Hanley Sustainability Institute

By Kelsey Frantz

The City of Dayton is known for its rich history, talented sports teams, leadership in aviation and so much more. However, there is one more outstanding aspect that is often overlooked.

In November 2023, Dayton earned certification as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum City. The LEED certification is awarded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). This achievement makes Dayton the first city in Ohio and only the fourth city in the United States to earn the recognition.

LEED Platinum makes Dayton stand out as a leader in the sustainability field. When earning a certification, there are multiple sectors that can be developed to make cities more sustainable. Some of the categories that LEED focuses on include quality of life, materials and resources, natural systems and ecology, and water efficiency.

Dayton earned its certification by focusing on the equity aspect of sustainable development. Another strong part of Dayton’s case was its ability to manage resources and waste. The city was able to prioritize sustainable practices that aligned with the LEED requirements.

These priorities have also transferred over to the University of Dayton campus. The university has been working toward LEED goals for over a decade and has made successful strides. UD has successfully completed 10 Gold- and four Silver-certified projects. The very first UD LEED project was n 2013 with the construction of the GE Aviation Electrical Power Integrated Systems Center (EPISCenter). EPISCenter was the first campus building to earn a LEED Gold rating. Recently, the university achieved Gold certification for the Roger Glass Center for the Arts.

UD continues to strive for certification on building projects and requires LEED for certain aspects of campus development. One example of this is in the university's action policy for sustainability on campus.

The UD Sustainability Policy says LEED concepts will be utilized whenever practical. Some examples of utilizing LEED concepts include installing renewable energy sources like solar panels, conserving water usage through rainwater harvesting systems or prioritizing sustainable materials such as LEED-certified wood products. Additionally, UD made it a campus goal all new buildings be built to at least LEED Silver. It is also included in the Campus Operations Sustainability Goals that at least one campus building should be built or renovated to achieve LEED Platinum by 2029. The university is also hoping to achieve the highest possible rating in waste management by 2031.

All of these university goals recognize the importance of LEED certification and UD's commitment to developing a sustainable campus. Another project expressing UD's commitment to sustainability was the renovation of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. The university was able to reuse materials, sustainably handle construction waste and include more water efficient landscaping. Those steps and other considerations earned the chapel LEED Gold certification.

There are ways to become involved with LEED as an individual, including getting a LEED accreditation. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to earn my LEED Green Associate in 2023 with support from the Hanley Sustainability Institute (HSI) at UD. HSI provided exam preparation resources and covered exam fees. I can confidently say the experience better prepared me for my future in sustainability beyond UD, and it can do the same for others.

Another easy way to get involved with LEED is by visiting the USGBC website and reading through the many articles that cover sustainable topics ranging from building an energy efficient home to the best ways to incorporate plants in an urban setting.

You can also make a difference as a college student by continuing to encourage university leaders to strive for more LEED certifications on campus. Making your voice heard has an impact on university decisions, so be sure to communicate your support for furthering LEED projects in the UD community.