Engineering Applauds Students’ Energy Conservation Efforts
February 9, 2010
LSU's College of Engineering has teamed up with UNPLUG, the on-campus competition promoting energy efficiency in student housing. Beginning February 22, residents living on campus will work to conserve energy by taking shorter showers, remembering to turn their lights out, and unplugging electronics when not in use. The housing unit who lowers their electricity bill the most wins the competition.
One of the key strategic areas of concentration in the College of Engineering is energy. The college has numerous laboratories, including the sustainability lab and pollution lab, which help students better understand the importance of energy and careful consumption and usage.
"Energy is a key initiative for the College of Engineering, and we are excited to recognize the energy-saving efforts of this student-driven competition," said Dr. Rick Koubek, Dean of the College of Engineering. "We are committed to transforming lives through research and education in the area of environmental sustainability, and the UNPLUG project is an ideal mechanism to engage students in energy conservation."
"Currently LSU is home to one of 46 new multi-million-dollar Energy Frontier Research Centers, or EFRCs, to pursue advanced scientific research on energy," said Koubek. "Titled "Computational Catalysis and Atomic-Level Synthesis of Materials: Building Effective Catalysts from First Principles," this center will provide research for designing new materials, with the goal of developing catalysts for the production of clean energy.
"Going green has become a popular trend and it's good for the environment. It's cool to see LSU students doing their part in saving the planet," said first year student, Millie Elder, "I'm really excited about the contest. Now, I just have to remember to turn the lights out when I leave my dorm room."
Students can pledge to their commitment online, making it convenient to support the cause, with an initial goal of 1000 pledges.
Last year, 19 on-campus residences participated in the contest and saved the University thousands of dollars by simply unplugging. The Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO), Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Freshmen Leadership Council took weekly meter readings to track the progress of the contest. East Campus Apartments Residents won the 2009 UNPLUG competition and were awarded Kodak 1G flash drives. The residents reduced their energy consumption by 35 percent saving LSU approximately $13,763. The Horseshoe community placed second by reducing their energy consumption by 29 percent. The Blake- McVoy community and Herget Residential College tied for third place by reducing their consumption by 21 percent.
This year the competition has expanded to include Greek housing. Weekly results will appear on Channel 74 and the Residential Life website throughout the month of the competition.
UNPLUG: Kick Off Events will be held on Monday, February 22 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the 459 Commons and The 5 dining halls.
Go to www.lsu.edu/housing to pledge your support to the cause.
Get ready to Unplug campus residents - saving dollars and our planet has never been more fun!
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Article by Crystal Jackson for the College of Engineering, 225-578-5706, mlavall@lsu.edu
