0 0 0 You rage against the machine, I'll get a new engine It's Over Your Head I Architecture Column By Austin Dingwall S tandard Operating Procedure is the way things are done because that is the way they are done. Why struggle against the current when it is easier to go with the flow? Mightier ihan a paradigm, standard operating procedures do not have to be thought about or accepted in a society. Mainly, standards evolve out of common 'ense business practices that are never thought abTout twice. Rarely are they even discussed due to their inherent banality. Only when one tries to step out of the routine do they come to attention because we soon realize that evading the com- monplace is not simply about seeking alternatives, it is about fighting a system. Erecting a building is all about standard pro- cedures. The construction industry is basically a sequence of steps that leads to a structure. Over time, a long list of techniques has been honed to provide a predictable outcome within an accept- able time frame for a particular price. Recently, however, it has become increasingly apparent that these standard building practices are detrimental to both our natural and human environments. In the United States, buildings account for approximately one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, raw material use and waste output. Around 70 percent of all waste volume in land- fills comes from the construction industry. One- twelfth of the entire world's energy is consumed to heat and cool U.S. buildings, and it takes, on average, as much energy to heat and cool a build- ing for three years as it did to build it in the first place. Clearly, there is something defunct with the architectural SOP. In terms of pollution, energy consumption and a slew of other health related issues like indoor air quality, we are seemingly not building toward the future but rather digging our own graves. Yet this is no dirty little secret. Worldwide, there are architects, builders, scholars and stu- dents promoting sustainable architecture. The craze is upon us, and the word sustainable has now reached buzzword status. If there is so much attention drawn to this environmental crisis, why is it still so hard to actually create a truly sustain- able building? Because SOP is stronger than even the most rational reasoning. The ease of using old fashioned, outdated and expected modes of pro- duction usually outweighs the risk associated with trying something new and better. Here at the University, there are two new con- struction projects that starkly and unexpectedly contrast each other in terms of promoting sus- tainability. The architects and donors for the new Stephen M. Ross School of Business have actively integrated sustainable aspects into their project. Although business and environmental interests are stereotypically at odds, Business School Dean Bob Dolan said that creating a sustainable building for his school plainly "makes sense." By focusing a sub-committee on sustainability from the very beginning stages of the design process, the archi- tects were able to interweave green aspects into the entire project. Using the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmen- tal Design (LEED) rating system, the architects will gain LEED certification but are more inter- ested in achieving a sustainable environment. Across campus, there is a fervor of talk about the new C.S. Mott Children's and Women's Hos- pital, yet there is little talk of making the new facility environmentally friendly. Around the country, more hospitals are getting recognition for becoming LEED-certified. The children's and women's hospital can optimize sustainability as comparable hospitals have done. This building, used to promote health, is being envisioned in a far less environmentally friendly manner. Also interesting to note, is that the C.S. Mott Foun- dation, which is chipping in $25 million of the $498 million for construction, actually describes itself as "supporting efforts that promote a just, equitable, and sustainable society." Apparently, building a less than sustainable building pro- motes the sustainable society of the C.S. Mott Foundation. Seemingly backwards, this hospital with a sus- tainable-minded donor will be less healthy than the new Business School. The difference being that the Business School modifies the SOP of con- struction while the hospital just goes along with the standards. At the heart, the issue boils down to SOP. There are nearly 200 environmental stewardship projects at the University. There are various aca- demic programs and courses focused on sustain- ability as well as numerous student groups and initiatives. In 2003, President Mary Sue Coleman initiated an Environmental Task Force to assess the University's impact, and the Office of the Pro- vost has recently launched the Graham Environ- mental Sustainability Institute - a $10.5-million of-state tuition, is that, with University tuition comparable to that at elite privates, the best and brightest Michigan students would no longer have an