The University recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from the local Rockfall Foundation for its Fauver Residences and two senior prototype houses. The Fauver residences were recognized as the first buildings on campus to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, and both projects were awarded for being environmentally friendly.

The Rockfall Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization founded in 1935. Located at 27 Washington Street in the historic deKoven House, the goals in the foundation mission statement include holding and managing open-space property and supporting environmental projects, awards, grants, and educational programs.

“Rockfall and Wesleyan have a long history going back to 1941,” said Virginia Rollefson, executive director of the foundation. “Since then, every president of Wesleyan has been a member of the Rockfall Foundation.”

In addition to President Douglas Bennet, the foundation has the significant involvement of University staff and administrative members. Director of Publications Bill Holder is on the Rockfall executive committee; Director of University Investments Tom Cannon is treasurer for the Rockfall board; Professor of German Studies Emeritus Peter Frenzel is also a member of the Rockfall board; and Associate Professor of Romance Languages Andrew Curran is a member of the Rockfall Symposium Committee.

“We try to bring a lot of Wesleyan people into the Rockfall Foundation,” Rollefson said. “We’ve funded Wesleyan student internships. Most recently we gave a grant for an internship at Long Lane Farm. We’ve also helped to fund geological

studies done [in the area] by Wesleyan.”

According to Rollefson, a committee chosen from various Rockfall foundation members searched the area for development projects that balanced preservation, conservation, and development, the themes of the annual Rockfall symposium. The towns of Haddam and Westbrook also received awards for a streetscape project and newly developed subdivision strategy.

“I guess it’s a step in the right direction,” said EON member Jacob Mirsky ’08. “I mean, it’s all bureaucratic, especially if Bennet’s on the board.”

According to the Middletown Press, the Rockfall foundation specifically praised the Fauver Residence Halls for attaining LEED certification, which involves site protection and restoration, energy efficiency, water conservation, efficient use of low impact materials, and comfortable, healthful interiors.

“Because the project is LEED-certified, it’s the style of construction and the materials used [that] are in harmony with the environment,” Rollefson said.

Rollefson praised the balance of the Fauver buildings and open space on campus, citing new planting and tree preservation.

“The campus is really very green, and the balance between its built part and its open part is appealing,” she said. “I think that our objective is to reward good projects, [not] to look for the problems. We encourage the good stuff.”