environment together,” said Vanessa Suarez, sustainability coordinator in the Office of Sustainability. “It's an opportunity for all of us to be inspired and make a positive difference, both locally and globally; a reminder that collective changes yield significant impact.”

Events will be hosted by organizations and departments across campus during the month to learn, celebrate, and share best practices.

Featured Event: Earth Day Sustainable Org Fair and Celebration

Wednesday, April 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design

This signature event will feature sustainability-focused departments and student organizations, Earth Month BYO T-shirt screen printing and other textiles, and free King of Pops popsicles. Sign up here to table.

Earth Month Bird Walk – Lullwater (Emory)

Friday, April 5, 10:25 a.m. – 12:35 p.m., Lullwater Preserve, 1463 Clifton Road

Hosted by Georgia Tech Birdwatchers with support from the Office of Sustainability, attendees can observe and learn about birds with club experts at the scenic Lullwater Preserve near Emory’s campus. Binoculars provided.

For registration and additional information, click here.

Tech Beautification Day

Saturday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tech Green

Come get your hands dirty to make our campus green and beautiful at the 25th annual Tech Beautification Day, a volunteering event hosted by the Student Government Association and Infrastructure and Sustainability. The event is capped at 300 volunteers, so sign up today!

For registration and additional information, click here.

Global Media Festival Film Screening: ‘Bigger Than Us’ Documentary + Live Q&A

Sunday, April 7, 2:30 – 5 p.m., John Lewis Student Center, Cypress Theater

Bigger Than Us follows Melati Wijsen, an 18-year-old Indonesian activist fighting plastic pollution in her country as she expands her impact by collaborating with activists across the globe. The screening will be followed by a live virtual discussion with the film’s director, Flore Vasseur.

This event is part of the Global Media Festival, taking place March 29 – April 7 and exploring themes around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The festival is co-sponsored by the School of Modern Languages; the Atlanta Global Studies Center; the School of Literature, Media, and Communication; and the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems.

For registration and additional information, click here.

EcoCommons Tour

Wednesday, April 10, Noon – 1 p.m., The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design

The 80-acre EcoCommons is one of Georgia Tech’s most impressive sustainability features. Institute Landscape Architect Jason Gregory will lead attendees on a tour to learn about the native performance landscape adjacent to The Kendeda Building.

Carbon Reduction Challenge Info Session – Virtual

Thursday, April 11, 11 – 11:50 a.m., Online

The Carbon Reduction Challenge is a competition focused on empowering students to become part of the climate change solution. Join the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business for a virtual information session to learn more about participating in the challenge this summer.

For registration and more information, click here.

Climate FRESK Workshops

Thursday, April 11, Noon – 3:30 p.m., Kendeda Seminar Room 118
Monday, April 15, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Kendeda Seminar Room 118
Thursday, April 19, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., O’Keefe Building, third floor, Sunroom conference room*

Climate FRESK is an internationally recognized workshop based on scientific reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that teaches the fundamental causes and effects of climate change through a collaborative and engaging game. The Office of Sustainability will host three FRESK Workshops throughout April.

*The workshop on April 19 is co-sponsored by the Georgia Tech French Club and will be held partially in French.

For more information and registration, click here.

BBISS Seminar Series: Neha Kumar

Thursday, April 11, 3 – 4 p.m., Hybrid Event – Online and BBISS Offices, 760 Spring Street, Suite 160

Neha Kumar is an associate professor in the School of International Affairs and the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. She will present a new paper that describes opportunities for human–computer interaction to reimagine the design of sociotechnical systems toward advancing sustainable, just, and humane futures.

For more information and the event link, click here.

Atlanta Global Studies Symposium: Languages of Sustainability and the Global South

Friday, April 12, 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Main Auditorium, Technology Square Research Building

Hosted by the Atlanta Global Studies Center and with support from the Emory University Office of Global Strategy and Initiatives, the symposium will present initiatives that promote global education, language learning, sustainable development, and community engagement. Partners, faculty, students, community organizers, K-12 teachers, and the public are welcome.

For more information and registration, click here.

