06/25/2025
By Joanne Yestramski


With another academic year behind us, we’ve now shifted into the (slightly) less frenetic rhythm of summer. While important activities continue across campus — including teaching, research, enrollment and support for summer courses —this season also presents an important opportunity to reflect, reset and innovate.

Energy savings, especially from utilities, represent one of our most promising areas for impact. While existing procedures already optimize some summer energy usage, there is potential for deeper reductions through strategic building closures.

The following locations have been identified for short-term closure:

• 150 Wilder St. – week of June 30
• Allen House – weeks of June 30 and July 7
• Alumni Hall – week of June 30
• Coburn Hall – week of June 30
• Dugan Hall – weeks of June 30 and July 7
• Mahoney Hall – weeks of June 30 and July 7
• O’Leary and Lydon libraries – July 3-6
• Pulichino Tong Business Center – week of June 30

We ask faculty, staff and students located in those buildings to work from home or in open buildings during those periods. In the closed buildings, doors will be locked and air conditioning will be reduced, but you will be able to access the building with your UCard should you need entry.

This summer pilot has been recommended by the newly formed Operational Excellence Council, in consultation with leaders in affected areas. The OEC is tasked with exploring ways to enhance efficiency and sustainability in university operations.

For other offices and lab spaces, please take a few quick conservation steps when appropriate:

• Turn off all lights.
• Close windows and lower blinds.
• Shut down and unplug unused electronics and appliances (printers, chargers, coffee makers, etc.).
• In lab spaces, please close unused fume hood sashes.

These small actions add up — and your participation makes a difference. At the end of the season, the cost savings of these efforts will be assessed to evaluate expansion for future summers or winter sessions.

In addition to helping the university conserve resources, we hope you also take time this summer to rest, recharge and use your well-earned vacation time. Time away not only supports mental health — it helps relieve the pressure of accumulated vacation time cost on the university’s bottom line during a tight budget cycle. So, please coordinate with your supervisor and enjoy some well-deserved time off.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our mission. We’re excited to see what this summer pilot can teach us — and how we can build on it for a stronger, more sustainable UMass Lowell.