Graduate Student Documents Construction of Energy-Efficient Academic
Center, and Discusses LEED Certification and Other Environmental Related
Topics
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 2009--
American
Public University System (APUS) today announced the “APUS Green
Building Blog,” a new environmental blog designed to document the
construction of its energy-efficient academic center. The blog will
discuss “green” building standards and other sustainability issues on
its website, www.apus-green-building.com.
APUS is a regionally and nationally accredited, fully-online university
system that operates through two universities, American
Military University (AMU) and American
Public University (APU), and educates more than 59,300 adult
learners worldwide.
Wesley Holmes, an Environmental Policy and Management graduate student
at APU, will facilitate and lead the blog’s on-going conversation about
the construction of the new building as part of a graduate research
project.
“My graduate research project will examine the role of the U.S.
Green Building Council (USGBC) and its Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation program in
guiding the design and construction of the university’s Academic Center,
as well as the program’s effect on both the immediate and long term
performance of the building’s energy and hydrologic systems,” stated Mr.
Holmes. The USGBC is a non-profit organization committed to a prosperous
and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and
energy-saving green buildings.
In late November, a webcam will be placed on the academic center’s
construction site allowing blog participants to view the progress of
construction over the course of several months. “Viewing the
construction through a webcam will provide students and guests with
additional insights to textbook learning and add real-world context to
on-the-ground sustainability principles,” added Mr. Holmes.
Additionally, the “APUS Green Building Blog” will address environmental
policy; sustainable development; natural resource utilization; and
responsible, community-oriented growth.
Dr. Carol Pollio, Program Director of Environmental Policy & Management,
Environmental Studies, and Public Policy at APUS will be a contributor
to the blog. With more than 30 years experience of Environmental
Science, Natural Resource Management, and Public Policy experience, Dr.
Pollio will discuss how public policy and public-private partnerships
can effectively help communities reuse land in a manner that benefits
the economy, community, and the environment.
For more information about the Environmental Policy & and Management
program at APUS, click here
or visit www.apus.edu.
Follow APUS on Facebook: AMU
and APU.
About APUS Academic Center
The new academic and admissions building will be located in the heart of
the Charles Town – Ranson “Commerce Corridor”, a former Brownfield of
abandoned and under-utilized former industrial sites slated for new
office and retail development. The new four story building will be
constructed for LEED-certification (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) as a “green” facility and built to standards set
by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Some of the environmental
features include highly efficient insulation and windows, lighting
controls to manage energy use, a modern variable refrigerant HVAC
system, and solar panels on the roof to provide a portion of the
building’s energy requirements. When completed, the building will
initially accommodate approximately 140 faculty and staff.
About American Public University System
American Public University System (APUS) includes American
Public University and American
Military University and educates more than 59,000 adult learners
worldwide. APUS’s relevant curriculum, affordability and flexibility
helps working adults pursue degrees in subjects ranging from homeland
security to management and liberal arts. A university book grant
provides course reading materials at no cost to eligible undergraduate
students. For more information, visit www.apus.edu.
Source: American Public University System
American
Public University System
Chris Symanoskie, 703-334-3880
csymanoskie@apus.edu