The Refinishing Touch Blog

Labels: 2009, Calculate your Carbon footprint, College, Education, Energy Efficiency, energy efficient buildings, Green, green rating, New York Times, renewable power, The Princeton Review, university

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Education has always been an essential aspect of American culture and with the economy in the state that it is in, tuition fees are on the rise, but enrollment is as well. The university market is one of the biggest markets in which The Refinishing Touch operates, refurbishing older residence halls and common areas, such as the work we have done for Georgetown University.


Sustainability, economic factors, and the environment are all at the top of the Dean's List when considering construction and building maintenance. Cost-benefit analysts should consider all the factors of university, when making sustainable and educated decisions about residence halls. Students with good grades and academic achievements will choose the university that will give them the ultimate campus experience so school officials know that residence halls should be kept up to par, utilizing the school budget.

While reading the June issue of the American School and University Magazine, a residence hall report caught my eye. This publication states that the average cost per resident of 2007 resident halls in colleges is approximately $58,252. This price includes new furniture, construction, and all the amenities. From TRT's perspective, reducing the cost per student could greatly influence education in America.

By maintaining old residence halls, the look, feel, and impression could be better targeted at education. Some solutions would be to use the funding to reduce the cost of books or reduce class size, rather than splurging on furniture.

Labels: university

The Refinishing Touch is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) a non-profit group working to "transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, enabling environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life."


According to the USGBC's recent newsletter, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was signed into law in December of this past year, is making way for the "green" movement in both government and education sectors.

Department of Education facilities and High-Performance Federal Buildings have been driven to take a green approach and re-consider "life-cycle costing issues". Rather than a 25-year life cycle, these government assets in questions (i.e. furniture) must now be considered to have a 40-year life cycle.

The Congressional Research Service also states that the Small Business Administration has been authority to make "express loans for certain energy efficiency projects." This is good news for small business owners and The Refinishing Touch, considering our expertise. Being green is the way to go. Pre-planning, with government incentives can lead to rich and emerald future.

For more information, read further details on the Energy Independence and Security Act (PDF warning)

Labels: government, Green, university

The Refinishing Touch's Green Team just returned from the Association of College & University Housing Officers - International (ACUHO-I) annual conference, which was held at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The conference is held every year for University Housing Officers to make decisions about purchasing for college housing facilities- a perfect opportunity for The Refinishing Touch. The drive down to Orlando was an eventful journey, with Mickey Mouse dreams and the hot Florida sun awaiting The Refinishing Touch staff and when TRT staff arrived, tourism was is full force.

Registration at ACUHO-I was effortless and the booth set up was even simpler. The vendors and ACUHO-I staff were all working together to make the show the best it could be. The Refinishing Touch has been an exhibitor of the ACUHO-I Trade Show for almost a quarter of a century. There were varieties of attendees from all over the world, even from a few Australian universities. Helpful volunteers and smiles from Disney definitely made the show one of good spirits.

Exhibitors ranged from MTV-U to dormitory furniture suppliers and the exhibits and giveaways were colorful and eye-catching. Even though Mickey Mouse was right down the street, everyone stayed focused as business transactions were taking place over golf outings and dinners with clients.

Overall, the show was a positive experience. Next year, the ACUHO-I show will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland. We hope that it will be just as rewarding and worthwhile as the 2008 Spring Conference.

For more information, visit the ACUHO-I website.

Labels: university