The Bender Parking Garage will feature a vertical axis wind turbine with the ability to provide energy for the Tavern, thanks to the recently announced senior class gift.
This first of its kind gift was created from a design by adjunct AU professor Terry Sankar, according to Senior Class President Amanda Krause.
The turbine was unveiled Jan. 21 in front of AU students at Ireland’s Four Fields in Cleveland Park. The event raised just over $60 in donations toward the goal of $22,000.
The other seriously considered option was installing a green roof on MGC.
“The main reason we went with the turbine was because we decided as a council that it is more unique to us,” Krause said. “We knew that the University wanted to implement the green roof anyway. It would make a bigger difference if we could get this project moving.”
The wind turbine is largely funded by the Office of Sustainability, according to Andrew Toczydlowski, the coordinator of governance and leadership for Student Activities.
The turbine will be built whether or not the Class of 2011 fundraises the $22,000, Toczydlowski said. If additional funds are needed to close the gap, they will be taken from the Office of Sustainability’s budget.
-KATE FROEHLICH
