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202 P P a r t I V : a r t I V : C a s e S t u d i e sa s e S t u d i e s

• Furniture in the Involvement Center is constructed of wood from certified
sustainable forests (CSFs).
• Use of bamboo flooring in the dining area utilizes a durable, readily renewable
natural resource capable of rapid regrowth.
• Low volatile organic compound (VOC) substances such as glues, paints, and floor
sealers were used in the construction of the building.
• An environmental education kiosk highlights UWRF sustainability initiatives as
well as provides a continuous monitoring of resources used by the University
Center, including current and average temperatures, gallons of stormwater used,
gallons of freshwater used, and the amount of energy consumed.
• The design of the interior space and maximized use of natural light are intended to
foster social unity in the building’s common areas.

Power and Water
The university is making efforts to be environmentally responsible wherever possible. In
addition to the UC, the university built a parking lot when neighbors objected to students
parking on local streets. The result, however, was a lot with an impervious surface that caused
a rainwater runoff problem. What’s more, in the summers, the blacktop heated up from the
sun beating down on it. When it rained, hot water then ran off into the Kinnickinnic River,
thus raising the water temperature, which is dangerous for the trout that live in the river.
One of the solutions under consideration is to place a rack covered with solar cells over
the Parking lot. The result would be a carbon neutral method of generating energy and
would also serve to reduce the temperature of the runoff water destined for the
Kinnickinnic River.

Community Development
Cain noted that nearly every college offers some program on sustainability. UWRF differs,
however, in that it is actively engaging its community.
“We’ve gone after sustainable community development to solve issues at a community
level,” said Cain. “We framed the campus as a microcosm of the community.”
The college has set a goal of being off the grid by 2012.

Good Neighbors
The college also has a strong relationship with the city of River Falls, the Municipal Utility,
and Wisconsin Public Power (WPPI). WPPI even gave the university $75,000 for a campus
wide energy audit.
Conventional thought might run contrary to the notion that electric companies
are happy to buy back the electricity generated by an organization’s solar panels and
windmills. After all, how does the utility make any money if it’s buying other people’s
power?
As it turns out—and is being played out at UWRF—the college’s electrical provider,
The Municipal Utility and WPPI is more than thrilled to buy back any excess electricity it