incentive to attend the Uni- versity of Michigan over Northwestern Uni- versity, Harvard, etc. Consequently, the University's reputation and academic excel- lence, which is defined in no small part by its undergraduate body, would suffer. But if the University maintained a discount for in-state students, even when private, it could remain more attractive than peer institutions outside the state. In theory, the University would still be able to attract Michigan's top high school graduates. In fact, as long as the in-state rate of tuition is still relatively low compared to the out-of-state rate, Michigan students will have a financial incentive to accept an offer of admission from the University. While a $20,000 tuition bill is sizeable, undergradu- ate in-state tuition would remain far below the mar- ket value of a University education Courant said. He argues that because the University is currently the best institution in the state, it has the room to ratchet up tuition. without losing students. "People will be unhappy, but they'll come," he said. Even with an annual tuition rate of around $20,000, the University would still offer a "tremen- dous return on investments for... upper middle-class students," who constitute 50 percent of the Universi- ty's undergraduates. But simply having the cash to privatize is not sufficient. Critical to the question of privatization is whether the state's citizens would allow the neces- sary constitutional amendment. While the Macki- nac Center brushed over this political obstacle in its endorsement of privatization, Courant feels oth- erwise. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Courant indicated that such a change would require "enormous political upheaval." But even if the change required enormous upheaval, it could conceivably be pushed through. If analysis shows privatization to be in the public interest, the political battle necessary to privatize the University could be won. This obstacle, while potentially difficult to circum- vent, could eventually be overcome - if advo- cates could effectively support and sell their case. THE STATEMENT. PRIVATELY OWNED. At PUBLICLY ADORED. OR AT LEAST READ F EVERY THURSDAY. 4Just because the past provost (Courant) and some others were will- ing to commit financial aid ... that doesn't mean it will be main- x tained in tougher times. - Edward St. John author of "Privatization and Public Universities." What are the drawbacks? ut all experts are not convinced that privatization of the University is in the school's best interest - or the state's. Education Prof. Edward St. John, author of "Privatization and Public Universities," which will be published- by the Indiana University Press next year, has argued that the state and university are metaphorically married, and that "even though it's a rocky period ... good marriages go through rocky periods." According to St. John, while it is perfectly pos- sible to privatize the University, it would be in neither the state's nor the institution's interest. The reputation value of being one of the world's best public institu- tions "far, far outweighs," in St. John's words, "the benefits of being a third-rate Harvard." "Our public nature is an essential part of who we are," said Uni- versity spokeswoman Julie Peterson, "It would be a loss for us to shift our mission." Furthermore, the linkage between the state and University has provided "cultural-capital value" to both the state and University. On one hand, fund- ing from the state has helped the University grow to its present size, while on the other, the economic and moral contributions of the University have had tremendous impact on the state's history and devel- opment. Most importantly, however, St. John believes that full privatization would endanger the Univer- sity's long-standing public mission of providing an affordable education to Michigan citizens. If the University raised its in-state tuition to the levels needed to privatize, those hailing from low-income. backgrounds would be shut out of the University: "You would only have access for poor kids in the state at regional campuses," he said. Right now, as part of the University's mission to the state, it has publicly promised to meet the finan- cial need of all in-state undergraduates. Even while tuition increased this year, the burden on students from families making less than the state's median income was offset by larger increases in financial aid. As a private institution, the University would have no such obligation to ensure access. "Just because the past provost (Courant) and some others were willing to commit financial aid ... that doesn't mean it will be maintained in tougher times," St. John said. Without significant financial aid, a priva- tized University would exclude lower income stu- dents - and without any responsibility to the state, the University would have no duty to maintain accessibility. But even if the University maintained its com- mitment to financial aid, the $20,000-plus sticker price could easily scare many low-income