TAMIU Initiates Campus Conservation Experiment

There’s an experiment underway at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). And while there’s not a Bunsen burner involved, temperatures are indeed slightly raised.

TAMIU, following the encouragement of The Texas A&M University System, the Legislature and community at large, is hoping to conserve energy and realize cost savings at the University by slightly raising building temperatures this summer.

“We’re all being asked to conserve and concentrate our resources, and the University is no different,” said Dr. Ray Keck, TAMIU president.

“We’re very fortunate that as a relatively new campus, our facilities were constructed with conservation in mind.  This program leverages our capabilities to maximize our savings,” Dr. Keck said.

With the new effort, the University is raising its temperature slightly in the summer months and lowering them slightly in the colder months.

In addition to anticipated energy savings, University personnel are also seeing an additional advantage.

“So that we can all be comfortable with this slight temperature change, we are relaxing our use of coats and ties and encouraging short-sleeve shirts and lighter clothing,” Keck explained.

He noted the cost of electricity remains one of the University’s largest budget expenses. Other cost savings measures are in place and others are being explored.

“We have a campus energy conservation campaign, ‘Lights Out TAMIU,’ which encourages reduced use of lights.  Most of our buildings are also equipped with sensors which turn off lights in unused facilities. We have recycling efforts in place, a centralized irrigation system and solar panels that fuel some of our campus signage. All of these efforts can and should be expanded.

“Long-term, we are working closely with the Texas Engineering Experiment Station’s Energy Systems Laboratory on a sustainability assessment and roadmap for a green campus initiative. We’ve also formed a ‘Green Team’ that includes administration, faculty, and student representation,” Keck added.

For more information, contact the University’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268; e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or click on tamiu.edu

University summer office hours are from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. – noon on Fridays.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu