Denise and her Residents

As an RD, Denise took a leading role in promoting BC’s energy conservation contest this past February. She sent emails to her residents and posted fliers explaining what the competition is, why it is important, and what students can do to be involved. Because the prize of the contest was a barbecue for the winning dorm, she kept an updated rankings meter in the entrance of the building that used paper hamburgers as benchmarks to remind students of the payoff. BC's new Energy Dashboard also used hamburgers to demonstrate energy equivalents. Denise’s emails would remind students that turning off one light was the equivalent of a hamburger. Edmonds finished in second place in the contest.

One more way Denise has helped BC stay environmentally conscious was starting a new program called “Awkward Elevator Conversations,” in which she and other residents will discourage students living on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of dorms from taking the elevator. This will not only help combat unnecessary energy usage, but also help avoid awkward conversations with others living on the higher floors. This is a great way to promote conservation and exercise with a little humor!

Advice

In Denise's words: “If everyone did a little, no one would have to do a lot.” She advises that simple things such as turning off lights and recycling can make definite change if everyone does them. “It’s so simple, it doesn’t have to be a huge chore.”