students away from even applying. Even now, Courant fears that the University's price - high relative to other Michigan institutions - keeps many low-income students from applying. If the University privatized and raised tuition, it is logical to predict the Univer- sity's applicant pool would shrink further. Conse- quently, the University would have a smaller group from which to select the incoming freshman class. The smaller pool would translate not only into a less diverse incoming class, but also, arguably - a lower quality class. There is also the relevant fear that a priva- tized University would shrink - significantly - its incoming classes. With a student body of over 37,000 students, the University is far larger than any private institution. Yet, this large class size is integral to the University's character and mission. "While elite private universities were important in setting the standards and charac- ter of higher education in America, it was the public university that provided the capacity and diversity to meet our nation's vast needs for postsecondary education," argues Duderstadt. 30 f- St at 571000 001 t000L } Source 197: 1991A EMMA NOLAN-ABRAHAM IAN/Daily The new C.S. Mott Children's and Women's Hospital is far from environmentally friendly. interdisciplinary initiative. All this well-meaning conscientious activism is basically akin to salmon fighting their way upstream due to the challenges of SOP. To achieve a lesser environmental impact, the University must willingly change its standard operating procedures. First and foremost, rather than a piecemeal building-by-building approach, Michigan can change its policies University-wide. If the Board of Regents makes a mission not to approve any building that won't achieve at least LEED certi- fied status, then the entire system changes. From then on, all University buildings will have to comply with a more environmental protocol. Secondly, we must realize that new policies leading to greater efficiency are relative to days of old. Comparing sustainability to the current base- line only justifies the present system. As William McDonough, a leader in the sustainable move- ment, says, "Being less bad is no good." Using the EPA's Energy Star program, the University has saved $9.7 million of electricity yearly. That sounds great. Another way of looking at it, we were spending $9.7 million more than we needed before - due to antiquated SOPs. Lastly, there is a perception that building green costs more. True, there is usually an increased cost of construction, though many buildings have shunned negative criticism of new green technol- ogy by being both clean and cheap. If the SOP changed to more sustainable construction, the ~initial cost increase would disappear. Also, low energy costs of green buildings succeed in mak- ing them economical over the length of their lives. The University must unify their accounting to consider both original construction costs and con- tinuing operating and maintenance costs together. In order to achieve a brighter future, we must stop bending to the standard operating procedures of current architecture and construction practices. But continually fighting the existing system is not the answer. Changing today is the only way to change tomorrow. Dingwall is the Daily's architecture columnist. He can be reached at adingwal@umich.edu. LHE STATEMENT. WE'LL BE BACK. App *Information Future: Meet Driven Econc a.a NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Master of Science in Education School of Education and Social Policy 618 Garrett Place Evanston, IL 60208 Program Pafo3motsge4tmotFRE ms 2333 S. State Street (1 mile north of 1-94) (734) 222-0277 THE STORAGE CHEST 3033 West Liberty (Between Stadium & Wagner) (734) 663-6443 storagechest@pogodaco.com The legend is coming... 0 0.4 ofthesontoen6 We ar.ue in-terviewing for- the following ostions- *Poa Trainers - ACE, NSCA and/or NASM certified *Mbe sales consultants Please call 7 3 4 - 3 2 0 - 0 7 5 4 for more information. tention Future Elementary School Teachers: Marjorie Gosselin Fitzgerald Fellowships ellowships available for Fall 2006. Awards given to outstanding female applicants who want to teach in elementary schools. statestreet@rpoaodaco.corn N The Self Storage Specialists! www.selfstorage.net/nss Unplanned Pregnancy? Hagds Aeros The Water, a lierised aopt iig ercyt fn help Yom. explore youroptiors-* Contact qur prgnarcy counselor for confd qd cv support. 1iFree #: 1466-789-4 ' 2890 Carpenter Rd Suite 600 Ann Arbor, MI 48108 To receive greatest consideration for fellowships, please apply by the Fall 2006 Early Admission Deadline: January 6, 2006 To learn more about how to apply for this and other awards, or about upcoming information sessions, please visit our website at www.sesp.northwestern.edu/msed or call our office at (847) 467-1458 P1 IEMs NO0 PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASCE' ;t r # E:"i : itc~s, : if it64 j I 1 The Michigan Daily - 6B - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, December 8, 2005