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Conservation is a team sport in U of M residence halls during Spring semester, and one will win a college basketball national championship pizza party. The U’s office of Housing & Residential Life and Facilities Management department created the month long Conservation Madness competition to raise awareness about recycling, water conservation and energy reduction.

The residence hall that reduces its electricity use, water consumption and waste by the largest percentage, and recycles the most throughout February will win a college basketball national championship party at 8 p.m. on April 2, 2011. Pizza, refreshments and door prizes will be provided as the winners enjoy the national championship hoopla in their residence hall common area. Territorial Hall won the 2011 competition.

The competition’s goal is to encourage students to continue conserving university resources all year round and develop lifelong habits for their journey after college.

• Weekly Photo Contest

Team Recycle is holding a Conservation Madness photo contest, seeking fun pictures of students recycling and conserving resources in residence halls. Post your photo by 5 pm each Tuesday (Feb. 7-28) on the Recycling Program's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/UofMRecycle) for your chance to win a weekly prize. Prizes include UDS gift cards, U of M reuse program U-pons and a grand prize to be announced soon.

Get Green Certified

HRL will be introducing a Green Resident Certification program in conjunction with this year's Conservation Madness. Students begin by fulfilling level one (of three) by filling-out the Green Resident Certification Pledge at http://www.housing.umn.edu/sustainability. The pledge asks students to incorporate sustainable actions, like taking shorter showers and using public transportation, into their campus life.

• Make and Impact

Every residence hall was able to reduce their electricity use during 2011's two-week competition. Further student participation in campus energy conservation can have a positive impact on reducing the U's carbon footprint and energy expenditures.

If every residence hall were to reduce its electrical consumption by 6.45% throughout the year (like Comstock Hall did during Conservation Madness) it would save the University $85,000 per year and reduce CO2 emissions by 889 tons annually.

Furthermore, if every residence hall were to recycle 24.6% of its waste (like Yudof Hall last year) and reduce their waste per capita to 7.39 lbs. (like Sanford Hall), the university would save nearly $20,000 per year and produce approximately 250 less tons of waste.

Join in the Madness!

Kick-off events

Kick-off events will be held in each dining hall the week of January 24 – February 1. Facilities Management staff and Sustainability Advocates will be on hand to promote the contest and provide tips on how to save energy/reduce waste throughout the competition. Come Spin our Prize Wheel!

Find your Residence Hall Kick-off Event details below:

• Centennial – Tues. 1/24, 5-7 pm
  Sanford Hall – Wed. 1/25, 5-7 pm
  Bailey Hall – Thur. 1/26, 5-7 pm
  Middlebrook Hall – Mon. 1/30, 5-7 pm
  Comstock Hall – Tues. 1/31, 5-7 pm
  Pioneer Hall – Wed. 2/1, 5-7 pm

Note: The winning residence hall will be determined by calculating the highest combined ranking in three categories:  (a.) greatest percentage decrease in electrical usage (b.) greatest percentage decrease in water usage and (c.) least waste and most recycling generated per capita.