Molloy College Seeks LEED Certification for its Green "Public Square": Capital Campaign Raises $19 Million
STORY BY SALLY GILHOOLEY

"Public Square," the proposed 65,000 square foot "green" building of Molloy College in Rockville Centre, will not only serve as a campus hub to its 3,700 students but also will welcome hundreds of thousands within the larger Long Island community as a venue for a myriad of rich and diverse cultural events. The projected date for the ground breaking is the end of the fall of 2008 semester or the start of the spring 2009 semester. Molloy is hoping to open the building in the spring of 2010.

"The Square" will be the key component of a long-term, three-phased development project at Molloy to build the campus of the future while meeting the needs of current students and providing for growth essential to attract the leaders of tomorrow.

An energizing, flexible space, building plans include a 550-seat theater, an art gallery and a television broadcast center allowing the College to produce from campus its popular Telecare Channel 29 issues-based programs, including Molloy President Drew Bogner's, new show, The Public Square. Such artistic amenities have been included to elevate the intellectual life of students and the community and are in tandem with the CollegeÕs commitment to address matters important to Long Island.

In a recent interview with Networking¨ magazine, Bogner, co-founder of the Energeia Partnership, the Academy for Regional Stewardship at Molloy, said, "Public Square is a building that is critical to Molloy. It becomes a centerpiece for our institution and the external community and is in concert with Molloy's mission to offer a value-centered educational experience to prepare students to live and work in the global world of today. "

"In addition to the theatre and art gallery there will be public gathering spaces for students and others such as the Information Commons with easy access to technology that will spill over throughout the building. Such access will be everywhere in a blending of group spaces so people can work together or work in a semi-private environment if they choose."

Edward Thompson, vice president for Advancement at Molloy, spearheaded the multi-million dollar capital funding campaign, the most successful fund-raising effort in the history of the College which has raised $19 million to date. He said, "The name (The Public Square) symbolizes what we are trying to do. As a major community institution and in line with the Molloy mission, the College has a responsibility to set a good example as a steward of the earth's resources."

Of the $28.6 million budget, nearly $24 million is for construction with almost $2 million for specific green components. The green building preliminary design encompasses eco-friendly features under all six of the United States Green Building Council's Leadership and Environmental Design (LEED) certification categories ranging from alternative transportation to storm water management and water efficient landscaping. The project calls for maximize natural lighting and increased air circulation. On-site renewable energy and low-emitting materials, adhesives and sealants are to be utilized in construction and design. An extensive recycling program is planned.

Award-winning, Manhattan-based school design professionals, Butler Rogers Baskett Architects, were selected to develop the environmentally-friendly design. Stressing the importance of green building, firm partner Bob Vuyosevich, AIA and LEED Accredited Professional (AP), said, ÒAs school designers today, we have to submit a green plan or we don't get the job.

"We architects are working with Molloy College towards the goal of achieving LEED certification. To that end, our team will support and encourage the design integration required for a LEED green building, expedite the application and certification process, coordinate the design and document the activities of the design team."

General areas for LEED consideration include: a sustainable site- in Molloy's case - its current baseball field, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and the design process. Vuyosevich added, "Saving water and energy and using "green" building materials uses less of our precious natural resources. Minimizing storm water runoff and heat absorption in parking areas and on roofs, insuring good indoor air quality, maximizing daylight and views and providing for day to day healthy operation and maintenance are key components of sustainability."

Thompson, co-founder of Energeia Partnership and for the past 15 years chairman of the Board of Long Island Neighborhood Network, the environmental and public policy advocacy group, was honored recently by Neighborhood Network for his advocacy efforts to preserve Long Island's environment and ensure accountable government. He said, "It is our hope that the symbolism of being gathered together in a "green" structure will serve as an example to encourage all who enter "The Square" that spending money to be "green" is not only economically wise, but will be part of the solution in ridding our nation of dependence on foreign oil."

Some specific initiatives included in the building plan to qualify for LEED accreditation are: a construction activity pollution plan to reduce soil erosion and airborne dust; measures that minimize a heat island effect by shading with landscape features and using reflective roofing material; landscape irrigation limiting potable water; using heating, lighting and other energy systems that comply with international standards; providing for storage and collection of recyclables; constructing with regionally obtained materials and using low-emitting paints, carpeting and composite wood products free of harmful resins.

The Square's green construction will be in tandem with Molloy's commitment to create and preserve healthy educational surroundings. The building is expected to be a beacon of environmental responsibility to students and 14,000 alumni and also serve as such to the larger Long Island community.

Bogner added, "Buildings that are public today must be green and embrace the values and ethics that speak to the common good. Educational institutions must model that environmentally friendly ethic. It's clear that what we need to be doing as a sector is to make all schools environmentally friendly."

Molloy College, Rockville Centre, New York, was founded by the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Cross in 1955 as a college for women. It has since dropped its status as a Catholic college and has opened its doors to male students thus becoming the coeducational "Molloy College: Education in the Dominican Tradition."

 
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