Residence Life Obtains Grants to Fund Facility Upgrades

This semester, the department of Residence Life Facilities and Operations was successful in obtaining several grants to fund upgrades to student housing.

The first award was for occupancy sensors for common areas in the residence halls. The grant was the City Utilities EnergyWise Grant which we received in July 2008. The amount was $22,340, which allowed us to put occupancy sensors in 121 common areas, including community and public restrooms, common study areas, multi-purpose rooms, computer labs, and laundry rooms. EPA estimates show that occupancy sensors can save up to 90 percent of a room's electricity usage. For the common rooms in which we will be installing the sensors, we hope to see an annual savings of $7,495.29 in energy bills, which will also reduce our carbon footprint.

The second award was a $77,409 Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant, which was received in September 2008 for the installation of Safe-T-Elements on stoves in campus apartments. The Safe-T-Element is a solid cover plate with a computer chip inside that is installed over burners to prevent them from reaching temperatures in excess of 662 degrees Fahrenheit. This upgrade is intended to help prevent cooking fires in campus housing facilities.

 

 

Submitted by Jennifer Cox