Office of the Assemblies

Dear Varun,

Thank you for conveying to me Resolution 14: Increasing the Minimum LEED Certification.

As you may know, in December, the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board issued a Negative Declaration after finding that the North Campus Residential Expansion (NCRE) will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. As a result, no Environmental Impact Statement is required.

In accordance with Cornell’s energy goals for 2035, the NCRE buildings are designed to adapt as more efficient energy systems are ready to be implemented on campus, such as enhanced geothermal energy, biofuels, or a greener grid. 

As part of Cornell’s Climate Action Plan, the university looks at ways to avoid and reduce energy use and to replace our energy supply with renewables. Making strategic decisions about energy efficiency and renewable energy allows Cornell to truly reduce its carbon footprint. With regard to increasing the minimum LEED certification, it is important to note that LEED is a third-party system, and there are many factors that the U.S. Green Building Council weighs in order to make a determination on the level of certification. While many builders aspire to achieve higher levels, LEED Platinum is not possible to attain for all buildings.

I appreciate the Student Assembly’s concern for the environment and assure you that Cornell has an ongoing commitment to campus sustainability.

Sincerely,

Martha E. Pollack

President, Cornell University

300 Day Hall

Ithaca, NY 14853

(607) 255-5201

www.cornell.ed