What we've been up to...

Sustainability House:
Konkow House #2 is a 14-person honors residence hall that serves as a model of energy-efficient technology, sustainable, green products and practices. The house has been retrofitted with energy-efficient lighting and kitchen appliances, along with sustainable office supplies, cleaning solutions and personal care products. Click on the Sustainability House tab for more information.

Shasta and Lassen Residence Hall Energy Competitions:
Green Campus installed real-time metering in two residence halls on campus, Shasta and Lassen. Every semester, Green Campus hosts energy reduction competitions with each hall. First-year students are educated on energy conservation practices, while participating to win prizes such as gift certificates, iPods, and pizza parties.

Vending Misers:
Green Campus, in collaboration with A.S. Food Services, has hired a third party to install sensors on the beverage vending machines on campus. The sensors will put the vending machines in sleep mode when not in use, which will save a lot of energy.

Sustainable Consultation Of Office Practices (SCOOP):
The sustainable consultation project aims to promote sustainable office practices through education and an initial audit. This project is now institutionalized into the university in collaboration with Net Impact, A.S. Sustainability, A.S. Recycling, and the Institute for Sustainable Development and has become its own organization! Green Campus lends interns to SCOOP to do the energy audit portion of many of the office audits.

Greeks Going Green:
Green Campus has been working with several sororities and fraternities to conduct sustainable consultations and get each house more involved in sustainability and environmental efforts. It is very important to not only make changes to the home regarding energy conservation and recycling, but also to educate people about the numerous ways they can incorporate sustainable living practices into their everyday lives.

Whitney Hall Energy Reduction Competition:
Much like the competition with Shasta and Lassen halls, our energy reduction competition with Whitney Hall will teach residents more about saving energy and test their skills in a month-long competition to see how much energy they can save. If the residents save 5% or more (when compared to a previous month) they will receive a party for their hard work.

Take the Stairs Day
Students and faculty on campus will be encouraged to take the stairs rather than the elevator for at least one day this semester. They will get candy if they do so and can be entered into our raffle for some great prizes! There are many benefits to taking the stairs, so of which include: saving energy, helping the environment and exercise!

CFL Exchanges:
Green Campus staff and interns have continually hosted many compact florescent light bulb exchanges on campus. Students receive a more energy and cost efficient CFL in exchange for their traditional light bulbs.

Power Management Software:
Chico Green Campus worked with computer lab managers to install PC power management software, EZ GPO. The software saves energy by shutting down computers when they are not in use. This campus-wide project has saved the university $296,000 annually on its energy bill.

Relay to a Brighter Future:
Green Campus held the Relay to a Brighter Future April 23, 2008 on the lawn between Lassen/Shasta halls. Captain Energy hosted the relay featuring energy conservation and sustainability related obstacles. Student participants had the opportunity to win $20 gift cards from: Pita Pit, Trucker, Powell's Sweet Shoppe, iTunes and Jon & Bons. This event also included a CFL exchange.

Open the Blinds, Turn Off the Lights Professor's Challenge:
Green Campus promoted behavioral changes in professors, encouraging them to turn off the lights and open the blinds in classrooms that permitted such practices. There were about 30 professors that participated in this event to raise awareness about small changes that we all can make involving energy use.

Green Cup Card:
To reduce the amount of waste that is generated and land filled in addition to reducing the energy required for the manufacturing and transportation processes, Green Campus has implemented an incentive to use reusable drink cups and containers on campus. When you use a reusable cup or container when purchasing a drink on campus at participating stores and cafes, you receive a stamp on your Green Cup Card, which is provided at most University Food Service locations. After receiving six stamps, you get a free soda or coffee.

Energy Star® Change a Light, Change the World:
Green Campus pledged to have 1000 people change at least one light in their home. We reached our goal in May 2007, with more than 1,000 pledges. We will now begin helping PG & E with its campaign to change even more lights bulbs.

Fun without Alcohol Fair:
Green Campus staff and interns shared their energy conservation spirit with elementary school students in the fair hosted by Chico State.