Masonry Magazine October 2009 Page. 35
The NSC would like to thank those of you who have invested the time to express your thoughts and concerns in a constructive manner. It has been helpful and has led to the conclusion that a natural industry unified around common goals is worthwhile, that building a brand preference for stone versus other materials is desirable and that a focus on positioning stone within the green building arena is an imperative. There may be differences of opinion on how to accomplish these things, but the primary initiatives undertaken by the NSC are valued by most industry members.
Funding, on the other hand, has been a contentious issue and has resulted in significantly reducing activity on these other initiatives as well. Throughout the year, the NSC board has reduced spending several times and cut back activity in order to stretch dollars while seeking a permanent funding solution. Based on industry feedback, the NSC fundraising committee has been expanded to include additional stakeholders, many of whom have expressed strong opinions about the check-off solution being pursued by the NSC. This expanded committee, including 15 members in total, has been charged with further investigating funding alternatives (including check-off) and coming to the NSC annual meeting at StonExpo in October with several alternatives and a recommendation for board consideration. Look for additional communications to be distributed after the NSC board meeting at StonExpo this fall. Also, if you plan to attend StonExpo this year, join the NSC for a discussion of the NSC and the future of these initiatives on Thursday, Oct. 22, from noon until 12:30 p.m. in the Ston Exchange presentation area on the show floor. IMAS
If you would like to know more about this or other activities the NSC has undertaken on behalf of the stone industry, please visit www.genuinestone.org, or call 800-210-3916.
Craftsbury Common, Vt.-based Sterling College recently set out to design its first new student residency in more than 40 years. The planning started in the classroom with a special-topics course, Green Dorms, taught by Sterling faculty and a Stowe, Vt., architectural planner, and funded by a $65,000 grant.
That course ended this past May with the site work determined and three design schemes created by three teams of students.
Now, with a recent Vermont state grant of $350,000 and the remaining $55,000 Canaday Family Trust grant, in addition to other funds, which include some matching money from a Department of Energy grant, a Sterling community building committee will begin working with the Cushman Design Group of Stowe to complete detailed plans and begin construction in March 2010.
The 100-student college is determined that their completed residency will be environmentally on par with but considerably less expensive than other recent green building efforts at New England colleges and universities.
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