Going green has become the focus of the campus as renovations have finished with Ullsvik Hall. Steps were taken during the remodeling to ensure Ullsvik would become a “green building.”

Rob Cramer, assistant chancellor for administrative services, said that although the renovations did not go beyond what was required in regards to green standards set by the state, the building would rank as silver according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ranking system.

According to the United States Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization committed to making a greener community, a silver building would be the third highest rank for a green building.

Ullsvik reused a large portion of the existing building, which was a more sustainable process versus building from scratch, Cramer said. The landscaping around the building requires minimal service, which creates a self sustaining green patch on campus.

“Motion sensors help save electricity, especially in the stairwells,” Cramer said.

The windows were built with a glazing and mechanical system to reduce heat loss, Cramer said. Special paints and carpeting, which did not release chemicals, were also used.

Ullsvik renovations also included using recycled materials, and proper waste management, Cramer said. There were no statistics on the amount of recycled material used.

“We’re always looking at trying to go green,” Michael Viney, assistant chancellor for student affairs, said.

Although supported by the campus, going green is still a costly process, Viney said. It is a negotiation between the environmentally conscience and the cost that decides how indepth a green process can go.

UW-Platteville did save money renovating an existing building, Cramer said. By keeping as much existing green space intact, the campus will stay green friendly.

Cramer said to use the recycling units that are in the buildings, which help in waste management. Being conscience of what is being used and how it’s being taken care of will help the university stay green.

With Ullsvik’s eco-friendly constructing, it is still advised to stay energy conscience in every way, Cramer said. The lights in the stairwells are on motion detectors, but students need to remember to turn their lights off when they are done in their own rooms.

“It’s just basic energy conservation. We’re setting ourselves up for the future,” Frank Moullet, Student Senate president, said.