Grinnell College recognizes the importance of constructing and renovating buildings in a manner that is environmentally responsible. Specifically, the college has adopted a green building policy that affirms:

"Grinnell College recognizes that environmentally responsible design should minimize the environmental impact and lifetime operational costs of college owned buildings. Building designs that are environmentally responsible promote energy efficiency, land stewardship and resource conservation, which, in turn, preserve the natural resources of the Grinnell community and the surrounding region. Financially, building design that incorporates life cycle cost analysis is important to responsible long-term fiscal planning for the College.

To the extent that their implementation is consistent with the mission of Grinnell College and incurs reasonable expenses, the set of building principles described below collectively provide the framework for all new major construction and major renovation of buildings on campus. Architects, contractors, engineers, landscape architects, and all others involved in building projects on Grinnell's campus are expected to follow these guidelines."

Adopted April 28, 2006

View complete Green Building Guidelines

Green buildings on campus
Buildings with completed LEED certification, application pending, or future LEED buildings:

• Conard Environmental Research Area (LEED Gold Certified)
• East Campus dorms (LEED Certified)
• Joe Rosenfield Campus Center (LEED certification pending)
• Noyce Science Center Phase II (LEED Silver certification pending)

• On May 4, 2006 CERA's Environmental Education Center was rated gold-certified. This is the first gold-certified building in Iowa. For more information check out CERA's website.
• On April 28, 2006 the Building and Grounds Committee of the Grinnell College Board of Trustees approved the Environmentally Responsible Building Guidelines presented by Eli Zigas ('06). Zigas has worked with the administration and Facilities Management staff on numerous drafts of this policy for four years. The Grinnell College Environmentally Responsible Building Guidelineswill collectively provide the framework for all new major construction and major renovation of buildings on campus. Click here to view the guidelines.

Grinnell College Facilities Management
Grinnell College Campus Plan
Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA) Website
U.S. Green Building Council: LEED Certification