Sustainability

Sustainability Statement

The values of stewardship and long-term planning are embedded in the College's Benedictine tradition and are central to the campus sustainability initiative.  CSB is committed to making decisions that will reduce the environmental impacts of building construction and operation.  A reflection of this commitment is CSB’s charter affiliation with the  President’s Climate Commitment (2007), a national commitment by a coalition of college and university presidents' become leaders in carbon-neutrality and combating climate change.  Institutional commitments to sustainability and sustainable design standards guide CSB's decisions.  

Campus Initiatives

Energy Initiatives In 2004, the College of Saint Benedict was awarded the Energy Conservation Award for outstanding management and utilization of energy resources. 

The College has state-of-the-art-energy management systems (EMS) that control lighting, heating and ventilation of all buildings based on demand and occupancy.  CSB’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment operation effectively saves energy on campus. 

Lighting is one area of focus in CSB's sustainability initiatives. The College uses environmentally-friendly electronic ballast with no PCB’s that use less energy than the old style ballasts.  CSB provides efficient lighting using flourescent and compact bulbs.  Motion censors have saved energy in some buildings.

CSB uses natural gas and fuel oil #2 when heating the campus.  These options allow CSB to limit the emissions released into the air.

Landscaping/ Land Management Initiatives.  CSB plants tress and shrubs native to the area central Minnesota.  Over the past eight years, CSB has planted over 600 trees on its campus.

CSB uses its irrigation systems conservatively and has a water management systement that uses underground pipes to funnel storm water into a local wetland restoration area. Domestic water management initiatives are in place to reduce water consumption.

Transportation Initiatives.  The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University are 7 miles apart, and a shuttle bus known as the Link helps to connect the two campuses.  The Link travels a path that utilizes time and fuel efficiently.  Most students prefer the Link over other methods of transit.  On a daily basis, about 4,000 students are transported between the two campuses.  During the 2005-2006 academic year, 852,100 students were transported a total of 185,908 miles. 

CSB is experimenting with biodiesel fuel to save energy on its bussing system.  CSB currently owns one hybrid vehicle and plans to continue exploring this option. 

Recycling plays a key role in keeping  the CSB campus sustainable.  For more information about recycling, please visit the recycling page.

Student Initiatives

The transportation department plays a large role in keeping CSB a sustainable campus.  Students are encouraged to ride the link to their classes, extra-curricular activities, work, meetings, and other activities on the opposite campus.  Bus stops at the El Paso and on Minnesota street encourage students who live off campus to take advantage of the Link, and students who drive are encouraged to carpool.  The Woebegone trail provides an additional option for students who wish to travel outdoors.    

To learn more about what you can do to help keep CSB a sustainable campus, please refer to the Energy Conservation and Recycling pages.

Contractor Accountability

Architects and engineers contracted by CSB must have a LEED certification.

Building Design Recognition

New buildings at CSB meet or exceed all building code requirements.  The College pays close attention to sustainable options in materials and methods of construction so it can take the steps necessary to build a sustainable building.

Carbon Neutrality at CSB

As part of the President's Climate Commitment, CSB recently elected to become a carbon neutral college.