Turning off the lights on wasted energy

Spurred by the continuing rise of energy costs, Boston College officials have enacted a University initiative to conserve energy.

"The problem is not so much that energy use has gone up, but that electricity rates have. If students and faculty can make a greater effort to cut back on energy, the University would not only save money, but decrease environmental pollution as well," said facilities services director Mike Jednak.

BC's total utility costs in 2006 are expected to rise approximately 39 percent, as compared to 2005.

In response to these startling projections, Jednak said BC has already begun efforts to conserve electricity and increase campus awareness. During winter break, Residential Life worked in conjunction with his office to lower the heat in 70 percent of the residence halls.

The effort involved the relocation of several hundred students to other halls open and heated for the break. While most students found themselves in certain halls on Lower Campus, some were sent to St. Williams Hall on Brighton Campus and even hotel rooms around the area.

Susan Burton, associate director of Residential Life, described the campaign as both difficult and effective. "Moving all these students, many of them athletes or simply those involved in BC-sponsored extracurricular activities, was no easy task. The main result, however, was an effective consolidation of students, leading to decreased energy usage," she said. "This winter, we saw a good starting point for the conservation initiative. There are many measures, however, that we would still like to see put into effect this semester. The major impetus is now in the hands of the students."

The first of these measures is expected to begin this February and end in late March. The Better-Off campaign, sponsored by Ecopledge and the Environmental Action Coalition (EAC), is a conservation contest between the residence halls of Newton Campus. The dorm having most increased its energy savings from those of last year will win a prize, according to Phil Pietrangelo, A&S '09, member of Ecopledge.

"It's time for every student to understand the importance of this issue. Not only are we looking for successful way of conserving our University's energy, but we wish to engage students as well. The Better-Off contest should be an excellent way to grab students' attention and show them that every little thing makes a difference."

Aside from the contest, BC is set to participate in Recycle Mania, a national competition involving 91 college institutions. After placing 16th out of 44 last year, BC now faces the difficult task of improving this mark, said George Arey, assistant director of Residential Life.

"People don't realize the amazing amount of energy used each and every day. A single cell-phone charger can cost up to $4 a day to operate. The greatest influence we can hope our participation in Recycle Mania will achieve is to create awareness," he said.

With campaigns such as these in mind, students voiced their support for the University's new plans.

"With so many offices and organizations working collaboratively, BC really has an opportunity to make a change here. Conserving energy on such a large scale may seem unreasonable, but when everyone is working together, good results are not too much to ask for," said Kia Guarino, A&S '09.

Michael Ruscito, A&S '09, echoed this sentiment. "Saving energy may seem unimportant to some, but when you think about it, the money saved can be used elsewhere. It's not like it takes a tremendous effort to turn off the lights."