STEVENS POINT (AP) -
The UW-Stevens Point Suites@201 provide a home away from
home just like any other college dorm.
"There's plenty of areas and opportunities to get involved
and interact with everyone else who lives here," said Lyza Reichelt, resident
at The Suites@201.
But this residence hall stands out for the way it was
designed.
A national energy and environmental group is recognizing
UW-Stevens Point leaders for their efforts to build an eco-friendly dorm.
"There are many different factors that have into the
environmental certification of the building through the construction to how we
operate and maintain the building itself. So, everything is really quite green,"
said UWSP Residential Living Facilities Designer, Cindy Von Gnechten.
The building features solar panels, recycled building
materials and energy efficient lighting.
Planners say being green was a top priority.
"The students were asking for it very early on. Our students
are very astute when it comes to environmental stewardship, and residential
living as a whole, that is our mission, as well as campus. That was something
we knew we wanted to incorporate into this building," said Von Gnechten.
And students are proud of the award.
"We're known as a green campus and a sustainability focused
campus. So, It's a cool thing for us to be able to have, like, not just a
title, but to have something to back that up," said Vince Hucek, a UWSP
student.
Reichelt says that the award is something students are
talking about.
"It's definitely going to a push to make sure every else is
working towards that level," added Reichelt.
The award gives national recognition to a campus striving to
be green.