Frontiers in Science: Climate Action

Thursday, April 18, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., The Dalney Building

The College of Sciences will convene 100 campus and community stakeholders to discuss groundbreaking research on climate change, challenges, and solutions. More than 25 speakers and panelists from across Georgia Tech and Atlanta will share their work and ideas to address major climate and community challenges. Frontiers will also feature leadership keynotes, a student video showcase with scholarships, networking lunch and reception, and a Strategic Energy Institute interdisciplinary seed grant challenge for assistant professors.

Attendance is by invitation, and registration is limited.
To suggest participants, please contact: events@cos.gatech.edu.

Carbon Reduction Challenge Spring Showcase

Friday, April 19, 2 – 4 p.m., The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design

Eight teams composed of students enrolled in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 3111, “Energy, Environment, and Society,” will present their final semester-long Carbon Reduction Challenge projects. The projects show more than 9 million pounds of carbon dioxide reductions annually while generating yearly savings of over $500 million in energy bills and carbon sequestration. Attendees can enjoy snacks and drinks and vote for their favorite project.

For more information and registration, click here.

Sustain-X Hangout

Tuesday, April 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Hybrid/Scheller College of Business, Room 4426

A partnership between the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and CREATE-X, Sustain-X is a Sustainability Next and Georgia Tech strategic plan project. With events occurring on the fourth Tuesday of every month, this session will examine social and environmental entrepreneurship and how to access resources for projects.

For more information and to register, click here.

Interdisciplinary and Critical Approaches to Sustainability

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Atlanta Global Studies Center will present a conference entitled “Sustainability in a Planet of Diverse Knowledges and Persistent Inequalities.” The event features Georgia Tech faculty panels and keynotes from Nelson Maldonado-Torres and Jessica Hernandez on “Colonial and Decolonial Sustainabilities” and “Indigenous Science: From Local to Global Context,” respectively.

For more information and registration, click here.

BBISS Seminar Series – Fani Boukouvala

Thursday, April 25, 3 – 4 p.m., Hybrid/BBISS Offices, 760 Spring Street, Suite 160

Fani Boukouvala, assistant professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, will present a talk about a new approach for chemical conversion of waste plastics to their original raw materials, including a detailed process modeling of a chemical reactor validated by experimental data, and proceed with simulation of an entire pilot scale facility.

For the event link, click here.

Additional events, volunteer opportunities, and campaigns are posted on the Earth Month calendar. Submit your event to be featured via the Earth Month form.

Summary sentence

April is Earth Month with a full calendar of events open to the campus community.

Summary

April is Earth Month with a full calendar of events open to the campus community.

Dateline

Thu, 04/04/2024 - 12:00

Abby.bower@sustain.gatech.edu

Contact

Abby Bower

Sustainability Program Support Coordinator

Office of Sustainability | sustain.gatech.edu

Infrastructure and Sustainability

Associated importer

Keywords

Facilities Management

office of sustainability

Earth Day

Earth Day 2024

Earth Month 2024

cos-community

cos-climate

News room topics

Earth and Environment

Categories

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

674007

Source updated

Thu, 04/04/2024 - 15:18

GTPD Accepting Applications for Spring Citizens Police Academy

admin — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 22:01:41 +0000

GTPD Accepting Applications for Spring Citizens Police Academy admin Wed, 03/13/2024 - 18:01

Registration is now open for the spring semester session of the Georgia Tech Police Department’s (GTPD) Citizens Police Academy.

A five-week program designed to educate and inform Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff about how GTPD operates and the issues they face, the Citizens Police Academy enrolls 20 attendees each session on a first-come, first-served basis.

“This was a unique experience for my cohort and gave us exposure to the inside of policing,” said Tammie Pierce, emergency management coordinator. “I really enjoyed learning about each division within GTPD and how it functions – especially the hands-on training from the forensics session. I feel more connected to our campus officers now that I know about the work they do on a daily basis to protect the community.”

Sessions provide overviews and firsthand experience in forensics and investigations, digital intelligence, 911 dispatching, firearm training, and more.

