Student Success
University Apartments
July 16, 2012
AASHE
1536 Wynkoop Street
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80202
To Whom It May Concern:
I am pleased to write this letter at the request of Mary Ellen Mallia, PhD., the University at Albany, SUNY Director of Environmental Sustainability. My name is Leandra Harris and I am the Assistant Director of Residential Life, University Apartments at the University at Albany, SUNY. In my professional capacity, I am responsible for three on-campus apartment complexes. One of the three, Empire Commons, houses 1200 upper classmen in 300 apartments.
Although all utility costs are covered in the residents housing fees, for the past few years Dr. Mallia has spearheaded a program on Empire Commons, where each apartment’s energy costs are assessed and a fake electricity bill is issued. Although the bills are not real they appear to be rather official, causing students to take the time to review them. On the bills, Dr. Mallia provides tips for reducing one’s energy usage for financial and environmental reasons. As a result, residents are more cognizant of the financial and environmental effects of their energy usage and make an effort to adjust their habits accordingly.
Throughout the year, apartments are given small prizes for having the lowest bill or having the largest reduction in spending over time. The success of this program has led to Empire Commons being placed on the University’s energy Honor Roll and winning an award for having the Biggest Impact on energy usage reduction on campus.
I strongly support the Empire Energy Bill program getting an Innovative Credit through AASHE. Many would simply hand out fliers, send emails or post information to social media sites to get their message out. However on a college campus many messages get missed because there are too many fliers, emails and Facebook posts for students to take in. This program catches students’ attention in an entirely different way. They are first shocked to have a bill, then relieved that it is not a bill; but in process of getting form shock to relief, they read the information and learn something.
It is imperative that young people learn to care about such matters even when the cost does not “seem” to impact them. As a Student Affairs professional, I am always looking for ways to mold our student’s for future success and I believe that this program is an excellent tool to accomplish this. Dr. Mallia’s program is a gentle reminder that they are a part of a global community and that even what happens in their campus apartment still has a greater impact.
If you have any additional question for me, please feel free to email me at or call 518-956-6250.
Sincerely,
Leandra Harris
Assistant Director of Residential Life,
University Apartments
EmpireCommonsCommunityBuilding
1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY12222
PH:518-956-6250 FX:518-956-6251