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Hamilton is committed to meeting or exceeding best practices related to sustainability. As part of the College’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, it plans to invest in energy upgrades to campus buildings, manage parts of the 1,350-acre campus to increase carbon sequestration on its lands, and continue to study and implement additional opportunities for emission reductions.
This work is being led by Facilities Management and the Hamilton Sustainability Working Group, a group of faculty, students, administrators, and staff charged with updating and creating several action plans that will help guide the College’s efforts.

Three buildings are currently LEED Certified: 

Historic renewable energy and/or conservation feasibility demonstration projects on campus have included:

  • Solar panels at both the Kirner-Johnson Hall and Outdoor Leadership Center, providing a combined 40,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually;
  • A windmill attached to the Kirner-Johnson Hall’s electrical grid; and
  • A green roof at the List Center.

Sustainability in Action

Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps

Hamilton has installed geothermal systems for buildings in Skenandoa House, the atrium of the Taylor Science Center, the Sadove Student Center, the Wellin Museum of Art, and the Johnson Health and Wellness Center; further, work is underway for a new system that is part of the Root Hall renovation project. 

Air Source Heat Pumps

Hamilton has also installed this type of system in the List Center.

Forest Management

The College is managing forests on nearly 1,000 acres of Hamilton-owned land in order to enhance carbon sequestration in trees and reforest open lands by planting carefully selected new trees that thrive in the area.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Twenty (20) charge points have been installed on the College campus and are free to use.

Green Attributes

A project designed by five students that outlines how the College can use green landscaping as a tool to further Hamilton’s commitment to sustainability.

Related News

Sadove Center

Sadove Center Awarded LEED Gold Certification

Hamilton was recently recognized for its efforts to go green, receiving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) for the energy-efficient and sustainably constructed Sadove Student Center.

Kirner-Johnson

KJ Achieves LEED Gold Certification

Like other renovation and construction projects on campus, the Kirner-Johnson project includes energy-efficient mechanical systems, environmentally friendly materials and improved indoor environmental quality.

Skenandoa House

Skenandoa House Goes Green

The renovations included a 16-well geothermal ground water heating and cooling system, individual thermostats in each room, energy efficient lighting, extensive building materials reuse and construction waste management.

Contact

Contact Name

Brian Hansen

Director of Environmental Protection, Safety and Sustainability

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