Purdue's first green roof won't be last

PURDUE UNIVERSITY (WLFI) - Some of the recent rainfall will stay on top of a roof on Purdue's campus, thanks to a new type of covering.

Purdue's first green roof was unveiled on top of the Schleman Hall of Student Services on Tuesday. A variety of plants cover the top of the building.

The student-led Boiler Green Initiative proposed and designed the project, which was funded by a grant from State Farm.

Graduate Student Heather Gall said the green roof has a variety of benefits, including reducing stormwater run-off. 

"Some of the vegetation will actually retain the water within the soil, as well as evapotranspire it back up into the atmosphere, so not all the water that hits the roof will become stormwater runoff," Gall said.

Gall said the roof also moderates tempertures inside the building.

Purdue is considering green roofs on other buildings, including Mann Hall, the Ford Dining Hall, and Civil Engineering.