Resolution 4
November 2, 2009
Sponsors: Adam Raveret, Jolyon Bloomfield and Erica Gutierrez
Subject: Lights Off, Cornell
Status: New Business

Whereas, Cornell University is committed to reducing expenditures on campus both financially and environmentally through the Cornell Climate Action Plan;

Whereas, while some lighting on campus is necessary as a night time security measure, lighting in unused classrooms, bathrooms, and hallways at night can be both inefficient and unnecessary;

Whereas, in a pilot study on Rockefeller Hall for the month of September, the energy usage was reduced by $800 dollars compared to the average from the 4 previous years;

Whereas, savings of up to $300 per month per building can be made by eliminating excess lighting, corresponding to 250 kg of carbon dioxide emissions. This adds up to an estimated $60,000 of gross annual savings ;

Be it therefore resolved, that the University investigates the use of lights on campus and looks into ways to reduce lighting usage when and where appropriate;

Be it further resolved, that the GPSA endorse the attached letter, which will be sent to President Skorton on behalf of the SA Environmental Committee and GPSA Ad-hoc Sustainability Committee.

Respectfully submitted,

Adam Raveret
Chair, SA Environmental Committee
Arts and Sciences Representative, SA

Jolyon Bloomfield
SA Environmental Committee
GPSA Ad-hoc Sustainability Committee
Field Representative, GPSA, Physics

Erica Gutierrez
Chair, Ad-hoc Sustainability Committee
Executive Vice President, GPSA, City and Regional Planning’