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Buildings & Operations
UAlbany strives to operate in the most sustainable manner possible through a combination of energy efficiency and conservation projects, renewable energy technologies, green cleaning and sustainable waste management.
Please visit the Office of Facilities Management website for information on ongoing construction and renovation projects.
buildings
LEED Certified Buildings
Several UAlbany buildings, listed below, are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. LEED certification indicates a building was designed and built to meet certain standards in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
LEED Silver Buildings
- Husted Hall
- SBA Annex Building
- RNA Institute, Life Sciences
LEED Gold Buildings
- Catskill
- CNSE
- Data Center, Information Technology
- Beverwyck Hall on Dutch Quad
- Herkimer Hall on Colonial Quad
- Liberty Terrace
- Massry Center for Business
- Mohawk Tower on Indigenous Quad
- Schuyler Hall on Dutch Quad
LEED Platinum Buildings
- Hudson Building
- ETEC
Sustainable Features of ETEC
ETEC is a hub for innovation, scholarship, applied research and commercial development designed to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations to confront complex problems.
The $180 million, 246,000 gross square foot state-of-the-art building aligns with SUNY’s goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions. It has received LEED Platinum certification, the highest level awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council for energy-efficient and sustainable buildings.
A geothermal field of 190 wells and solar panels on the Uptown Campus Podium combine to save about 70 percent in energy costs, efficient fixtures reduce water usage by 40 percent, and the site includes green stormwater management including a porous parking lot and a teaching green roof.
Energy
The Office of Sustainability and the Office of Energy Management work together to assess energy use, promote energy conservation, and implement green technologies and renewable energy systems on campus. This helps reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while producing significant cost savings.
energy
Renewable Energy on Campus
Solar Panels: The uptown campus is home to the largest rooftop solar array in the State University of New York system. The 4,783 photovoltaic panels have the capacity to generate 1.9 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 315 homes.
Geothermal Energy: The Liberty Terrace apartment complex and ETEC building feature geothermal heat pump systems that supplies heating and cooling. This technology uses the earth as a heat source in the winter and as heat sink in the summer, allowing them to use less energy than traditional heating systems.
Intersession Energy Saving Initiative
During Intersession, UAlbany implements strong energy conservation measures from late December to early January. This involves reducing electricity use and lowering the buildings' temperatures when they are lightly used. Since its inception in 2009, we have been able to reduce our environmental impact and save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Energy Dashboard
Campus energy use can be viewed via an on-line dashboard designed to provide real-time information and insights into the institution's energy usage.This tool aims to promote transparency, support sustainability initiatives, and encourage energy-saving practices within the university community.
Environment
Many places on UAlbany's campuses highlight local ecology and flora. Learn more about the regional environment.
Parker Pond — located between Indigenous Quad and Liberty Terrace — this functions not only as a landscape feature but also as a retention basin for rainwater. The collected water is then used to irrigate campus lawns and fields.
There are numerous green spaces on campus that serve as locations for relaxation and reflection. The largest and most popular are the East and West Gardens. The East Garden — located between Biology and the Performing Arts center — offers a breathtaking scene in late April while the azaleas are in bloom. The West Garden — located between Social Science and the University Library — provides a green and sunny spot for studying and bunny watching.
The University's first rain garden was installed at the Alumni House in October 2011 in partnership with the Albany County Stormwater Coalition. The garden mitigates rainfall run-off onto University Drive. Since then, rain gardens have been added at Liberty Terrace and the Campus Center.
UAlbany's fountains are iconic symbols for the University and employ sustainable features. By recirculating water, the fountains don't put a constant demand on our water supply. The fountains' hours are timed to conserve energy and the water streams' levels for the entryway fountain adjusts according to wind conditions.
environment
Food & Dining
Food and dining initiatives are a central component of our sustainability efforts on campus. From vegetarian and vegan dining options to including more local foods on the menu, sustainability has been integrated into our food culture — ensuring freshness, boosting the local economy and creating connections with the community. Learn more about UAlbany Dining's sustainability efforts.
UAlbany is proud to be the only SUNY campus that has received Fair Trade University designation.
The campus also organizes the New York Campus Crunch, a state-wide celebration of local food on college campuses.
food
Purchasing
One of the best ways to reduce waste is to buy more durable and sustainable products.
New York State Executive Order 22 requires state agencies to purchase more sustainably. Guidance on sustainable contracts and product specifications is available on the New York State Office of General Services website.
In March 2024, the SUNY system issued a single use plastic policy which provides due dates to phase out selected items.
purchasing
Recycling & Waste
UAlbany strives to reduce the waste we produce and manages several recycling streams including mixed paper, glass, plastic, alumninum, scrap metal, tires, motor oil, kitchen grease, batteries, electronics and lamps.
The University has replaced aging recycling and waste bins in the University Libraries, Campus Center and Academic Podium buildings with new, better labeled bins to help campus community members identify what can be recycled.
Pre- and post-consumer food waste is composted in the University dining halls and catered events. The campus center outlets compose pre-consumer food waste. Departments and campus groups can participate in the campus office composting program. Simply email [email protected] to request a composting pail and get on the schedule of weekly pick ups during the academic year.
waste
Transportation
Each day thousands of students, faculty and staff commute to UAlbany's campuses — presenting many opportunities for improving transportation efficiency. Transportation is a significant source of air pollution and a contributor to climate change.
About 60 percent of students and 10 percent of employees regularly use alternative transportation options. Challenge yourself to leave your vehicle in the driveway once a week. You may be surprised to learn that you can reshape your commute with little effort.
transportation
Bike-shares & Bike Registration
The Bikeable UAlbany Initiative tracks how many bicycles are on campus so the University can plan for a safer, more comfortable bicycling experience for everyone. Register your bike for free.
Current students and employees have free access to the regular CDPHP Cycle! bikes, which are typically available from April to November. Learn more about bike-shares on campus.
Carpooling
UAlbany has teamed up with 511NY Rideshare, a free carpool matching service for anyone living in the Capital Region. The program includes a Guaranteed Ride Home, where registrants are entitled to a free ride home should they walk, bike, bus, carpool to work and need to leave in the event of an emergency.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
UAlbany has several electric vehicle charging stations on its campuses. Visit the Parking & Mass Transit Services' EV Charging webpage for locations and rules.
Parking Permit Discount for Fuel Efficient Vehicles
Students and employees with fuel efficient vehicles are eligible for a 20% discount when they purchase a UAlbany parking permit (decal).
UAlbany & CDTA Buses
Current students and employees can use their UAlbany ID cards to access all UAlbany and CDTA buses.
CDTA provides service throughout the Capital Region and offers several routes that service UAlbany's campuses.
UAlbany buses provides safe, reliable and efficient services to the campus community. Review UAlbany bus schedules. See bus locations in real time using the UAlbany Bus Tracker.
Walking
While walking to campus can be challenging, several features facilitate pedestrian safety while walking on campus including crosswalks, traffic calming infrastructure such as speed humps, rumble strips and curbed islands and vehicle parking has been moved away from the academic buildings. The Purple Path offers an enjoyable multi-modal path around the exterior of campus used frequently by campus and community members.
Water
Water is an extremely valuable resource that needs to be conserved. Did you know that turning off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving can save between two and six gallons of water? Or that the average 10 minute shower takes between 25 and 40 gallons and the average bath between 35 and 60 gallons of water?
Take the time to think about ways you can conserve. Some ideas include turning off running water when its not in use, taking shorter showers and baths, and only running the washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.
In our continuing effort to reduce water use, UAlbany has installed low flow fixtures for showers and bathroom facilities across campus and our grounds are irrigated with water from Parker Pond.
water