To Trim Energy Bills, Colleges Try 4-Day Summer Weeks

The high cost of energy has led some colleges to look for creative ways of cutting back on institutional and individual energy use. Western Carolina University, for instance, is organizing a shuttle service and carpools to help students and staff members keep their gas bills down, The Chronicle’s Katherine Mangan reports. The college will also try out a plan under which employees can work four 10-hour days a week, saving themselves one round trip to the campus.

Meanwhile, Florida International University is among institutions testing a campus-wide four-day workweek for the summer. It expects to save $250,000 in energy costs by closing buildings for three days in a row each week and turning the thermostats to 80 degrees while the buildings are closed. Brevard Community College expects to save $35,000 a month with a similar plan.