Thursday, March 28: Welcome and Introduction to GTPD
Tuesday, April 2: Patrol Division, Jeanne Clery Act
Thursday, April 4: Use of Force and Judgmental Simulator
Tuesday, April 9: Office of Emergency Management and 911 Communications
Thursday, April 11: Law Enforcement Technology and Digital Intelligence
Monday, April 15: Forensics and Investigations
Wednesday, April 17: Special Events and K9 Unit
Friday, April 19: Firearms Training (off-site)
Tuesday, April 23: Community Engagement
Thursday, April 25: Administration and Graduation

All classes (except where noted above) meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at GTPD headquarters on the corner of 10th Street and Hemphill Avenue NW.

Click here for more information about the program. To secure your spot, submit an application here.

Summary sentence

Registration is now open for the spring semester session of the Georgia Tech Police Department’s (GTPD) Citizens Police Academy.

Summary

Registration is now open for the spring semester session of the Georgia Tech Police Department’s (GTPD) Citizens Police Academy.

Dateline

Wed, 03/13/2024 - 12:00

Outreach@police.gatech.edu

Contact

Gena Snead
Communications Officer
Georgia Tech Police Department

Keywords

GTPD

community building

citizens police academy

construction notices construction facilities management

Facilities-Notices

Facilities Management

News room topics

Campus and Community

Mercury ID

673517

Source updated

Wed, 03/13/2024 - 18:00

Construction Work Begins Dec. 18 for Initial Phase of Campus Connectivity Plan

admin — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 20:27:41 +0000

Construction Work Begins Dec. 18 for Initial Phase of Campus Connectivity Plan admin Thu, 12/14/2023 - 15:27

Beginning Monday, Dec. 18, work will commence on the installation of a new water line, electrical system upgrades, and the construction of two new pedestrian and vehicular crossings at the following locations:

Tech Parkway to the John Lewis Student Center at State Street.
Tech Parkway to the John Lewis Student Center loading dock.

Access to Tech Parkway from North Avenue (past Cherry Street) will be unavailable. Traffic will be directed further down North Avenue and access to Tech Parkway will be available at State Street. See the detour plan here.

In this section of campus, Ferst Drive is currently a low- traffic interior road that parallels Tech Parkway, creating a redundant route. Future campus plans anticipate the removal of this redundancy, allowing for development or additional green space depending upon campus programmatic needs.

This phase of construction work will necessitate the removal of approximately 25 trees. In accordance with the Campus Landscape Master Plan and the Tree Care Replacement policy, trees will be planted elsewhere on campus, or funds equivalent will be added to the campus tree bank. Locations for replacement trees will be identified and the trees planted in the appropriate season.

This is the first of several phases of the Campus Connectivity Plan, and it is expected to last until March 2024, as the campus begins to increase connectivity south and west of campus as outlined in the recently released Comprehensive Campus Plan. Developments such as Science Square and Arts Square will require multimodal and pedestrian connectivity to the core of campus, and these connections will be implemented incrementally.

Subsequent phases of construction will move west along Ferst Drive with updates provided as they become available.

Summary sentence

Construction mobilizes on the construction of connections from Tech Parkway to the John Lewis Student Center area.

Summary

The first of a multi-phase construction project creating connections from Tech Parkway to the John Lewis Student Center area along Ferst Drive begins Monday, Dec. 18.

Dateline

Thu, 12/14/2023 - 12:00

jerry.young@facilities.gatech.edu

Contact

Jerry Young

Landscape Project Manager

Planning, Design, and Construction

Infrastructure and Sustainability

404-585-3449

Associated importer

Keywords

Facilities Management

Campus Construction

Ferst Drive Connectivity Plan

News room topics

Campus and Community

Mercury ID

671569

Source updated

Thu, 12/14/2023 - 15:25

Ground Blasting Work to Begin for Tech Square Phase 3

admin — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:47:41 +0000

Ground Blasting Work to Begin for Tech Square Phase 3 admin Mon, 10/23/2023 - 11:47

The Tech Square Phase 3 construction project will require ground blasting to remove granite rock to prepare for the building's foundation. The blasting will begin the week of October 23 and possibly continue for two to four weeks. Blasting is expected to take place on weekdays at approximately 2:15 p.m. during the proposed period.

Blasting notification for the surrounding area will occur as follows. (Times are approximate.)

