Residence hall in Massachusetts gets LEED gold

Marsh Hall, a residence hall that opened at Salem State University in Salem, Mass., in 2010, has received LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The university says the sustainable design elements in the facility include solar panels on green roofs covered in vegetation; 10,000 square feet of bamboo throughout the building; water-saving toilets; significant use of recycled materials, energy-saving mechanical systems, and a vegetated swale water-reclamation system. Salem State President Patricia Maguire Meservey says the LEED certification "is a testament to the university's strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, a commitment strongly endorsed by our student population.”