Sustainability Projects & Initiatives

Permeable pavers and bioswale
  • Both provide natural drainage on campus and reduce the water sent to municipal storm sewer system by over 3.6 million gallons per year.
  • The permeable pavers (link to company website) are an engineered system of stone, filter fabric and topping that cleanse the rain water as it percolates into the ground naturally.
  • Since the water is able to filter through to the roots, the pavers help preserve mature trees and aid growth of new plants.
  • The bioswale, located on the west side of Parmer Hall, contours water around the mature trees and filters silt from the runoff water.
Retrofit of ventilation system
  • The 1931 ventilation system in Lewis Hall was altered to air condition the building, allowing the university to remove the inefficient window air conditioners. The retrofit of the system provides better air movement and is more energy efficient.
Energy saving initiatives
  • A building automation system controls the energy settings on campus.
  • Other energy saving features include occupancy sensors, solar power lights, borrowed lighting, day lighting and heat recovery.
  • Energy efficient boilers save 100,000 therms per year.
  • Energy efficient lighting was installed on campus, saving 148,000 watts per year.
Cistern and irrigation
  • The university uses an existing cistern, a large water tank that was built in the 1920s, to collect rainwater from the buildings. The water is used for the irrigation of campus and in the air conditioning system in Parmer Hall.
  • The cistern also gathers water that is pumped out of the basement of one of the residence halls.
  • Because of the cistern system, Dominican has reduced the amount of potable water purchased by 4-6 million gallons per year.
Parmer Hall
  • The building followed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) criteria in design and construction.
  • 27% of the material used was recycled content.
  • The university bought 73% of the materials locally, reducing the amount of fuel needed to transport the materials.
  • Rapidly renewable wood was used in the construction.
  • Occupancy sensors in the classrooms adjust the heating, cooling and lighting depending on whether people are in the room.
  • The glass used for the two floor atrium deflects heat in the summer time and also has a pattern that prevents birds from flying into the glass.
  • The university replanted more trees on campus than the number that were removed during construction. The wood from the trees that were cut down was used to make benches and wall crosses for inside Parmer Hall.
Parking garage
  • The garage uses day lighting so the light levels will automatically dim if natural light levels are high.
  • Reserved spaces are available for hybrid and electric cars.
  • Level one charging for certain electric cars is available on the first floor of the parking garage.
BikeDU
  • Students, faculty and staff can check out a bike for free from the main desks at the Main and Priory campuses. Visit the Welcome and Information Desk at either the Main or Priory campuses to sign up for BikeDU. Call (708) 366-2490 or email bikedu@dom.edu for more information.
Recycling on campus
  • Garbage and recycling is collected together daily. In the large bins, there are black bags for recycling and white bags for trash. The bags are separated into two different compactors: one for trash and one for recycling and cardboard. Finally, the garbage service (Veolia) picks up the garbage and recycling in two separate trucks.
  • Office supplies such as ink cartridges and paper are also recycled.
  • During the construction of Parmer Hall, Pepper Construction diverted up to 75% of construction waste from landfill with their construction waste management plan.
  • Rubble from the demolition of the West Science Building was sorted into piles by material type and recycled where possible.
Community Garden
  • Dominican’s community garden is located on the east side of the Priory Campus, 7200 W. Division Street. Dominican volunteers maintain the garden throughout the summer and a portion of the harvest is donated to the local food pantry in the fall. For more information or to help in the garden, contact Monica Halloran at mhallora@dom.edu.
Geothermal and Solar
  • Dominican completed a feasibility study on the use of geothermal and solar energy on campus. Analysis of the study and grant funding opportunities are in process.