At 2:10 p.m., five long horns will sound.
At 2:14 p.m., three horns will sound and then an all-clear horn.
In the event that detonation is unsuccessful, the contractor will either attempt the detonation again, before 3:30 p.m., or postpone the blast until the next day.

Due to ground conditions, the horn notification is expected to be more disruptive than the blasting itself. Vibrations will be noticeable in the surrounding areas, and a series of seismographs have been installed in the surrounding buildings to monitor vibrations.

The Biltmore Place roadway will be closed when blasts are planned for the north end of the construction site. Spring Street, West Peachtree Street, and Fifth Street will remain open to vehicular traffic. Depending upon the blast location within the construction site, pedestrian traffic directly along the fence may be closed in the 10 minutes leading up to the ground blast.

Ground blasting will occur as needed and may not happen every day. When blasting is planned, Georgia Tech will notify building and facility managers in the vicinity via email within 24 hours of each blast.

To be added to the blast notification communication list, contact Lindsey Cottingham, senior project manager for Planning, Design, and Construction, at lindsey.cottingham@facilities.gatech.edu.

Summary sentence

Foundation work for the construction project requires blasting for rock removal.

Summary

Beginning the week of October 23, and continuing for the next two to four weeks, foundation work for the Tech Square Phase 3 project will require blasting to remove granite rock. Occupants in nearby buildings should anticipate disturbances.

Dateline

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

Lindsey.cottingham@facilities.gatech.edu

Contact

Lindsey Cottingham

Senior Project Manager

Planning, Design, and Construction

Infrastructure and Sustainability

Keywords

Tech Square Phase 3

Campus Construction

foundation construction

blasting

Facilities-Notices

Facilities Management

Categories

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

670496

Source updated

Mon, 10/23/2023 - 11:46

Upcoming Building Closures for Planned Electrical Work

admin — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:48:38 +0000

Upcoming Building Closures for Planned Electrical Work admin Thu, 10/05/2023 - 12:48

Improvements to campus electrical infrastructure will require planned power outages scheduled during fall break on Sunday, Oct. 8, and Monday, Oct. 9. The buildings listed below will be without power from 7 a.m to 5 p.m. and will be closed. All buildings will return to normal operation once power has been restored.

Oct. 8 outage will affect the Exhibition Hall, the Café (formerly Rising Roll), and the Pavilion.
Oct. 9 outage will affect Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.

All faculty and staff with offices in Clough Commons are asked to make alternative arrangements for Monday, Oct. 9. The Technology Support Walkup location in Clough Commons will also be closed during this time. For assistance, please call 404.385.1111 or visit asc.gatech.edu.

Summary sentence

Improvements to the electrical system in these areas will require planned power outages.

Summary

The outages will occur Sunday, Oct. 8 and Monday, Oct. 9 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

Dateline

Tue, 09/26/2023 - 12:00

mshelton35@gatech.edu

Contact

Mitchell Shelton
Construction Project Manager
Planning, Design, and Construction
Infrastructure and Sustainability
470.351.7746

Associated importer

Keywords

Facilities Management

Clough Commons

Campus Center Exhibition Hall

campus center cafe

Campus Center Pavilion

planned power outage

electrical work on campus

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

669959

Source updated

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 12:47

October Events Celebrate Campus Sustainability Month

admin — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:45:38 +0000

October Events Celebrate Campus Sustainability Month admin Thu, 09/28/2023 - 20:45

October is Campus Sustainability Month, an international celebration of sustainability on college and university campuses. Georgia Tech will host sustainability-focused events all month. With the recent release of the Institute’s Sustainability Next plan, these campus opportunities underscore our commitment to the objectives outlined in the plan. There are numerous options centered on climate and social sustainability topics in addition to trips to explore nature around Atlanta. The programming is hosted by diverse campus groups and offers a glimpse into the wide-ranging commitment to sustainability at Tech.

Event Lineup

Climate Action Plan Student Engagement Workshop
Monday, Oct. 2
5 – 6 p.m.
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, Room 210

As a deliverable of the Sustainability Next Plan, the Georgia Tech Climate Action Plan is a roadmap for integrating climate action strategies across operations, research, and education focusing on climate justice and reducing emissions. Students are invited to join the Office of Sustainability for an interactive, in-person event to learn about the climate action strategies in the plan, share input, and enjoy free pizza.

