College Embarks on Electrical Energy Reduction Effort
In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing the term “C3E” used around campus. What does it mean? It’s an abbreviation for “Canisius College Conserves Energy.” Thanks to a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), a campus-wide conservation effort is underway at Canisius.  Gary Lew, senior facilities operations manager, is the on-campus contact for the C3E program.  All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate.

The C3E program consists of two main efforts: technical changes and awareness.  Ecology and Environment, Inc., (E & E) has conducted technical energy-usage reviews/inventories of several college buildings.   Facilities Management personnel will be working with these findings to determine what and when changes will be made.  Changes you may notice implemented under C3E include changes in light bulb types, installation of room occupancy sensors, and decreases in the amount of light bulbs in some fixtures.  In addition, light fixtures in areas significantly illuminated by natural light during much of the day soon may be equipped with photo-sensing switches that turn off the artificial lighting when natural lighting is sufficient.  

Adjusting the type and amount of bulbs used in college light fixtures, as well as the installation of photo-sensing switches to turn lights on and off are two ways the C3E project will help conserve electrical energy.

C3E's awareness component consists of raising the awareness level of faculty, students and campus operations staff members concerning energy use posed by their respective on-campus activities.  E&E has been holding brief seminars on campus for students, faculty and staff to introduce everyone to the program. There will also be a Web page on-line in late April that will provide relevant information concerning program goals, energy-saving tips and schedules for upcoming seminars. Watch the NetGazette for details.

In addition to the array of technical changes, E & E has made specific operational recommendations as to how the college can further reduce its energy usage -- simple, easy steps that anyone can, and should, do.  For example:

• On your computer monitor, disable the screen saver mode; use sleep mode instead.  (Call the Help Desk at Ext. 2299 if you require assistance with this.)
• Turn off electrical devices when not in use, such as monitors, computers, room lights, office lights and overhead projectors.

These simple steps can reduce the college’s energy requirements by tens of thousands of dollars annually.   The savings translate to less demand for power generation, which will help preserve the environmental quality of Western New York.  More details on the environmental benefits of energy use reduction will be presented in an upcoming article in the NetGazette. 

Bene Merenti Celebration Set for April 2
Canisius will honor faculty, administration and staff who have reached 20 or more years of service and those who will be retiring this year on Friday, April 2 at 2:30 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center.   Everyone is welcome to attend.

AJCU Connections Now Available Free of Charge
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) is now offering its on-line newsletter, Connections, free of charge to all faculty and staff at AJCU institutions.  In addition, you will no longer need a password to access each issue. 

Connections is published monthly and will be available through the remainder of the academic year (May).  The theme for the February issue is “Future Prospects for a Jesuit Education.”  To read the February issue, click here.

The next NetGazette will be on-line Wednesday, March 24.