Posted: January, 28, 2009

1. Employee-paid parking
2. Close Christmas - New Year's
3. Empty own trash
4. Utilize construction majors
5. Lower heat in U. Hall
6. Reduce excess lighting
7. Lower hot-water temperature
8. Volunteers to maintain gardens
9. Retirement counseling by retirees
   
   
   1. The suggestion was made to have faculty and staff pay for their own parking passes.
      
      This idea is being forwarded to the Parking Committee, which is considering a revised fee schedule for all students, faculty and staff. The idea of having BGSU faculty and staff pay for their own parking on a sliding scale or in full must be addressed thoughtfully since this benefit has existed for a number of years. Our practice with benefit changes is to discuss the pros and cons with the constituent groups.
      
      
   2. A writer proposed that we close the University between Christmas and New Year's Day and lower the temperatures in the buildings to 50º during the closure. Further, it would be the employees' responsibility to plan for the closure. They would take whatever time they had available, including leave without pay if necessary.
      
      The idea has merit. During break periods, significant efforts are made to minimize the use of energy on campus, which have resulted in savings of over $150,000 for the typical period. However, these energy conservation efforts cannot be made at the expense of ongoing research and scholarship. In addition, building temperatures must be maintained at levels sufficient to protect building systems. BGSU will be investing in energy control system starting next fiscal year that will further enhance our ability to reduce energy consumption.
      
      
   3. A writer suggested we could reduce the number of people needed to clean campus buildings by asking faculty and staff to empty their own trash every day into a designated bin on their floor.
      
      The idea of having centralized trash removal in the buildings has been forwarded to the custodial services department. To lower costs, Custodial Services has considered less frequent vacuuming and trash removal, but it is important to maintain service levels in support of our recruitment and retention efforts. One of the department’s most cost-effective strategies has been to hire student employees to work with our classified staff. This has lowered our overall cost while allowing the department to maintain service frequency.
      
      
   4. A writer recommended we allow the construction management program to complete small construction jobs on campus as both a cost-savings venture and to provide practical experience for the students majoring in this area.
      
      This idea is being passed on to the construction management chair. There may be “extra credit potential” at a minimum for these students.
      
      
   5. A writer suggested turning off half the heat in University Hall, which is typically too warm.
      
      The idea has been passed on to appropriate departments to help them with their evaluation of the issue. University Hall has an old direct-steam system, which is very effective at heating up buildings up but very slow to react to changing ambient temperatures. University, Moseley and Hanna halls are going to be renovated in the next few years.
      
      
   6. A writer proposed eliminating or disconnecting all excessive lighting in hallways, rest rooms, offices and classrooms, and that we strongly encourage shutting off lights when leaving a room when it will then be unoccupied.
      
      BGSU has made progress on both fronts. Plans are under way to continue the installation of sensor lighting this summer to improve energy efficiency, and the University now has an interim sustainability coordinator, Nick Hennessy. The plans for the new Wolfe Center for the Arts and the Stroh Center call for utilizing ambient lighting where possible.
      
      
   7. It was suggested that we lower the temperature of all hot water across campus by a degree or two and install motion-detector lighting.
      
      University staff have been working on these strategies. The installation of instantaneous hot water heaters in buildings that use a large volume of hot water has greatly increased the energy efficiencies of these buildings and the University began retrofitting buildings with occupancy sensors last year and will expand the effort to several buildings this summer.
      
      
   8. The proposal was made that we encourage University employees to volunteer their talents and skills maintaining the flower gardens outside their buildings, especially for memorial gardens.
      
      The grounds staff works with the Graduate College and Environmental Programs students and faculty to help with establishing and maintaining of gardens. Staff interested in establishing a garden should contact the Grounds Department.
      
      
   9. One writer proposed that BGSU retirees should have opportunities to volunteer on campus.
      
      Individuals interested in giving back may contact the BGSU Retirees Association at 419-372-9696, retirees@bgsu.edu or www.bgsu.edu/offices/ohr/BGSU-Retirees.

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