NGTC proactive in water conservation

Even before Governor Sonny Perdue asked all state agencies to reduce their water consumption by at least 10%, North Georgia Technical College's campuses in Clarkesville, Blairsville and Currahee were already setting an example by implementing measures to conserve both water and energy. By encouraging students and employees to increase their conscientiousness about water and energy, NGTC feels that they can really make a positive difference.

Mark Ivester, Vice President of Administrative Services and George Sanders, Director of the Currahee Campus, have organized teams to lead the College toward a conservation culture. Students and staff are constantly encouraged to recycle and to decrease the usage of paper products. Carpooling is encouraged, recycled water is being used in as many situations as possible and everyone is being more conscientious about turning off their office and classroom lights when not in use. Each day a new tip is shared with employees and students such as turning off the water while brushing your teeth and saving bath water to use in the yard. As bathrooms around the Clarkesville campus are updated, water-saving facilities are being installed.

When the price of gas began to become a barrier for students coming to class, the College moved to a four-day student week in order to cut down on the amount of travel time required of students. This was accomplished without reducing the number of class time for any program. Faculty and staff continue campus operations five days a week.

Mr. Ivester is working on generating reports that will allow the College to compare the College's current energy and water usage with the numbers from the same period last year. Ivester commented "We will monitor these reports closely to make sure that our efforts are producing positive results. It is important for us to accept these new conservation practices not as a one-time, short-term fix. Rather, they should become a natural way of life."

For more information on North Georgia Tech's energy and water conservation plans and to read the Tip of the Day, visit the College's website at www.northgatech.edu.