Periodic Updates - Update #28
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
February 25, 2003
To: CMU Colleagues and Students
From: Mike Rao
Ref: CMU Update #28
BUDGET UPDATE
As CMU continues to plan for a reduction in 2003-2004 state
appropriations, it is clear that the university is not
facing this budget challenge alone. Maintaining funding for
higher education is a national issue. The revenue challenge
Michigan higher education will face in the 2003-2004 year
will be reflected partly in Governor Granholm's proposed
budget, to be released on March 6.
In the meantime, the Governor issued an executive order last
week that reduced higher education funding for the 2002-2003
fiscal year by 1.5%. For CMU, that reduction translates to
$1.3 million. Across the board budget reductions are no
longer an option. In addition, because the fiscal year is
approaching its last quarter, the university must act
swiftly to implement this latest reduction. The following
reductions will be implemented immediately.
- Capital project funds will be reduced by $850,873, which will reduce the transfer from the general fund to the capital budget. A Pearce/Anspach landscaping project (with an estimated cost of $300,000), as well as other projects (with an estimated cost of $250,873), will be delayed indefinitely. Expenses for two previous parking lot projects were $300,000 lower than estimates, also contributing to a savings from the current year budget.
- Library acquisitions will be reduced by $120,000, which will postpone current year payments for electronic databases and, over time, reduce some serial subscriptions.
- Counseling Center funding of $100,000 will be reduced, resulting in the elimination of two non-instructional regular counseling positions that have been filled for the last two years with temporary and part-time faculty.
- $200,000 will be taken from fiscal year 2003 budget for Institutional Priorities. This budget, needed primarily for institutional flexibility, will be restored in the 2003-2004 budget.
- $80,000 will be removed from Governmental Relations and Public Affairs for the director of advocacy position, which has been vacant for several years.
Complete information about budget reductions to date may
be found at
http://www.budget.cmich.edu/.
UNIVERSITY BUDGET FORUMS
An open meeting for faculty members will be held in the Lake
Michigan Room today at 4:15 p.m., hosted by the provost. The
meeting will focus on CMU's preparation for impending budget
reductions proposed by the Governor. Additional sessions may
be scheduled in March and April as more information becomes
available from Lansing.
A budget forum open to all staff employees is scheduled on
Thursday, February 27, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the UC
Auditorium.
ENERGY CONSERVATION AT CMU
It continues to be critically important to win your support
and initiative to help reduce energy-related expenditures at
CMU. We need to significantly increase our collective as
well as special efforts to reduce energy usage. Currently,
the university spends more than $10 million dollars per year
for utilities on the Mt. Pleasant campus, which averages
more than $500 per student. The Financial Plan for this
current fiscal year includes an aggressive $1 million budget
reduction in energy costs as compared to the prior year.
Meanwhile, natural gas prices have risen dramatically this
winter to or near historic levels, placing additional
pressures on the budget.
Listed below are some specific actions for immediate
implementation that will present an opportunity to reduce
energy costs by more than $400,000 annually and promote
energy conservation. Here is where we will need your
immediate help.
- Heating and Air Conditioning: Lower thermostats
in the winter to 68 degrees during occupied periods and 64
degrees during unoccupied periods. Raise thermostats in the
summer to 76 degrees during occupied periods and turn off
air conditioning during unoccupied periods. Implement a
cooling load management protocol. Please keep in mind that
temperature regulation from building to building is complex
and will take time to adjust depending on each facility's
insulation, special needs, etc. Heating and cooling is
provided centrally, so while some buildings may achieve an
ideal temperature, others may not because they present more
of a challenge in this regard.
- Air infiltration / exhaust: Keep windows closed
while heat or cooling is on. Minimize make-up air as much as
possible to meet building needs. Shut off exhaust fans when
not needed. Close fume hood sashes when not in use.
- Lighting: Turn off all lights when not in use or
when not needed for greater than 15 minutes.
- Water: Minimize the use of water, particularly
hot water. This will also reduce sanitary sewer costs.
Reduce hot water temperature to 120 degrees, except for
dining facilities, which are required to have a 140-degree
temperature.
- Shut off equipment: Turn off office equipment
(computers, monitors, copy machines, etc.) and appliances
when not in use to save electricity.
- Portable heaters: The use of portable heaters are
permitted only in emergency situations or as specifically
approved due to special circumstances. Portable units are
not energy efficient.
Any exceptions to the above will require approval by
Associate Vice President for Facilities Management Robert
Matouka, with a master list for the campus to be maintained
by Facilities Management.
Some specific actions CMU needs your help with include the
following.
- Contact the Facilities Management Service Center in a
timely fashion to have:
- Leaky sinks and toilets repaired
- Building temperatures adjusted
- Doors that do not close tightly adjusted
- Shut off exhaust fans when no longer needed.
- Use natural lighting where possible.
- Be patient and persistent. If your first attempt to have
a problem corrected does not result in closure, don't give
up. Some problems require a longer-term solution. Follow up
to ensure that the appropriate people are aware of a
problem.
- Submit energy savings suggestions to our web site (http://fmgt.cmich.edu/energy_ECon.html).
Below is a partial listing of some conservation measures
implemented.
- CMU restarted its wood boiler in the Central Energy
Facility in late 2001. With present natural gas prices and
steam usage, the wood chip boiler is saving over $100,000
per month to make steam for campus heating.
- Lighting retrofits were made to improve energy usage and
safety.
- Outdoor lighting fixture replacements
- Indoor lighting fixture replacements
- Exit lights have been converted to LED
- Energy efficient motors and variable speed controllers
have been installed for increased energy efficiency.
- CMU implemented holiday period shutdowns of facilities.
Energy costs of $60,000 were saved during the recent holiday
period.
- The university reduced city water and sanitary sewer
costs by drilling wells for irrigation and make-up water for
the powerhouse and installing water saving devices in
showerheads.
The following include some planned energy conservation
measures.
- The Energy Conservation Commission will reconvene to
evaluate and promote energy awareness on campus.
- Facilities Management will monitor and trim energy usage
and costs through procedures, inspections, equipment
upgrades, and any other means including working with the
entire campus community.
- CMU will analyze its waste disposal contract, including
recycling, to determine ways to reduce costs.
- CMU will evaluate electrical supply from multiple
providers to leverage discounts.
- The university will optimize chilled water supply mix
between electric and steam.
- Facilities Management will update building design
requirements to incorporate updated energy efficiency
philosophies.
- CMU will increase steam efficiency through the steam
turbine generator.
- CMU will upgrade energy management systems and HVAC
controls to allow better monitoring and control of energy
costs.
- Facilities Management will explore additional powerhouse
operational assessments, including applying optimization
software.
- Facilities Management will also evaluate:
- Additional water saving devices in showers, sinks and toilets
- Vending mizers (electrical savings for vending machines)
Lower indoor lighting levels with electronic controller - Use of higher efficiency high pressure sodium lights for outdoor lighting versus metal halide
- Reduce outdoor lighting levels after midnight from activity levels to security levels
- Additional automatic shutoff devices for lighting and other equipment
- Review and update of the CMU Energy Policy.
Following are contacts for further information or to
submit energy savings suggestions.
Bob Matouka
Associate Vice President for Facilities Management
Phone: 774-6536
Tim Vajcner
Director Plant, Energy, & Utilities
Chair - Energy Conservation Commission
Phone: 774-1566
Facilities Management Service Center - (to request repairs)
Phone 774-6547
Facilities Management Web page on Energy Conservation and to
submit suggestions:
http://fmgt.cmich.edu/energy_ECon.html.