For registration and additional information, click here. RSVP required.

Climate Action Plan Campus Town Hall (Virtual)
Wednesday, Oct. 4
11 a.m. – noon
Virtual via Zoom (RSVP Required)

The entire Georgia Tech community can learn more about the Georgia Tech Climate Action Plan and share input during a virtual campus town hall hosted by the Office of Sustainability.

For registration and additional information, click here.

Approaching the Limits of Climate Viability: Urban Heat Vulnerability in Atlanta and How to Adapt
Wednesday, Oct. 4
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Scholar’s Event Theater, First Floor, Price Gilbert Library

As part of Georgia Tech Library’s initiative to highlight research that makes data accessible and meaningful to the public, Brian Stone Jr., a professor in the School of City and Regional Planning, will present a lecture on the urban heat island effect and its context for Atlanta.

Find more details and registration information here.

Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Seminar Series, Baabak Ashuri — Valuation of Investment in Sustainable Buildings and Renewable Energy Infrastructure
Thursday, Oct. 5
3 – 4 p.m.
Hybrid Event: BBISS Offices, 760 Spring St., Suite 118, and on Teams

Baabak Ashuri, a professor in the School of Building Construction and the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and a Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Fellow, will speak about how a new set of tools for the valuation and appraisal of renewable energy projects can enhance investment decision-making.

Liam's Legacy Symposium 2023: Humanitarian Engineering with Juan Lucena
Thursday, Oct. 5
4 – 6 p.m.
Coda Building, Ninth Floor Atrium

Juan Lucena, director of the Humanitarian Engineering Undergraduate Program and professor of engineering, design, and society at the Colorado School of Mines will visit Georgia Tech for the annual Liam’s Legacy Symposium. Lucena will explore the relationship between engineers, engineering, and the well-being of communities, social justice, and sustainability.

This event is presented by the Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education in partnership with the School of History and Sociology, through a grant from the Gertrude and William C. Wardlaw Fund in support of the Conference on Human Rights, Changes, and Challenges.

Sustainable Careers and Shared Value Panel
Thursday, Oct. 12
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Scheller College of Business, Room 221

Join the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business to hear from three panelists at various stages in their careers and diverse types of corporations about how sustainability is incorporated and how it has shaped their roles.

More information and registration here.

Lullwater Preserve (Emory) Bird Walk
Friday, Oct. 13
7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Meet at Cherry Emerson

Ride the GT/Emory bus with Birdwatchers @ GT to Lullwater Preserve, a beautiful, forested park on Emory’s Druid Hills campus. Open to beginner and expert birders alike — make sure to RSVP if you need binoculars.

For more information and registration, click here.

Campus Energy Challenge
Oct. 16 – 22
Residence Halls Across Campus

Housing and Residence Life’s annual Energy Competition takes place the week of Oct. 16. The competition will give all campus residents a chance to see the daily energy use of their residence halls, along with tips on how to reduce their individual use. The residence hall that reduces its use the most will win a prize.

Contact Malte Weiland, senior sustainability project manager, Auxiliary Services, for more information.

A Conversation With Victor Luckerson, Author of ‘Built From the Fire’
Tuesday, Oct. 17
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Scheller College of Business, Room 100

A panel discussion with Victor Luckerson, author of Built From the Fire, moderated by Todd Michney, associate professor in the School of History and Sociology. The book follows a multigenerational saga of a family and a community in Tulsa’s Greenwood district, known as “Black Wall Street,” that in one century survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, urban renewal, and gentrification.

Staff Council Drive-Thru Recycling Event
Wednesday, Oct. 18
2 – 4 p.m.
O’Keefe Building Parking Lot, 151 Sixth St. NW

The Georgia Tech Staff Council and CPEC subcommittee are hosting a recycling collection event for faculty and staff. Drop off items such as plastic bottles, mixed paper, household batteries, electronics, and glass.

Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Seminar Series – Dylan Brewer: Who Heeds the Call in an Energy Emergency? Evidence from Smart Thermostat Data
Thursday, Oct. 19
3 – 4 p.m.
Hybrid Event: BBISS Offices, 760 Spring St., Suite 118, and on Teams

Dylan Brewer, an assistant professor in the School of Economics and BBISS Fellow, will present research exploring the relationship between compliance with calls to conserve energy during a shortage situation and in an environment of political polarization.

