cgerben

Mon, Apr 18, 2011 : 5:23 a.m.

Anecdote: A short (and amusing or interesting) story about a real incident or person. Evidence: The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. I wish more people took note that these aren't synonyms.

a2cents

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 7:14 p.m.

When lighting for the re-configured football practice fields was installed, it appears that all were put on 1 circuit. Why else would a dozen or so towering gang-lights illuminate the entire area for hockey and basketball parking? And nearby, the indoor football facility casts an other-worldly glow over the neighborhood long into the night (clandestine practice?). Oops, of course: the power is free from the central plant, I forgot... silly me.

Moscow On The Huron

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.

"Then we leave the gym and drive up State Street and pass the soccer/field hockey practice field" Drive? Why weren't you walking or riding your bike? What about sustainability and being green?

Marvin Face

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.

Ocker Field is the practice and performance venue for the Michigan Field Hockey team. It is made of AstroTurf. It is watered prior to play just like every other regulation AstroTurf Field Hockey field in the country. Watering the field reduces injury and creates less bounce. As I say, it is standard practice. At least at the NCAA level.

snoopdog

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.

Agree 100% Erich. Their police department drives around in expensive and fuel guzzling Chevroet Tahoe SUV's. Why on earth does the U of M police force need 6000 pound all wheel drive SUV's to troll the streets of A2 ? Good Day

ChunkyPastaSauce

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 2 p.m.

The Intramural Sports Building is heated by steam which comes off of waste heat from the UM power plant... means little, if any, waste by leaving the windows open. I believe the field you speak of is Astroturf.

Will Warner

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.

From the article: "It is really hard for us, U-M alumni, to have any sympathy, empathy, and/or support for an institution crying over the money cuts from the state, and increasing student tuition fees by double digits, usually, and always, above the cost of living/inflation rates, when we observe these energy and water wastes on a daily basis." Though it may be counter-intuitive, the answer probably is that it is cheaper for the U to operate this way. It is cheaper for all of us to operate this way. We are very good at delivering water and electricity very inexpensively. I'll bet you will find that the "waste" costs less than would efforts to eliminate the "waste." And if that is true, then it is not really "waste" because it is expended in order to conserve other things (human time, for example) that are more valuable.

1bit

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.

UM isn't there yet but for over 20 years they have been trying. Recycling efforts in the dorms and on campus are much better. UM is trying to move to more efficient usages of energy as well. There's room for improvement, for sure, but I don't think there is a lack of will or effort.

glynda

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 12:51 p.m.

I agree. The worst part for me is the electricity that is wasted keeping lights on that nobody is using. Part of this is the responsibility of the staff, but I have been impressed by other universities that I have seen that use, for example, motion sensor lights in hallways to conserve energy. I think UM is moving in this direction, but it is certainly not taking the lead.

MjC

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 12:38 p.m.

&gt; the windows are propped open all over the building with heat escaping (or in the summer the air conditioning). Maybe it makes sense to have fresh air coming into a building where lots of sweat and germ particles are floating around. Air tight buildings usually mean we have to breath recycled air. That's just a guess though. &gt; Then we leave the gym and drive up State Street and pass the soccer/field hockey practice field, and it's being watered! -- Sprinkler systems run on electronic programs that operate no matter what the weather is. I can assure you that the UM department I work in is crazy about &quot;planet blue.&quot; The majority of UM employees strongly believe in the motto &quot;reuse, recyle, reduce. Here's a website link if you want to learn more: <a href="http://www.planetblue.umich.edu" rel='nofollow'>http://www.planetblue.umich.edu</a>

Brad

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.

Uh, if I'm not mistaken the field hockey field on State is made of artificial turf. Hopefully they were using artificial water.

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.

I understand your concern. To a answer your &quot;can you explain this?&quot; rhetorical question's the sprinklers are undoubtedly on timers. Given the number of in-ground sprinklers the U of M has it is impractical to run them manually or override the presets. It would probably cost more to pay someone to override the system. I don't have any good answers for the gym.

swcornell

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 12:31 p.m.

I always shake my head and wonder when I drive through Ann Arbor on a rainy day and everyone's sprinklers are blasting away. I have lived and worked in places where fresh drinking water is precious.

Becky

Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 12:28 p.m.

Unfortunately, I think UM has very little incentive to waste less energy on climate control. UM's state of the art co-generation plant saves the U millions and millions dollars compared to conventional energy, and because the heat is piped in with steam, it's very difficult to fine tune the temps in buildings. That said, I still completely agree with you. UM should be setting the standard for sustainability initiatives around the country, and if nothing else, having the windows open to let out heat/AC sets a bad example. The buildings could be far more efficient. I also find UM's physical waste--food, paper, water, etc.--really disturbing.