Fairfield University Student Environmental Association spearheads University commitment to the 2007 Energy Star campaign | Press Releases

Members of Fairfield University's Student Environmental Association (SEA) will launch, on October 10, the University's participation in the national 2007 ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World campaign.

Fairfield University, partnering with the United Illuminating Company in its 'Change a Light Challenge,' joins a growing community of businesses, schools, non-profit organizations and individuals who have made a firm commitment to help change the world, one light - one energy saving step - at a time.

"The Student Environmental Association and the University's Environmental Steering Committee are really excited about this initiative," said Brianna Bundenthal '08, SEA spokesperson for the initiative. "It celebrates both the progress that's already been made, as well as the continuing movement toward environmental sustainability here at Fairfield University. Students and faculty alike are becoming more aware of what it means to 'go green,' so this event should truly embrace the collaboration of everyone's time and effort.

"The entire Fairfield community, including alumni, is invited to take the pledge which is geared toward shedding some light (preferably Energystar's compact fluorescents) upon the increasingly significant environmental challenge that we, along with the rest of the world, continue to face," Bundenthal continued.

To take the pledge, visit: https://www.uinet.com:9444/pledge/takeThePledge.do

While national ENERGY STAR® - Change a Light Day is October 3, the student environmental group chose October 10 to kick-off the University-wide campaign to coincide with the visit of internationally known Chinese environmentalist, Sheri Liao, to campus. Liao will be given an honorary doctor of laws degree for her influential work on and dedication to the environment and will also deliver, "This Endangered Planet: A Chinese View," at 8 p.m., on Oct. 10 in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The event is free and open to the public.

At Fairfield University, students are encouraged to challenge themselves to contribute to making the world a better place. The Change a Light Challenge is only one of a number of programs and activities in the University's "From Red to Green" initiative. Fairfield is committed to promoting environmental awareness through academics, campus energy use, and everyday practice. To learn more about the University's environmental initiatives, visit:http://www.fairfield.edu/green

The ENERGY STAR® campaign is a national call-to-action sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Housing and Urban Development to encourage Americans to use energy efficiently at home and to start by switching to lighting options that have earned the government's ENERGY STAR label for energy efficiency.