Let There Be Light

In the next few weeks, students on campus may notice a small change when they go to turn on a light. As part of a new initiative called "Sun's up, Lights Off," the light switch panels in some of the academic buildings on campus will be getting a makeover.

The idea was created by Ross Ferguson, a senior. Being a student member of the University Environmental Committee, Ferguson proposed his idea to help increase awareness towards energy conservation during a meeting in October.

With the guidance of Brian Eisehauser, the Director of Sustainability at Plymouth State University, as well as Christina Schaefer, the Senior Academic Student Services Program Assistant, Ferguson developed a plan in which the light switches on campus would be used as attention-getting signs, educating the public on energy conservation.

"Sun's Up, Lights Off" promotes students and faculty to utilize the natural sunlight in classrooms and offices when it can be applied," Ferguson said. By creating special light switch panels, it will bring more attention to how much energy is actually being used by keeping the lights on, instead of turning them off.

Ferguson says that the initiative "promotes reducing electricity usage when classrooms and offices can take advantage of natural light. This immediately benefits the school in decreasing utility costs, and this behavior can be applied to anywhere that uses daytime lights."

Ferguson also stated another benefit to the new program. "I continue to receive comments from students and faculty stating they actually prefer the natural light of the sun to fluorescent lights."

Ferguson, who designed and polished the promotional light plate adhesives, worked closely with Pamela Anneser's Graphic Design Team, which does work with many local projects. "I chose to continue with a design done by Matilda Hammond, and she is also designing the poster that will be seen in the five buildings" that can expect new light plates.

The five academic buildings to receive the new panels include Memorial Hall, Draper and Maynard Building, Rounds Hall, Boyd Science Center, and Hyde Hall. However, there will be posters going up as well to explain the change, also designed by Hammond.

However, Ferguson and Hammond are not the only students working on the new initiative. MAPS, the Marketing Association of Plymouth State, will be installing and promoting the panels in classrooms and offices across campus. They will also be putting up the posters designed by Hammond.

"The switch plate cover will be seen at the latest on Apr. 20, the Friday before Earth Day."