Red Jacket Dining Facility Earns National Sustainability Certification

The U.S. Green Building Council recently awarded Red Jacket Dining Complex with a Gold certification in Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for its green-minded design, construction and operations. 

The 21,000-square-foot space opened in 2018 after a full renovation, with expanded dining areas and gathering areas. While the students eat, they see some of the design, but much of the efforts are behind the scenes.

During construction, 31 percent of all materials used were recycled, and more than 65 percent of all waste generated during construction was recycled instead of going to the landfill, says Michael Neiderbach, the College’s director of planning and construction. Features include LED lighting, and heating, cooling, and plumbing systems that are more energy efficient. Shutters from the original Red Jacket were used to decorate the ceiling, and other furnishings are made from reclaimed wood. The original Red Jacket opened in 1966.

Campus Auxiliary Services, which operates the dining facilities, works with local food suppliers, uses trayless dining and supports other efforts for sustainability, says Clarence Mitchell, CAS facilities director. CAS has collected compost from restaurants on campus for several years, which is used in campus landscaping. For example, during a two-week period last January, CAS collected nine, full 55-gallon totes of compost material from campus restaurants. 

“SUNY Geneseo is committed to sustainability and has been for a long time,” says Neiderbach. 

Red Jacket is one example of the College’s mission to support sustainability. Six buildings on campus built or renovated to LEED standards. Geneseo's other “green” facilities include:

Monroe Hall

• LEED Gold Certified
• Geothermal system — heating and cooling
• Rainwater harvesting for use in bathroom water closets
• Electronic energy dashboard
• Energy-efficient windows and mechanical equipment
• Water bottle refill stations

Bailey Hall

• LEED Silver certified
• Natural daylighting
• Passive solar and sun shading
• Energy-efficient windows and mechanical equipment
• Water bottle refill stations

Letchworth Dining Hall

• LEED Silver certified
• Geothermal system — heating and cooling
• Rainwater harvesting for use at bathroom water closets
• Natural daylighting
• Passive solar and sun shading
• Energy-efficient windows and mechanical equipment

Seneca Hall

• LEED Silver certifiable
• Geothermal system — heating
• Passive solar and sun shading
• Energy-efficient windows and mechanical equipment

Doty Hall

• LEED Silver certifiable
• Geothermal system — heating and cooling
• Rainwater harvesting for use in bathroom water closets
• Energy-efficient windows and mechanical equipment
• Water bottle refill stations

"Green" buildings on campus are one of many ways in which the college is addressing sustainability. View our interactive storytelling map to learn more.