The time a young person spends in college, is undeniably an important transitional period from childhood to adulthood. It is often the first time he or she resides outside a family home, and experiences living communally with strangers. Along with developing essential social skills, the students have the opportunity to learn and develop sustainable life style choices that will not only enhance their personal lives, but also contribute to the establishment of a thriving community, a vital society and a verdant planet Earth.

The Presidents' Climate Commitment underscores the important leadership responsibility that colleges and universities must assume in developing “a thriving ethical and civil society”. A large part of a student’s moral growth at this stage of life is the increasing awareness that all decisions and actions have consequences, both personal and social. Along with the many other considerations, social equity and justice need to be an integral part of our critical decision-making as well.

The built environment that forms the backdrop for this personal growth certainly includes vaulted academic halls, but just as important, it includes student living spaces. Without sacrificing personal comfort, student housing can foster behavior that leads to fuller lives within a smaller environmental footprint. Sharing facilities encourages greater interaction and develops a sense of community. A strong community in turn promotes a positive sense of interdependence and social tolerance – attitudes that build a stronger, healthier and more equitable society for everyone.

Tell me, I'll forget. Show me, I may remember. But involve me and I'll understand. – Chinese Proverb

Built environments can inspire changes in our lives and in our society. With thoughtful planning and good design, universities and colleges can infuse student residences with many sustainable attributes that can be illustrated, interpreted, taught to and practiced by residents. These principles, found particularly in areas that increase social contact, illustrate large planning concepts, promote sustainable neighborhood living and embody green building technologies and materials.

The Social Environment
The peaceful co-existence of strangers is the foundation of civilization. Student housing with its variety of social spaces, both formal and casual, plays a crucial role in promoting interaction between residents and demonstrating the benefits, both individual and social, of positive communal experiences:
• Stairs and entries function as casual social spaces
• Outdoor porches and seating areas can provide for gatherings, spontaneous learning and impromptu performances.
• Mailboxes, bulletin boards and information screens become additional communication forums

The Urban Environment
Universities or college campuses are developed at a higher, more urban, density than the suburban environments many students are accustomed. Many campuses are self-contained communities, offering expanded resources to the student population. Greater walkability and access to a variety of modes of transportation helps to reduce dependence on private vehicles and promotes the use of shared vehicles. Along with the numerous social and cultural opportunities available, many campuses are now also offering greater food options, especially those that link students to the surrounding community:
• Campus shuttles and connections to local and regional mass transit systems
• Shared vehicles: bicycles, Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), car sharing
• Pedestrian access to campus and neighborhood services
• Access to unique local resources, such as cultural and community events and increasing locally and organically grown food.

The Immediate Neighborhood
Clustered housing projects generally create specific social identities through common experience or cause. Fostering a strong sense of community, residents tend to unite in working for mutual interest. Living in a close community places a sense of responsibility on the individual to more carefully manage and preserve communal resources so that they can be used and enjoyed by all. Higher density cluster housing occupies smaller footprints, freeing adjacent land for recreational and socially oriented uses. Sharing infrastructure, is effective in reducing the quantity of construction, allowing residents to be more connected to their natural surroundings:
• Spaces more attuned with the outdoors
     o Microclimatic response
     o Expanded living spaces through the use of indoor/outdoor spaces
• Access to natural landscapes
• Utilization of renewable energy sources
• Gray water re-use and recycling
• Black water/sewage treatment using constructed wetlands or bio-digester systems
• Stormwater collection and control
• Access to recycling and composting

The Material Environment
Teaching fundamental knowledge on green building technologies to students can potentially instill a life-long interest in energy conservation and pro-active attitude towards ownership of the quality of their own environments. .Living in a student community designed as a laboratory for sustainable living provides ample opportunities for a greater understanding of how the built environment impacts Global conditions. Direct contact and interaction with green building principles and technologies help residents to see more clearly the personal and societal benefits of being more thoughtful about our actions and lifestyle choices and the idea that this does not necessitate radical sacrifice. Direct application of the following technologies in student housing can improve the quality of life substantially:
• Passive heating and cooling
      o Natural ventilation
      o Solar shading
      o Gradated cooling using indoor/ outdoor spaces
      o Useful daylighting
• Advanced building technology or air conditioning systems
      o Geothermal
      o Radiant systems
• Healthy indoor environment with low or zero toxicity materials
• Building for durability-extended life cycle, or de-construction
• Reduced water use
      o Low flow/ultra low flow water fixtures
      o Xeriscape landscaping
• Emphasis on highly sustainable building materials (rapidly renewable, recycled and recyclable)
• Demonstration of technology –monitoring devices with real time displays in common areas
• Translation of building process into carbon footprint currency

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