Hancock's Green Buildings
Many of ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥'s buildings on the Santa Maria Campus and Public Safety Training Complex have received LEED certification - the most widely used green building rating system in the world. These include Building A (Student Services), Building B (Administration), Building I (Childrens Center), and all of the buildings at the Public Safety Training Complex. The new Fine Arts Building will also be a LEED Gold Certified building. This means that these buildings:
- Reduce contribution to global climate change
- Enhance individual human health
- Protect and restore water resources
- Protect and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Promote sustainable and regenerative material cycles
- Enhance community quality of life
LEED certification means healthier, more productive places for us to learn and work, as well as less stress on the environment, by encouraging energy- and resource-efficient buildings. LEED certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people. They are a critical part of addressing climate change and meeting ESG goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities.
To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality. Projects go through a verification and review process by GBCI and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification.
A goal of ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ Facilities and the Sustainability Committee is to continue the trend of making ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ Buildings Leed certified "green buildings" creating a healthier and more sustainable learning and working environment.