Energy reduction encouraged

Students may not have the environment or any form of energy consumption on their minds during the holidays, but the campus initiative group, Ecological Decisions for a Global Environment, does.EDGE members argue students should make the environment a much higher priority than it usually is this winter.

Two EDGE members, Martha Hunter, a Chattanooga sophomore, and Thomas Dyke, a Memphis junior, said there are many ways students can save as much campus energy as possible during the break.

"In addition to making sure that your dorm lights and heat are off if you leave, be mindful of your energy consumption at home," Hunter said.

Students can drive less, use blankets instead of heat, make sure your house is well-insulated and turn off Christmas tree lights, Hunter said.

"Also, it might be a good idea to limit spending and think about what you really need this holiday season or next," Hunter said.

Dyke said, "My best advice is to unplug your appliances."

Mary Jean Broyles, assistant director of administration and operations for UTC housing, said almost three-quarters of UTC students stay on campus for at least some portion of the winter break.

Therefore, housing has no choice but to leave the heating and electricity on and keep all of the buildings up and running, she said.

"There's still so much activity," Broyles said. "I don't see the bills drop that significantly [during the break]."

However, Broyles encourages students staying on campus to keep their thermostats at about 60 degrees, turn out the lights when nobody is in the room and to try to limit use of the laundry room and kitchen appliances.

Students who are staying on campus during the break and want to reduce energy consumption are encouraged by EDGE to contact them to learn more tactics.

Broyles said the University staff is also aware of the University's efforts to reduce energy consumption during the break.

Staff are encouraged to turn off their office lights, space heaters and computers when they are not working, Broyles said.

The green fee set up recycling this semester and, according to EDGE, efforts to expand the program are underway to include more green initiatives and get more students recycling.