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Show The University o f Utah's Independent Student'Voice Since THE ©2006 1890 DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Vol.116 No. 95 Monday, January 8, 2007 www.dallyutahchronicle.com Inside Opinion A&E Page's. Film frenzy Poo tube While you were lazing it up during Winter Break, a bunch of movies came out We saw even' one. After a winter of DVD-fueled discontent, Matthew Piper declares war on network television. Quote ofthe clay Sports Pat/c 10 Runnin' in place The U men's basketball team continues to struggle, dropping a series of close ballgames over the Winter Break. Weather "Basically, 'Dreamgirls' is a two-hour trailer; and just because it's big and loud and bright and sparkJy doesn't mean it's a great movie." -Chris Bellamy on "Dreamgirls" SEE FULL REVIEW PAGE 6. 38/27 Partly Cloudy Energy costs strain U budget Fuel and power expenses jump 57 percent since 2002 Dustin Gardiner Chronicle Asst. News Editor Climbing energy costs aren't just hurting students at the gas pump. The U's annual power and fuel expenses have increased by 57 percent in the last five years—from nearly $13 million in 2002 to about $22 million during the last fiscal year. Students are picking up a portion ofthe tab, about $18 per student, a fee administrators said they hoped to see disappear one day, an event they now deem unlikely. "Six years ago, there was hardly any student share, but the cost of power and fuels were continuing to go up," said Paul Brinkman, associate vice president for budget and planning. But student fees aren't enough to cover the bill and support from the state hasn't always been what administrators expected. Though support from the state has lagged in the past, Brinkman is hopeful that lawmakers will meet the U's request and fund a larger portion of the energy expenses this year. "With a little luck, we'll get that funding and the student share will not have grown," Brinkman said. While the number of buildings and students on the U campus has grown, administrators say the increase is primarily the result of rising global fuel prices, not usage. "I think it may have just been the increasing demand around the world," Brinkman said. Last year's energy costs were particularly high, a spike Brinkman said is largely the result of Hurricane Katrina's impact on natural gas production. He expects this year's total to be slightly lower, but prices are still going up. "It's a worry looking down the road; I don't see where things are going to get a whole lot better," Brinkman said. While the U says increasing energy costs are not being driven by usage, they are working to encourage students and employees to be more conservation-minded. "As we continue to grow on campus, if we're able to implement some of these changes, we can control the increase," said Orfeo Kostrencich, associate director for plant operations. Campus Energy Bill 2001-2002: $12,800,499 2002-2003: $14,148,500 2003-2004: $16,115,620 2004-2005: $17,498,543 005-2006: $21,768,178 0 The $77-miUion fund responsible for renovating the Marriott Library is now nearly 90 percent fully funded due to a $5-million pledge from the Marriott family. This is the second donation from the Marriott family, bringing its total contributions to more than $12 million. The rest of the funding has come from the State of Utah, the Federal Emergency Management Act and other private donations. Only $8 million has yet to be raised. Heidi Brett, spokeswoman for the Marriott Library, said she and the rest ofthe staff are grateful for the family's donation. "We're very excited about it," she said. "The Marriott family has been so supportive and this is really an extension of their generosity." The library's Renovation-Innovation project will give the library sufficient support through a 7.0 earthquake, which the Utah Office of Emergency Services predicted could happen at any time within the next 50 years. The project, which started in June 2005, will also equip the library with an auto- 15 20 25 ERIC GEERL1NGS/'/"A.-0Ji/y Utah Chronicle The U is also working to cut energy costs by making older buildings on campus more efficient through improvements such as modern insulation and windows. Marriott Library receives $5 million for remodeling project Ana Breton 10 Numbers do not include the University Hospital and other auxiliary units because those entities are self-supporting. Renovation donation Senior Chronicle Writer 5 In millions of dollars mated retrieval center—a robotic system that will house more than a million items and locate one within minutes. The renovation will also include an Advanced Technology Studio, a grand reading room and eight electronic classrooms. "When completed, the library will be a truly stunning centerpiece," said U President Michael K. Young in a written statement. "For nearly four decades, the LENNIE MAHLER/ Tht Daily Utah Chronicle Marriott Library has served as the The Marriott family recently pledged $5 million dollars toward the renovation of the state's flagship aca- Marriott Library, leaving only $8 million to be raised to meet the projected $77 million demic library. The total cost of the renovation, expected to be completed in the summer of 2008. new library building will reflect the important preserving history is to fund raise for the rest." deep value this library provides and how important research is Ogburn said the project will to the campus, the state and in- by directing so much of their at- be 50 percent finished when the deed the world." tention to it," Robinson said. glass exterior is finished in the Meghan Robinson, junior in Joyce Ogburn, director of the next couple months. The library history, said besides making the Marriott Library, said she was renovation will be completed library more secure, remodeling thrilled about the Marriott fami- during the summer of 2008. it shows how much the U cares ly's donation. "Then it won't look like a about its students academically. "This is a big boost for us," bombed- out building anymore," "The library is sending a mes- Ogburn said. "It's a great cap- she said. sage to students saying how stone, but we need to continue a.breton@chronicle.utah.edu "We owe a good effort...to only use the power and fuel that we need/' Brinkman said, d.gardiner@ chronicle.utah.edu Sustainable studies New course allows students to assist in design of new U building Paige Fieldsted The Daily Utah Chronicle A new course being offered this spring will allow U students to develop and implement project designs to help make a new geology and geophysics building more sustainable. "We are looking for the involvement of students from across the entire campus, since sustainability is a concern that affects all disciplines," said William Johnson, associate professor of geosciences. In the class, called Interdisciplinary Practicum in Sustainability, students will be instructed on the principles of sustainability, physical and biological factors found in natural communities and the elements in manmade communities. Students will work in teams to investigate, describe and propose functional designs for the Sutton Building. "I am thrilled students will have the opportunity to explore ways of making our building, or any building, tread more lightly on the environment," said Jim Nielson, one of the architects involved in planning and designing the Sutton Building. The Sutton Building is being built by the Geology and Geophysics Department, and the building will follow Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines. Students and faculty members working on the project are striving to make the building a showcase for green architecture options. "The class has a concrete focus on just one thing the U can do to be a role model for the rest of campus and for the Salt Lake City community and beyond," said Natasha McVaugh-Seegert, assistant director of the environmental studies program. Students from all majors are invited to sign up for the class and bring the concepts and tools of their majors in exploring solutions to one of society's most important challenges—sustainability. The class is listed under four different class names: Biology 5960, Civil Engineering 5920, See C L A S S Page 3 |
