No one will be surprised if the business students in the Georgia Tech College of Management show increased academic performance after moving to the new Management building in Technology Square. In fact, the expectation is that not only will they perform better, but that they will be more enthusiastic as they learn.

This expectation is not related to any new developments in the business curriculum, but instead is linked to the indoor air quality, filtration systems, carbon dioxide monitors, and other energy management features that were incorporated into the construction of the building that serves as the new home for the business school.

The design materials, features, and processes earned the environment-friendly building a prestigious Silver certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, a nationally recognized rating system launched in 1998 by the U.S. Green Building Council. Besides offering environmental benefits, studies show that LEED school buildings contribute to higher test scores for students.

As one of only two LEED-certified buildings in Georgia, the Technology Square structure is literally a monument to Georgia Tech's commitment to creating a more prosperous and sustainable society. It is an example of "putting your money where your mouth is" and represents a significant milestone in the evolving history of the sustainability movement at Georgia Tech.

Preventative Medicine

Although difficult to define, the commonly accepted description of sustainability is in terms of a high-level objective: "...development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs..." (Report of the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). Unlike the post-Earth Day (1972) focus on correcting ecological ailments resulting from past activities, the sustainability movement focuses on preventative methodologies for living today that avoid future impairment of global systems.

For Georgia Tech, a commitment to sustainability means researching and developing technologies that not only protect or renew limited material and energy resources; but that also promote new practices and renovate existing processes in ways that reduce future risk to the stability of the ecosystem. This entails establishing a multi-faceted strategy that integrates discovery in the research laboratory with learning in the classroom and practice in the stewardship of the campus environment, and beyond to Georgia Tech's myriad partners through local, regional, and global outreach projects.

Planting the Seed

Sustainability began at Georgia Tech in the early 1990s as an offshoot of the extensive environmental research conducted at the Institute during that period. With more than 200 faculty members identifying themselves as involved in green or environmental-relevant research, Georgia Tech leaders helped create the Georgia Research Alliance/Georgia Environmental Technology Consortium (GETC) to provide funding for endowed chairs and research infrastructure in Georgia. The consortium, a partnership among Georgia's research universities, industry, and government, was created in 1991 to foster environmentally responsible economic growth.

Under the leadership of Dr. Jean-Lou Chameau, then chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Tech established the Center for Sustainable Technology (CST), with a grant from the General Electric (GE) Fund, in order to develop curricular materials on sustainability for the College of Engineering. This effort provided a foundation for campus-wide education on the principles of sustainability and coalesced a critical mass of faculty capable of introducing these concepts into the institution's curricula.

Concern for sustainability issues expanded beyond the classroom and laboratory into Institute operations in 1995, by way of the first Institute Strategic Plan. Presented by Georgia Tech President, Dr. G. Wayne Clough, the plan included Georgia Tech's vision statement affirming the institution's commitment to a sustainable society.

The commitment moved from vision to reality in 1996 when Dr. Chameau, then vice-provost for research and CST founder, formed the Sustainability Task Force. Now as provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Chameau continues to promote the sustainability initiatives on campus.

Dr. Chameau was inspired to ensure that resources would be available for faculty members and students to advance education and research in sustainable technologies. Consequently, he challenged the interdisciplinary Sustainability Task Force to understand the level of sustainable-related activities at Georgia Tech and to make recommendations to the administration on what was needed to foster a culture of sustainability. After a year of monthly meetings, the group developed a list of recommendations which defined the strategic approach to embracing sustainability.

One of the recommendations was that "the Institute establish processes for integrating campus master planning and facilities management with research and educational activities that focus on the long-term campus environment." From this, the CST was elevated to the Institute for Sustainable Technology and Development (ISTD) and has ultimately become the umbrella and campus-wide coordinator for sustainability related projects, courses, and initiatives.

"The vision and momentum provided by the 1996 faculty task force has served Georgia Tech and led to the strong programs and activities we now have in sustainability. This vision and commitment has enhanced Tech's overall reputation," said Dr. Chameau.

Sustainability at Georgia Tech Today

Sharing space in the new LEED-certified Management building in Technology Square, ISTD promotes the incorporation of sustainability into new and existing research programs; and supports efforts to include sustainability concepts into required and elective courses.

Functioning as a warehouse for sustainable-related resources for faculty, researchers and students, ISTD also develops tools that educate and link the sustainability community together.

Examples of ISTD-created resources include A Primer on Sustainable Technology and Development, written by Carol Carmichael, former director of ISTD, used in several courses at Tech. In addition, Georgia Tech Courses with Sustainability Content, compiled under the leadership of Nancy Jones, program manager at ISTD, is a reference for students who desire to enhance their program of study with courses containing sustainability concepts. The Green Purchasing Guide was written by Nancy Jones and Cindy Jackson, manager of the Office of Solid Waste and Recycling. In addition to developing publications, ISTD has catalogued known sustainable-relevant researchers and projects. Links to this and other vital sustainability information are available at the ISTD website: www.sustainable.gatech.edu

The history of sustainability at Georgia Tech continues to evolve with frequent milestones that show a significant shift in the technology paradigm. Keeping track of the entire Institute's sustainable technology developments is difficult these days as the rapidly occurring stories on this topic seem to indicate that early visionaries have been successful in affecting a change in social thinking that considers the needs of the future. The ISTD website provides numerous links to local and global headlines that point out the technological community has developed sensitivity to environmental and sustainable awareness in many aspects of research, design, and operations.

Paradigm shifts, however, are notoriously slow processes. Nevertheless, it will take a corporate change in mindset to overcome the resistance to fully envelop sustainable processes and technologies — which invariably add extra costs to projects. A global perspective that accounts for benefits that occur over a period of time helps to justify the additional investments of time and money that are typically required on the front end of sustainable projects.

According to Dr. Bert Bras, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of ISTD, a major barrier for introducing new courses exists because curricula are full and do not leave room for students to take extra courses. Dr. Bras adds that attempts to change existing core courses can lead to stalemate. Overcoming the curricular obstacles will also require time as some schools are reviewing their programs for change and are also investing in young faculty who are more eager to participate in curriculum innovation.

Dr. Bras shares that "We are currently working on some new undergraduate certificate programs that address sustainability from a number of cross-cutting themes. For example, sustainable energy systems and sustainable manufacturing systems." Dr. Bras says that a long term goal has been to integrate some courses with Campus Management, revealing there are opportunities to use the campus as a research and education test-bed.

From the viewpoint at Technology Square, where the new Management building serves as a model for future campus growth that supports the sustainability vision, this looks promising, Dr. Bras.



• Spring 2004 Engineering Enterprise Table of Contents
• Engineering Enterprise Home Page



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