GREENING UCSB: DEVELOPMENT OF AN ASSESSMENT ...

and enhancing [the campus’s] unique environment, architecture and open space,”(Campus Planning, 2000c).2.6. Development PressuresSince opening its doors in 1956, enrollment at UCSB has increased from 2,500 tomore than 20,000 students. While the number of students has remained relativelyconstant for the past several years, increasing population in California is expected toput severe pressures on the entire UC system. Campus growth has been capped at thecurrent level due to the sensitivity of the campus site. In order for UCSB to meet theneeds of both undergraduate and graduate students and to achieve its academic goals,the number of faculty and staff will also have to increase. Thus, additional buildingspace is needed for housing, offices and research facilities.In addition to the demands for more space, the University also faces demands forhigher quality facilities. Advances in technologies and expansion in researchactivities necessitate the development of laboratories that are more sophisticatedalong with other resources. In addition, many of the existing facilities are in need ofupgrades and repairs.Some of the departments that are growing most quickly are also the departments thatput the most strain on the environment. In particular, the engineering department is inthe process of planning two new buildings, an Engineering Sciences building and aNano-Sciences building. The new Engineering II building, which was completed in1996, currently accounts for almost 12% of total campus energy use. The addition ofthese two new buildings, along with several other buildings that are currently beingplanned, will dramatically increase the environmental impact of the campus in allcategories.10