This past semester the Office of Energy Management (OEM), directed by Ron Kelley, kicked off an energy conservation effort in the residence halls. The goal of this effort is to reduce the amount of energy used so that money saved in energy bills can be put back into the residence halls, improving things like lighting, insulation, and water pumps. The staff of OEM has put a considerable amount of effort into this project to offset budget cuts. It is hoped that by informing the campus community of utility costs and raising awareness on ways to reduce energy consumption, Illinois State University can recoup some of the funds that have been averted due to the state’s financial crisis.
For example, during the 2001–2002 school year, Illinois State University paid out over 9 million dollars in utility bills. This includes: $5,600,912 in electric, $2,983,842 in natural gas, and $1,032,411 in water. The costs of running the campus are very high, so students, faculty, and staff need to understand how important this program is to improving the operating efficiency of Illinois State University.
This past March was Energy Awareness Month in the residence halls. Those involved in the project are: Ron Kelley (OEM-Director), Shelia Taylor (OEM-Utility Accounts Manager), Kristin Symmonds (OEM-Intern), Tom Laue (OEM-Student Worker), and Laura Siedleman (ARH). This team put together facts and figures alerting the students, faculty, and staff to the cost of doing business. For example, it costs, on average, about $27,000 per day to provide all of the energy and other utility needs of the campus.
OEM also used Earth Day as an opportunity to increase campus awareness. A table with energy-usage demonstrations was sponsored on the quad. They also handed out fluorescent light bulbs to students living in the residence halls. The staff hopes this made a lasting impression.
The Office of Energy Management hopes to achieve not only an on-campus awareness of energy consumption, but to create a mindset that students, faculty, and staff will take home with them.