unPLUg
Do your part in the year-long unPLUg competition. PLU buys their energy from parkland Light and Water, a co-op that distributes power from BPA. The majority of electricity is generated from hydropower, a renewable resource by definition, but still extremely damaging to water ecosystems. In addition, with the growth that the state of Washington is experiencing, utilities are expecting to need to increase transmission lines within 20 years, another energy intensive, expensive and environmentally degrading practice. You can help by limiting your power usage to only what you need. About 56% of all the energy produced in the United States is WASTED, due to a combination of waste that occurs during energy production, but also inefficient technology and design. (http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/04/06/weekinreview/06revkin.html) So your savings are actually more than what is on the bill.
This energy reduction competition will run the entire academic year through a bracket system. Residence Halls will be paired up in bracket 2 from January 28th to February 28th.
- Pflueger vs. Hong
- Tinglestad vs. Ordal
The possibilities for cutting out this waste are limitless. One HUGE example is the phantom load being generating by anything that plugs into an outlet. Simply unplugging, or switching off a powerstrip controls this. Let others know how you are reducing energy on the PLU Sustainability Blog.
At the end of the 1rst bracket, the energy utility bill will be translated into kWh usage per student, and compared against that same number from the previous year. The largest percent decrease per pair will advance to the next bracket. Winners will be announced in mid-November after the utility bill has been received. Those winners will then each receive a smartstrip to help them in round two.
The second bracket will take place the month of February. Again, utilities will be judged against the previous year. Winners this time will receive an individual prize. Those final two resident halls will then compete once more in the month of April for the grand prize. The grand prize will be awarded in May.
Donate!
There are many great projects underway at PLU, but many more need to happen to reach our goal of carbon nuetrality by 2020. Donating to a sustainability project is different than most other causes because you money will continue to give long after it has been spent. The savings from avoiding natural gas will never diminish, only add to future PLU programs. If you receive a paycheck from PLU, it is simple to donate through the Payroll Deduction Form.
Currently any money collected will go towards insulating resident halls to prevent the combustion of natural gas. However, if you would like to support another project such as the bike co-op, Sustainable Housing or Habitat Restoration, please feel free to call 253-538-6060.
Fellowships
Purpose
The Student Sustainability Fellowships are intended to provide an opportunity for students of any discipline to participate in furthering the sustainability efforts on the PLU campus. Students will actively engage in research about existing practices and uses of resources on the PLU campus and examine best practices on other college and university campuses and other facilities in the local area. They will also investigate and propose strategies and solutions to address sustainability practices on the PLU campus and help identify funding agencies or opportunities for the projects. The fellowships are also intended to continue the collaboration between students, faculty and staff around issues of sustainability while building the skills of the students. Example final research reports from past fellows are available upon request.Objectives for Students
- To pursue new knowledge in the area of sustainability with the focused, sustained support of faculty and staff mentors
- To learn the issues, approaches, and techniques of a particular field
- To develop written communication and collaboration skills
- To lay the foundation for future professional development
- To increase the sustainability practices on the PLU campus
- To increase the collaboration between students, faculty, and staff
Objectives for Faculty
- To bring academic rigor to the decision-making process of sustainable practices at PLU
- To increase the sustainability practices on the PLU campus
- To increase the collaboration between faculty, staff and students
- To develop, maintain, and expand active research programs that involve undergraduates
Objectives for Administrative Staff
- To bring knowledge of and experience with the management and operations of the PLU campus
- To increase the sustainability practices on the PLU campus
- To increase the collaboration between staff, faculty and students
Student Groups
PLU's students are highly involved in PLU's journey to sustainability. It shows through the many green efforts in student organizations.