The Case Western Reserve University Unplugged contest is officially past the halfway point, with only two more weeks to go. Through this competition, students are challenged to reduce their residence hall or Greek house’s energy consumption. This year, there are separate competitions for sorority and fraternity houses. The residence hall and Greek house with the largest percent energy reduction will be the winners of this year’s contest.
Tippit, Taft and Smith are fighting for the top spot for the most percentage reduction in energy consumption. For Greek houses, last year’s winners Phi Sigma Rho are in the lead. The race is tight. Find live standings and percent reductions on the Office of Sustainability’s page.
There’s only two more weeks left before the final results are recorded. The winning building will receive a pizza and ice cream party, and the winning Greek house will also receive one year of free composting services.
Individuals also are eligible to win raffle prizes by filling out the sustainability pledge.
Tips to win:
- Monitor your building’s live energy consumption and take action.
- Get your friends and suitemates to reduce your building’s electricity use by turning off the lights, taking the stairs, unplugging devices and washing clothes in cold water.
- Off-campus students can defrost their freezers and make sure to use LED lights instead of incandescent bulbs.
- Consider other home energy tips from the Office of Energy & Sustainability.
Points will be awarded for:
- Reducing the amount of energy used in your residence hall;
- Signing up for the Sustainability Pledge; and
- Attending events over the course of the contest.
Individuals are automatically entered to win raffle prizes by signing the pledge. Prizes include Burt’s Bees sets, Bento lunch boxes, bamboo hair brush sets and biodegradable gel pens.
The Office of Energy and Sustainability and Sustainability Ambassadors—with support from Student Sustainability Council, and Residence Hall Association, and CWRU Residence Life, and Housing—organized this challenge.