Wasting our money: Why are the lights still on in the Science Center?

By Tyler Mcneil

Hallway lights are left on in the recently opened Science Center night after night, leaving some students to conclude that the school is wasting energy and money keeping the 100,000-square-foot building lit past the time when night classes are dismissed.

“Lights will come on and off throughout the night as the custodial staff moves through the building conducting cleaning and maintenance. There will always be some lights on, but after 11 p.m all the lights will be under control by the automatic system,” said Dennis Kennedy, Director of Communications.

“It’s a waste of energy considering how large the building is,” said Christopher Brown, a second year engineering science major.

“Nobody is benefiting from the [electricity] usage and it costs our tuition money to pay for those lights,” said Ethan Seeley, a freshman business administration major.“It makes Hudson Valley look great for the people on route four coming past the building, but what should matter is what is seen in the campus, not from [outside] the campus.”

“It’s a waste of energy. Simple science. I don’t have night classes, but being up here at night before, there’s no point in keeping the lights on when there’s few to none students in sight,” said Kyle Spunelli, a second year criminal justice major.

“Environmental science seems to be a second priority,” said Christopher Dalpe, first year student.

“It really doesn’t make sense. If the lights are off elsewhere, why not in the Science Center? Is this Motel 6?” said Dalpe.

“The building is still going through its commissioning process. That process is where we program set points for heat and cooling, the energy management system, and the lighting system, among many other things. The lights were programmed about two weeks ago,”said Dennis Kennedy.

In addition to the 25 laboratories, the Science Center holds 11 classrooms, offices, a greenhouse, conference spaces and a science study center.

“Considering the size of the building, it’s important to be energy conscious in the very least. Come on, I know it it’s a big deal and we should show it off like a trophy, but who’s even around to see the building lit up at 10:30 p.m. besides a few custodians?” said Kyle Spunelli.