As the spring semester winds down and we prepare to move into the summer, I wanted to be certain that everyone was current (no pun intended) on the energy situation.

1. We have withdrawn from the interruptible service program. We are no longer subject to required shutdowns nor to the fines that come with refusing to shut down. This means that so long as we are not in an area where a rolling blackout is taking place, we can keep the lights and air conditioning on.

2. We will, in fact, keep the air conditioning on during the summer but we will keep thermostats set at 78 degrees. This may not be as comfortable as some of us would like, but it will provide a reasonably comfortable working environment. This decision was made because it remains important to try and conserve if we are to have any chance of avoiding rolling blackouts.

3. Also in the interest of conservation, the president’s office will continue to notify you when we are informed that a stage 2 or stage 3 alert has been called. I would ask you to take measures to conserve when you receive these notifications in the hope of avoiding a blackout. In addition, if you are aware that a stage 2 or stage 3 alert has been called, you will at least have some inkling that a blackout may be possible.

4. Please understand that temperatures will be somewhat uneven across the campus. Some buildings will have to be cooler because of computers and other sensitive equipment, others, because of size and configuration may not cool down as well as others. The staff in facilities will do all that is possible to keep all of the buildings at the 78 degrees mark.

Be assured that if there are any changes in the energy situation that we will update you immediately.

Dr. Morgan Lynn

Interim President