Sustainability and the Holiday Shutdown

You can help the University to reduce its environmental footprint during the holiday shutdown by turning off and unplugging your electricity-using devices.

The winter shutdown between Christmas and New Year's not only saves the University money, it also allows us to make a smaller footprint on the environment.

With buildings unoccupied, the heat can be turned down to a chilly 55 degrees. Combined with lights that are turned off, computers, refrigerators, copiers, and microwaves that are unplugged, we use far less energy during the break.

Not only did that save the University more than $100,000 last year, but it also meant that we required less fuel. That meant less oil that had to be transported from other countries, less coal extracted from the earth, and less carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere.

There are many ways that you can help the University to reduce its environmental footprint during the holiday shutdown. Facilities and the President’s Commission on Sustainability remind everyone to:

- unplug portable heaters

- unplug coffee makers and microwaves (since certain models consume energy even when not running)

- turn off lights and desk lamps

- close and lock any operable windows

- open all window shades, especially at south-facing windows to capture as much solar energy as possible

- unplug printers and scanners

- unplug computers (unless you need access to your computer remotely)

- unplug and defrost personal refrigerators if possible

In addition, if you have plants that are sensitive to lower temperatures, you should take them home for the holidays.

Thank you to each and every member of the University community who participates in the shutdown and contributes to saving money and leaving a smaller footprint on the environment.