The next step down Baker’s path to a greener university could be a conservation policy that would restrict temperatures in every campus building and encourage lights out when a room is not in use.

Under the proposed Energy Conservation Policy, all campus buildings would have a 78 degrees cap during the warm season and a 68 degrees cap during the cold season. <br/>Students can e-mail feedback about the energy conservation policy to [email protected] before Sept. 1. If approved, the policy will take effect Oct. 1.Students can e-mail feedback about the energy conservation policy to [email protected] before Sept. 1. If approved, the policy will take effect Oct. 1.
Students can e-mail feedback about the energy conservation policy to [email protected] before Sept. 1. If approved, the policy will take effect Oct. 1.

The policy also proposes students and staff turn off electronic devices that are not in use.<br/>University President Pat Long said the policy could save the university more than $90,000 every year, which she said could potentially end up helping the university keep its goal of hiring the best staff available and offering quality facilities for students.University President Pat Long said the policy could save the university more than $90,000 every year, which she said could potentially end up helping the university keep its goal of hiring the best staff available and offering quality facilities for students.
University President Pat Long said the policy could save the university more than $90,000 every year, which she said could potentially end up helping the university keep its goal of hiring the best staff available and offering quality facilities for students.

Long said sitting in a classroom that is warmer in the summer and colder in the winter might cause some concern, but she expects the policy to be received with reasonable reservations.

"I really hope that it's not an inconvenience or that it's not too uncomfortable," Long said. <br/>Gary Walbridge, director of the physical plant, said it is hard to set a hard and fast rule. For example, while opening a window could spread cool air, it could also cause someone an allergy flare-up.Gary Walbridge, director of the physical plant, said it is hard to set a hard and fast rule. For example, while opening a window could spread cool air, it could also cause someone an allergy flare-up.
Gary Walbridge, director of the physical plant, said it is hard to set a hard and fast rule. For example, while opening a window could spread cool air, it could also cause someone an allergy flare-up.

“We’ve got 1,000 people on this campus and everybody’s different,” Walbridge said.

Walbridge said some individual buildings would get special treatment, such as Owens Musical Arts Building and Collins Library, both of which need to maintain a certain humidity level to properly store things like instruments and books.

Senior Justine Greve said she expects mostly positive feedback from students and staff.

“I think some students might complain about it, might not like the fact that they can’t have the air conditioner on as high as they want,” Greve said. “I think, overall, it will be well received.”

Long said some students have been concerned that they should have full control of the thermostat because of high tuition prices, which she said was understandable.

Her office has been set at the 78 degrees cap for the summer and although it took some getting used to, Long said it was still comfortable.

Long said none of the feedback has been negative toward the environmental savings. She feels students have a good environmental awareness.

“That’s really rewarding to think people are that concerned,” Long said.

Long said Walbridge was the one who initially brought about the proposal. The Baldwin City school district has already set a similar policy. This would be one of many steps Baker has taken recently to increase environmental awareness, including switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and increasing recycling.

“I’m looking at all the ways that we can be better stewards of the environment,” Long said.