Transylvania University’s commitment to sustainability saves energy and over $60 thousand during winter break
LEXINGTON, Ky.—For the second year in a row, Transylvania tallied significant energy savings during the university’s winter break by implementing a campus-wide shutdown plan. While students, faculty, and the majority of the university’s staff enjoyed a two-week holiday break (December 20, 2012 – January 2, 2013), physical plant staff and others took steps to ensure energy consumption during that time was minimal. Conscientious preparation by all members of the campus community resulted in energy savings of $61,125, which was $4,886 more than the university saved during last winter’s shut down. “By adopting and adhering to a well-orchestrated holiday shutdown plan, we were able to reduce energy consumption in all campus buildings,” said Marc Mathews, vice president for finance and business. “This not only helps us meet our conservation and sustainability goals, it also allows us to redirect those funds to academic and extracurricular programs that directly benefit our students.” Living sustainably is a primary value of the university, which integrates discussion of sustainable practices into academic coursework, visiting lectures, and planning for campus social activities. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to consider the impact of their everyday decisions and adopt sustainable practices whenever possible. In addition to establishing the winter break shut down, Transylvania University’s energy policy also sets temperature ranges and operating hours for university-owned buildings, affirms the university’s commitment to purchasing Energy Star equipment, pledges that all new buildings will be constructed to-at minimum-a LEED silver standard,