Climate and Innovation Business Forum
Friday, Oct. 20
1 – 5:30 p.m.
Global Learning Center

The Climate and Innovation Business Forum will convene stakeholders from various sectors to explore strategies for driving innovative climate solutions. Attendees are invited to participate in discussions on harnessing the potential of climate technology, forging innovative collaborations, and mobilizing capital for environmental and social impact.

Administration and Finance Virtual Town Hall
Friday, Oct. 20
2 – 3 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom gatech.zoom.us/j/95142941085

Celebrate Sustainability Month at the A&F virtual town hall and learn about activities designed to promote sustainability across the Institute. We will share highlights from the recently published Sustainability Next plan, developing strategies from the Climate Action Plan, and how Georgia Tech is harnessing the power of data throughout our utility management efforts to foster a living campus for all.

Georgia Tech Undergraduate Sustainability Education Panel
Tuesday, Oct. 24
11 a.m. – noon
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, Room 210

Learn more about sustainability-focused campus educational opportunities at this panel discussion and hear from affiliated faculty, staff, and students. Snacks will be provided.

Surviving the “Zombie Apocalypse” at Kendeda 2023
Friday, Oct. 27
4 – 7:30 p.m.
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design

The Kendeda Building is an example of resilient infrastructure, with its potable water storage, solar power system, composting toilets, and ability to grow food on its rooftop garden. This Office of Sustainability event will focus on the lessons that The Kendeda Building has taught us about sustainability, regenerative design, and the benefits of being more self-sufficient. Join us for a spooky Kendeda Building tour, snacks, and lessons in sewing and food pickling.

Get tickets here.

Extension of Community: What It Means to Be Sustainable in a Digital World
Throughout October

Locations include The Kendeda Building, the Library, and the Georgia Tech Media Bridge

Experience an interactive art exhibit at the intersection of science and technology addressing sustainability and the climate crisis.

How have our technological and digital developments helped and harmed us?
How can we be more digitally sustainable?
What are the limits of technology and how can we shift our behaviors to help heal the planet?

Fourteen artists and scientists reflect on community and sustainability within their practice and question the impact of technology on the environment and society. The exhibit, curated by Birney Robert, addresses themes of plastics and waste, social and environmental justice, and imagined futures.

For more information, click here.

Explore the Campus Sustainability Month 2023 Calendar for a comprehensive list of events and updates. Campus groups, departments, and organizations interested in adding their sustainability-focused event to the calendar can email sustain.gatech.edu.

Summary sentence

Events throughout the month of October offer a glimpse into the wide-ranging commitment to sustainability at Georgia Tech.

Summary

October is Campus Sustainability Month, an international celebration of sustainability on college and university campuses. Georgia Tech has a vast line-up of events open to the entire campus community.

Dateline

Thu, 09/28/2023 - 12:00

abby.bower@sustain.gatech.edu

Contact

Abby Bower
Program Support Coordinator
Office of Sustainability

Keywords

go-bbiss

Campus Sustainability Month

sustainability

Facilities Management

office of sustainability

Sustainability Next Plan

Georgia Tech Climate Action Plan

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

670025

Source updated

Thu, 09/28/2023 - 20:44

The Latest in Campus Construction

admin — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 17:56:31 +0000

The Latest in Campus Construction admin Wed, 08/30/2023 - 13:56

The progress of campus construction projects keeps a steady pace year-round. Whether it is site preparations, interior renovations, infrastructure improvements, or large, philanthropy-driven facilities projects, the Georgia Tech built environment continuously evolves to support the needs of a growing and vibrant campus community.

As these construction projects move forward, the planning arm of the Planning, Design, and Construction department has been working for the past year with a cadre of consultants to plan for the future of the Georgia Tech campus and is close to finalizing a Comprehensive Campus Plan (CCP). This living document will inform how campus space can be utilized to support the growing and changing campus community for the next 10 years and beyond.

