Please note that suggestions are being solicited to involve the campus community in the budget process to the greatest extent possible, and that proposed suggestions for cost-saving measures are being posted in the interest of promoting a free exchange of ideas. To that end, all suggestions received through the Budget Website except those that are malicious or contain information known to be untrue or misleading will be posted. The posting of these ideas, however, does not constitute their endorsement. 

As of March 30, 2009

Is it possible to turn off the Jumbo Tron at Kinnick?? 
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Everynight at the current Studio Arts building (Old Menards), the Menards sign is lit up at the corner of the enterance.  During the day it appears white, but with the light on, it clearly displays Menards.  If the university is footing the bill for the energy consumption out at this location, I'm not quite sure why it is paying to light up a sign for Menards every night.  I'm sure it doesn't cost a whole lot, but at the same time I know that a lot of little expenses add up to a lot of money.  It would probably be an easy fix to shut the timer off or disconnect this sign unless of course Menards is paying for night-time advertisement.
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Turn off the heat or dial back the thermostat at UIHC Old Capitol Center by March 20th of each year. The space holds more than 300 energy-consuming fax machines, printers, computers that throw off lots of heat. When the weather is mild and the heat continues to pour into the space, we are forced to rely on personal fans to cool off thereby using even more energy in an attempt to do our work. It is easier to put on a sweater than it is to get comfortable in an overheated space.  Surely something can be done. 
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The government of India has done studies (and so has NASA) that have found that having 3 kinds of plants inside a building can filter the air and improve air quality, saving 15% on building energy costs and boosting productivity by up to 20%. The air quality in Iowa is probably a lot better than India’s, so we probably use less energy to process a building’s air supply, but if we’re looking at ALL ways to save money, then this should be explored.
Video presentation of India’s study:
NASA’s study
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I suggest eliminating the Power Plant whistle. This whistle is VERY loud and disrupts the otherwise calm and peaceful University of Iowa atmosphere that we all enjoy.  I suggest saving the money it takes to run the whistle and do away with this tradition.
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For help in reducing utility costs/overhead expenses, engage different parts of our University in competition with rewards to those who reduce, for example, energy consumption by the greatest percentage or reduce travel expenses by the greatest percentage.
We could have the dorms each competing against each other.  Could have different academic units competing against each other or occupants of UI buildings on campus.  Rewards could be monetary OR free tickets to UI events OR extra 4 hours of vacation time awarded to winners.  Make it fun.
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This has probably already been suggested, but turn off the Kinnick Stadium scoreboards during the off-season.  There is no reason to have flashing ads displayed on the boards if there are no eyeballs in the stadium to see them. On days when there might be activities in the stadium, then the boards could be turned on again.
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1 Turn off the flood lights, without exceptions, on any UI bldg, stadium, etc, with a façade that's lit up for the sake of, what? And especially on the Pentacrest's Capitol building and the UIHC General Hospital tower.  It's an inexcusable waste of money in these times and cannot be justified. Turning off every computer at night is pittance compared to the waste of electricity used by these flood lights.
2 Install motion-detection lighting systems everywhere.  Hall lighting in after-hours closed buildings should be cut in half if they have to remain on at all.
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I believe a great way to cut costs at the U of I is to go the solar route – instead of replacing old single-pane windows, place energy efficient solar screens over them.  They keep in the heat during winter and cut the heat from coming in during the summer, saving money on utilities, and also would render shades unnecessary for these windows (i.e., Solar Screens of Iowa).
Another important money saver that many others have suggested is telecommuting.   This is a win-win situation for the University and the employee!   There are entire areas that could simply work at home, with only a skeleton crew working at the University to maintain the work flow, etc. Centralized Transcription Service is a prime example of this:  With PcAnywhere software and high-speed DSL, this is something that can easily be done at home 100% of the time, or several days of the week.  The employee is more productive, there is a huge savings as only a small room would be required for the skeleton staff, parking opens up as the employees are at home, and sick time/vacation time takes a serious nosedive. 
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From the Facilities management Web site
http://energy.uiowa.edu/renewableenergy.htm
Hydroelectric capabilities: The Power Plant was built in the 1920s and enclosed an existing hydroelectric facility. The hydroelectric facility continued to generate power until the 1960s, when the unit was shut down and the equipment removed. However, the structural portion of this facility is still inside the Power Plant and would support installation of hydroelectric generation equipment. An initial study has confirmed that it would be possible to restore hydroelectric generation to the Power Plant. We would expect about 500-KW of renewable energy would be generated from a restored hydroelectric generator.
Could a corporate sponsor or some type fund raising program or arrangement provide some of the funding to re-install the hydroelectric generator?
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There are many large, flat roofs on campus buildings.  Would the use of solar panels for electricity and/or hot water make economical sense over the long run in this part of the country?  This probably requires a large initial expense and a slow return on the investment.  However, there may be federal funds available to help with the installation expense.
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Parking ramp 4, where employees park (near field house entrance) there are heat lamps and heated elevators, can we shut those off to conserve energy and cost?  I have been out there multiple times in the past month and I do not feel they are necessary.
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