In an effort to reduce spending and increase energy efficiency, Ball State University custodians have begun turning the lights off after they are finished with nightly cleaning.
Kevin Kenyon, associate vice president of facilities, planning and management, sent out a custodian report at the beginning of Winter Break which required that all lights be turned off after nightly shifts.
In light of impending budget cuts, Kenyon said he was looking for any way to save money.
On Jan. 8 Gov. Mitch Daniels proposed a 4 percent budget cut which will slice away $4.2 million from Ball State's $300 million budget.
"Money spent on energy is not going to classroom stuff," Kenyon said. "We need to focus on the academic mission of the university and less on other expenditures."
But Kenyon's concerns are more than monetary.
Ball State has been implementing strategic measures to reduce carbon emissions and become more energy efficient for years, Kenyon said.
Among the measures taken are the university's usage of hybrid electric shuttle buses, the installation of occupancy sensors in most of the academic buildings and the construction of all new buildings utilizing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.
Additionally, President Jo Ann Gora became a signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment which requires the university to implement an institutional action plan to become climate neutral.
Turning off the lights at night is just another step in Ball State's commitment to reducing carbon emissions, Kenyon said.
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