“We are excited for the upcoming reveal of the Campus Comprehensive Plan,” said Vice President of Infrastructure and Sustainability Maria Cimilluca. “Our team has worked collaboratively to create a thorough framework for future development. The Campus Comprehensive Plan is in its final stages, and we look forward to sharing it with the campus community in September.” Visit the CCP website to learn more.

Below is an update on some of the current construction projects on campus.

Soon to Wrap Up

National Pan-Hellenic Council – Divine Nine Plaza

The Divine Nine are the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Construction is underway for a plaza area with nine distinct circular gathering spaces with seating, landscaping, and permeable pavers. Located adjacent to the John Lewis Student Center parking deck, the plaza will include an 820-square-foot amphitheater. Barring weather delays, the site should be available to enjoy in October. View the construction webcam here.

Georgia Tech Veterans Walk of Honor

This tribute project, located outside the Veterans Resource Center, will honor all Georgia Tech alumni, students, and staff who have served in the United States armed forces. The walkway leading to the Veterans Resource Center will feature granite inlays and mounted wall plaques recognizing the six branches of the military. Each inlay will include a portion of Morse code representing the individual branch’s slogan or motto. Adjacent elevated signage will display the core values of military service: honor, courage, commitment, respect, duty, valor, service, and integrity. An upper plaza reflection area includes an American flag overlooking Griffin Track and McCamish Pavilion, with the city skyline in the distance. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2023.

Library Interactive Media Zone

Located on the Grove Level of the Price Gilbert Memorial Library, this project features a 40-foot curved landscape screen and 10 interactive tablet stations allowing users to view three modes of content: digital exhibit, pop-up lecture, and hero mode. The digital exhibit will feature pre-planned animations and live data. The pop-up lecture will allow faculty and visiting experts to hold short-form, impromptu lessons, and the hero mode will facilitate digital signage about activities and events on campus. The project is currently under construction, with completion slated for late September or early October. Read more here.

In Progress

D.M. Smith Building Renewal

Renovations will include several upgrades to the building’s infrastructure, including strengthening compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act by creating a permanent wheelchair access feature and adding an elevator. New mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will increase comfort, as well as the building’s energy efficiency. A virtual lab and hoteling space will be created for members of the School of Public Policy. All proposed changes will respect the historical character of the building, and renovations will be completed by mid-2025.

East Campus Streetscape

Renovation of sidewalks and roadways on the east side of campus is underway to improve pedestrian and micro-mobility (lightweight, single-person vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, and skateboards) access while supporting the Institute’s safety, connectivity, and carbon neutrality goals. The heavy volume of campus traffic in this area requires careful attention to safety and accessibility. Improvements to sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and lighting will align with paving, new curbing, and reconfigured access to the parking deck for alternative-mode routes. All updates will cohesively coordinate with the campus bus systems. A phased construction approach is planned, with phase one underway on Fourth Street, Brittain Drive, and areas adjacent to Peters Parking Deck. Phases two and three will address Techwood Drive in 2024.

Progressive Workplace Pilots

Progressive Workplaces are defined by Georgia Tech as solutions to align space with the working styles of specific campus offices or departments resulting in a carefully curated combination of individual and group work, meeting, and collaboration spaces. The intent of these flexible and progressive designed environments is to foster engagement, innovation and improve space utilization and satisfaction. Currently, multiple pilot projects are under construction across campus.

One pilot includes the offices of the General Counsel and Internal Auditing, two distinct departments, each with about 90 employees. Their space in the 760 Spring St. building in Tech Square was recently renovated from a traditional configuration of assigned, enclosed, individual offices accommodating about 42 employees. The renovated space now offers a flexible, progressive workspace that accommodates 90 employees within the same amount of square footage as their original space.

Using the latest in scheduling technology, the workplace pilots offer reservable space in either private offices or open desk areas with the flexible amenities of both open and enclosed collaboration and meeting spaces. Each space houses a multipurpose hub, allowing for impromptu gatherings and encouraging employee interaction. These pilots will be measured through qualitative satisfaction surveys, and the collected data will inform future strategic space planning projects throughout the campus community.

