The first Indiana University Bloomington Campus Sustainability Awards were announced this week. In an awards ceremony at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center's Grand Hall, the 2012 recipients were recognized for outstanding contributions to campus sustainability in the areas of leadership, teaching, research and collaboration.  

They were Paul Sullivan, Excellence in Leadership; Scott Shackelford, Excellence in Teaching; Bloomington Urban Forestry Research Group, Excellence in Research; and IU Surplus Stores, Team Excellence.

"We could do this every week and still not recognize all of the sustainability heroes doing great work in all of these areas," said Bill Brown, director of sustainability at IU. "Their positive impacts are evident on campus, in the community and around the world."

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This week marked the end of the 2012 IU Fall Energy Challenge, with Recreation Sports, Military Science, Forest Quad, Campus View, Sigma Alpha Mu and Alpha Chi Omega all taking home first-place trophies.  

The Fall 2012 Energy Challenge was a three-week effort that spanned from Oct. 22 to Nov. 12. The competition encouraged reduction of electricity and water consumption and was designed to foster behavioral changes in students, faculty and staff. This year's challenge had a record number of 82 building entries, which prompted event coordinators to split the buildings into six categories: academic houses, large academic buildings, sorority houses, fraternity houses, residence halls and apartment housing complexes.

Chances are very good that you will be away from campus during the winter break for at least a few days, or weeks, if not for good - congrats to the December graduates!

As you gear up to get out of town, consider taking a few minutes to make a big difference.

You can give planet Earth and Indiana University a gift while you are gone by reducing consumption of resources you will never miss.  Tis the season for making lists, so I have a checklist for winter break as we vacate our classrooms, offices, homes, and apartments.

• Unplug anything that is plugged in that will not be in use while you are gone.  Be aware that many appliances draw electricity even when you are not using them.  Unless you want to eat really old stuff when you return, empty out your refrigerator, defrost the freezer, and turn it off, if you are going to be gone for an extended period.  These are major energy hogs.  Great to start the New Year with a fresh, clean fridge and ice that is not from the Ice Age!  
• Shut the sash.  This applies to window sash and lab fume hood sash.  Make sure your windows are latched to keep out drafts and other Grinches.
• Turn down the thermostats.  You will not be there to feel the chill.  Consider cranking it down to 65 degrees when you are gone.  If you have access to your water heater thermostat, turn it down, too.  If you are in a house that is subject to winter pipe freeze ups, now is the time to add insulation, automatic heat tapes and other precautions before you go.
• Mind the flora and fauna.  Please don't leave pets and plants unattended or release them into the local environment.  Make a plan for their care. Do not dump aquaria containing living organisms. Exotics can cause chaos for local ecosystems.  When in doubt, check with the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter: 812-349-3492, www.bloomington.in.gov/animalshelter
• Check the flow.  If you have a problematic plumbing fixture, such as a toilet that runs on or a faucet that drips, consider turning it off at the wall valve while you are gone, if you can't get it fixed before you leave. Make sure all faucets are turned off.  Check to make sure that any garden hoses are detached from outdoor hydrants and stowed to prevent frost damage.
• Take it out.  Take out the trash, composting, and recycling before you leave.  This can get stinky while you are gone and entertain uninvited guests.  If you miss the pick-up cycle, city and county drop-off stations are open daily. Click here for Monroe County and downtown location hours. 
• Donate.  If you are graduating and leaving town, consider donating your useful items to local agencies such as Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity Restore, or Hoosier Hills Food Bank, rather than leave them on the curb or in the dumpster.  This will lighten your load and give you a jumpstart for your holiday spirit.

In any case, may your holiday season be safe, merry, and bright and may your wishes come true.  All the best as you say farewell to 2012 and welcome the New Year of 2013!