The pegasus on the Student Union floor was outlined with plastic bottles.
The pegasus on the Student Union floor was outlined with plastic bottles.

Black, Gold & Green is a continuing effort to bring sustainability to UCF through a campaign of “Awareness, Availability and Action.” Beginning on February 1, the program was a new fixture in the Student Union to continue to be a leader in sustainability on campus and throughout the state.

The  goals of the program are:

  • Awareness: educate all members of the UCF community about how easy it is to go green.
  • Availability: assure green alternatives are available to the UCF community, from recycling bins to alternative lighting sources to low-flow water fixtures.
  • Action: is centered around the continuing plan to bring new initiatives to the UCF community.

    • Leading up to the program, the Student Union has already taken on a number of sustainable initiatives, including:

  • The Student Union is the #1 recycler of cardboard on campus.
  • Installed of LED lights which will result in $10,000 per year in maintenance and electric savings.
  • Developed and implemented multi-use recycling bins.
  • Raised the temperature between two to four degrees to decrease the amount of energy used in the building.
  • Installed filtered water bottle refill stations to reduce plastic bottle waste and give students an alternative to bottled water.
  • Installed two prototype water-free urinals, with more on the horizon.
  • Partnered with the Department of Stormwater Management to allow a green roof to be installed on the building.

    • Adam Giery, the creator of the program, has a goal for Black, Gold & Green to become a campuswide initiative. Giery feels that, “In order for Black, Gold & Green to be successful, we must all work collectively to make UCF a truly sustainable university.”

    Everyone do your part by thinking and acting sustainable, as even the smallest contributions count. Be on the lookout for many more initiatives coming in the near future. For more information, contact Giery at: agiery@mail.ucf.edu.

    The Student Union is in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.

    Filtered water is stationed at all water fountains in the Student Union.
    Filtered water is stationed at all water fountains in the Student Union.
    The set up was on display for two weeks in February.
    The set up was on display for two weeks in February.