Moraine Valley Community College’s Southwest Education Center (SWEC) in Tinley Park recently received platinum certification, the highest ranking possible, by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
The college earned the necessary credit in all the LEED rating sections to become platinum. The rating system is based on the design, construction and operation of a building that reaches a high level of “green” performance. Moraine Valley was aiming for gold certification, but hoping for platinum, said Stephenie Presseller, sustainability manager. SWEC is the first LEED platinum building in Tinley Park and the second one among Illinois community colleges. SWEC is located at 17900 S. 94th Ave.
SWEC was open for classes in fall 2010 with several “green” characteristics including a geothermal system, which uses heat stored in the earth to regulate temperatures in the building; bioswales in the parking lot to lessen water runoff; the extensive use of daylight, which reduces the need for artificial light; low-flow plumbing fixtures; and a green roof that reduces heat when it’s warm outside and lessens cold in cooler months.
There were a few elements that helped push Moraine Valley into platinum status, said Andy Duren, executive vice president of Administrative Services. Those items included purchasing renewable energy; developing an online survey asking SWEC employees various questions about their comfort level in the building; submetering the domestic hot water to make sure it’s not overheated; and undersizing the parking lot to encourage alternative transportation.
“While there are additional costs for ‘green’ elements, over the life of the building, the energy savings and improved learning environment for our students will pay it back over and over again,” Duren said. “This rating is important because a big part of the college’s responsibility is to lead by example, and this is a learning environment for our students and community. We’re delighted we could make this work. We’re also very excited and grateful for all the assistance that Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki and Tinley Park officials have given us to get our center a platinum standing.”
In moving toward this status, Moraine Valley continued to improve the building and posted updates on the U.S. Green Building Council’s website over the past two years. Duren said this is the way construction is headed, using recycled resources with concern for energy usage in these types of buildings.

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For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley public relations generalist, at (708) 974-5742 or VizzaM@morainevalley.edu.