Operating hours will be established for buildings, and heating and cooling systems will be adjusted after hours and on weekends. Building comfort levels will be significantly affected in many buildings after hours and on weekends, possibly as much as 10 degrees. In some older campus buildings, it's impossible to achieve consistent temperatures throughout, which means that some occupants will be in areas that are warmer or cooler than average. If individuals readjust thermostats, or use their own heating or cooling devices, we won't save money. Energy savings well beyond those netted from thermostat adjustments are possible, if departments and individuals pull together to cut energy use by turning off lights, computers, printers, coffee pots and other equipment that are not in use, Madden said.
Researchers can help by turning off unneeded fume hoods, lasers and growth chambers.
Winter break shutdown proposed Officials also are considering a winter break shutdown from Dec. 22, at the conclusion of graduation, through Jan. 2. Employees would be paid for the three holidays that occur during this period. Officials expect to be able to offer faculty and staff a payroll program that would spread the pay reduction over several months rather than just over December and January. During this period, only essential services would continue. The library and other campus facilities would be closed.