Are you down with Powering Down for the Planet?

The average desktop computer wastes nearly half the power delivered to it, which translates into higher energy bills and unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions.

On Monday, March 23, The University of Iowa and college campuses across the world will ask students, faculty, and staff to pledge to “Power Down for the Planet” by making simple changes to their personal computers’ power management settings. Managers of UI campus computers that sit idle at night are making a similar commitment.

News in brief

University evaluates replacement for flood-damaged building complexes

The University of Iowa last week presented the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, with its analysis of the costs to replace two major building complexes damaged in the flood of 2008. The analysis examines the costs of replacing the Art Building East complex and the Hancher/Voxman/Clapp complex. No site recommendations for new buildings were made at the meeting, but that issue remains under active consideration.

Photo feature: Your laundry day is nothing compared to this

Take a look at this mean cleaning machine! In what appears to be a perpetual spin cycle, University of Iowa Laundry Service staff move soiled laundry in one door and cleaned, pressed, folded, and packaged laundry product out another.

See the photos...

Profile

Aggie Rochwick

Aggie Roch-
wick’s first job was picking cotton in Arkansas, where she grew up. Her second job was in University of Iowa Laundry Services, where she has worked on and off for 41 years. It’s a job she calls fast-paced and satisfying—and a breeze compared to working in the cotton fields. Rochwick has handled millions of pounds of the textiles over the years. She’s also performed every production task in the plant and trained countless new employees. Rochwick recently sat down with fyi to talk about her devotion to the job, Laundry Services’ team-centered approach, and her passion for all things John Wayne.

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"Part of progress might very well be more leisure, shorter hours, more time to live."

Benjamin Hunicutt, professor of leisure studies
(NPR, March 7)