November 12, 2021

Columbus State University’s LeNoir Hall recently received the Georgia Peach certification from the Georgia Peach Program. The program rates and recognizes buildings owned or managed by the state that optimize energy performance, increase demand for materials produced in Georgia, improve environmental quality, conserve energy, protect the state’s natural resources and reduce the burden on the state’s water supply.

Built in the early 1990s, LeNoir Hall underwent renovations in July 2017, which included the addition of six state-of-the-art science laboratories, two student lobby areas, three student study areas and science equipment. The $11 million large capital project reopened for classes in January 2019.

The Georgia Peach Green Building Rating System uses the Sustainable Construction Standards set forth by the Georgia Peach Program Committee to rate buildings. The committee is comprised of leaders from the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. Certified projects must be approved through an application process in order to receive recognition by the rating system. 

With sustainability as a CSU core value, many changes have already been made to reduce CSU’s environmental footprint. Some of these changes include recycling, solar panels, bus transit and bike and walking paths. Solar powered recycling bins can be found outside of the CougarCafe and in front of the Schwob Memorial Library. Furthermore, to reduce the university’s impact on the local environment, the new trash trap on Lindsay Creek catches and prevents floating trash from continuing down the creek.

Previously recognized for its initiatives to be green, CSU received an Innovation Award for Adaptive Reuse of Howard Hall from the USG Board of Regents in 2015. This was awarded upon the basis of renovating the building compared to new construction. Additionally, in 2008, CSU obtained a Green Campus Award for using green cleaning chemicals, such as glass and multi-purpose cleaner and low foam neutral floor cleaner.

Tree planting is another part of CSU’s sustainability initiative. This can be seen through its partnership with Trees Columbus, annual Arbor Day at Oxbow Meadows and the planting of trees on campus. CSU received the Tree Campus USA designation for these efforts in 2019. 

The Georgia Peach award will soon be recognized with a plaque in the lobby of LeNoir Hall. To learn more about CSU’s current initiatives and plans for sustainability, view the complete 2018-2025 Environmental Sustainability Plan.