Green Practices at Truett Seminary Acknowledged by LEED Certification

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Media contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275
WACO, Texas (March 18, 2014) – A small, unobtrusive plaque hangs outside the doors of George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. Many pass this seemingly insignificant sign every day as they go to and from the classes, chapels and offices inside.
However, this plaque holds large significance for Truett. It means that five years ago, the building became the fifth in Texas and the first on any college campus in the state to earn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for buildings not originally constructed to LEED specifications by the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED was developed in the late 1990s as a way to standardize the energy efficiency of new construction. Through a points system and different levels of certification, it created a rating system for buildings to be considered green and environmentally friendly. Since then, it has expanded to rate buildings that were already constructed without LEED’s standardized practices.
The certification must be renewed every five years, and Truett Seminary has successfully renewed its certification for 2014. A ceremony for a new plaque acknowledging the certification will take place outside the front entry at Truett Seminary, 1100 S. Third St., at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 20, followed by Dr Pepper floats.
In 2009, members of the Baylor Aramark team had to document Truett’s energy-efficient practices to earn the certification. But according to Steve Guenther, associate vice president with ARAMARK Higher Education, “good practices are already at Baylor.”
Baylor’s good practices include "using energy and water efficiently, having a recycling program, paying attention to cleaning procedures and chemicals, changing or tightening the schedules of the heating and air conditioning systems," said Don Bagby, assistant vice president of facilities, planning and construction in Baylor’s department of facilities management.
To prepare the necessary documentation for the certification in 2009, Baylor’s ARAMARK inspected areas susceptible to waste, such as how much trash was being recycled, how much water was being used on plants and how natural instead of artificial lighting of could be used.
Truett does more than adjust its own building’s practices to be environmentally friendly. Transportation figured into the equation, too, Bagby said.
"A building should be accessible as far as using walkways, having bicycle racks and being accessible to mass transit," he said. "We want to use energy wisely not only in the building, but in getting to and from the building.”
For more information on LEED certification requirements, click here.
by Rachel Miller, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT GEORGE W. TRUETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary provides theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, the Master of Theological Studies, or the Doctor of Ministry degrees that are centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world. Within the M.Div. degree program, students can choose concentrations in Biblical Studies and Theology, Christian Education, Ministry Leadership, Missions and World Christianity, Worship Leadership, Spiritual Formation, Sports Ministry, and Youth/Family/Student Ministry. Truett Seminary also offers three Dual Degree programs – a M.Div./MSW and MTS/MSW through a partnership with Baylor’s School of Social Work, a M.Div./Master of Music through a partnership with the Baylor's School of Music, and a M.Div./MBA through a partnership with Baylor's Hankamer School of Business.