Science Square

An 18-acre biomedical research and technology community is under construction just off North Avenue near Northside Drive. Phase one includes Science Square Labs, a 13-story lab and office tower that will feature clean rooms, labs, and research space, as well as affordable housing and ground-floor retail space. Phase one is scheduled to be completed by March 2024. BioSpark Labs, located in Science Square, has completed phase two construction of 10 private labs, one shared lab, cell culture and bacterial procedure rooms, and shared equipment areas. The labs are fully furnished and available for lease. This development will expand biotech and life science research and help revitalize and nurture new opportunities on Atlanta's west side. Learn more about Science Square and BioSpark Labs.

Tech Square Phase 3

Phase three of Tech Square will include about 415,000 square feet of academic and research space within two high-rise towers. The 14-story Scheller Tower will house the MBA and Executive Education programs for the Scheller College of Business and is named in recognition of the generous philanthropic commitment of Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr., IM 1952, HON Ph.D. 2013. The 18-story George Tower, named to recognize Penny and Bill George, IE 1964, HON Ph.D. 2008, for their integral support for the facility will be the new home for the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. A large plaza and retail space are planned for the street level. Site fencing will be installed soon, and construction is slated to begin in September. The projected occupancy date is early 2026. Read more here.

Coming Soon

Aerospace Engineering Aircraft Hangar

The Aircraft Hangar facility is in the North Avenue Research Area next to the Techway building complex. This project will primarily focus on creating a facility to design, assemble, and house small aircraft for research in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. The facility will be approximately 10,000 square feet and feature a high bay with a mezzanine level. Site work will begin in late fall, with an expected completion date of early 2025.

Ferst Drive Realignment and Cycle Track

This project will address the realignment of Ferst Drive at Regents Drive, which will allow the elimination of the traffic signal and enable connectivity to the planned bicycle infrastructure southwest of campus. A cycle track will be installed along Ferst Drive, providing improved safety and separation between bicycles and buses at the bus stops. This project is in the design phase, with completion slated for fall of 2024.

On the Horizon

Student-Athlete Performance Center

The 100,000-square-foot facility will be built in the footprint of the current Edge Center in the northeast corner of Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Center will house strength and conditioning space, nutrition areas, sports medicine offices, ticket sales, dining, and academic support space. It will also include state-of-the art sport science and analytics and provide balcony views of Midtown Atlanta. The project is in the design approval stage, with an estimated completion date of early 2026.

New Residence Hall

The first new residence hall on campus since 2005, this project is currently in the design phase. This new facility for first-year students will be on the west side of campus along Northside Drive between Eighth and Ninth streets. The 191,000-square-foot building will contain approximately 860 beds with rooms configured for double -occupancy with the flexibility for students to customize, or rearrange, the in-room furniture layout. Each bedroom will have individualized climate control. Student support areas will include collaborative learning spaces, community lounges, and group kitchens. Completion is slated for August 2026. Read more here.

Summary sentence

The progress of campus construction keeps a steady pace year-round. Below is a status update of campus projects.

Summary

Dateline

Mon, 08/28/2023 - 12:00

cathy.brim@gatech.edu

Contact

Catherine Brim
Communications Officer II
Institute Communications | Infrastructure and Sustainability

Associated importer

Keywords

Facilities Management

Campus Construction

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

669220

Source updated

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 13:53

Facilities Management

Georgia Tech Earns STARS Silver Rating for Its Campuswide Contributions to Sustainability

Summary of results from the STARS report:

Related links

Keywords

News room topics

Chilled Water Outage Affects Campus

Keywords

News room topics

Categories

Climate Action Plan Provides Road Map to Net-Zero Emissions

Related links

Keywords

News room topics

Categories

Earth Month Features Sustainability Events

Keywords

News room topics

Categories

GTPD Accepting Applications for Spring Citizens Police Academy

Related links

Keywords

News room topics

Construction Work Begins Dec. 18 for Initial Phase of Campus Connectivity Plan

Keywords

News room topics

Ground Blasting Work to Begin for Tech Square Phase 3

Related links

Keywords

Categories

Upcoming Building Closures for Planned Electrical Work

Keywords

News room topics

Categories

October Events Celebrate Campus Sustainability Month

Event Lineup

Related links

Keywords

News room topics

Categories

The Latest in Campus Construction

Soon to Wrap Up

In Progress

Coming Soon

On the Horizon

Keywords

News room topics

Categories