In 2018 the physical plant department continued its commitment to strategic energy management through a program of monitoring and improving energy efficiency throughout campus. In partnership with the Energy Trust of Oregon, the efforts made by physical plant staff resulted in a significant reduction of kilowatts of electricity, thermal units of natural gas, and over $25,000 of savings in combined utility costs.
Major efforts such as renovations to Buckley Center and Waldschmidt Hall, the decentralization of the campus boiler system, and systematic change to LED lighting across campus are prominent examples of sustainable energy management. Just as significant are the seemingly small but progressive changes such as adjustments of boiler set points, sealing of windows and doors to minimize air leakage, and systemized maintenance of HVAC equipment to increase efficiency.
The momentum of sustainable energy management continues into this year. Energy assessments of academic and administrative buildings, dormitories, athletic, and recreational buildings continue to provide a detailed perspective of the University’s energy usage and further action is currently under development to increase efficiency and savings.
For more information contact Todd Yuratich, physical plant, at x7308 or yuratich@up.edu.
The University of Portland has once again been recognized for its environmental impact commitment by virtue of participation in the Portland General Electric Clean Wind program, according to André Hutchinson, physical plant. A certificate was presented to UP representatives on Wednesday, February 28. Every year, UP self-directs the maximum percentage of public purpose charge toward renewable power in the form of clean wind, thus offsetting carbon production with clean wind production. The University’s 2017 participation included more than 1.6 million kWh of renewable power purchased, significantly reducing our carbon footprint by avoiding the emittance of more than 2.5 million pounds of CO2 into the environment. That amount is the equivalent of more than 2.8 million vehicle miles not driven, or planting more than 300 trees. The PGE Electric Clean Wind program is just one of many sustainability and strategic energy management initiatives undertaken within the physical plant throughout the course of any given year.
The physical plant would like to remind faculty and staff that if they encounter maintenance issues in campus buildings, they should please submit a request via 
Please join the physical plant staff as we say goodbye to Mehling Hall housekeeper Virginia Asuncion. Virginia has been a University of Portland staff member for 44 years, and will be missed by colleagues and residents alike. She will be honored for her contributions to the University in a farewell reception to be held in the Terrace Room on Tuesday, May 2, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. All are invited to extend their good wishes to Virginia in her retirement.
The University of Portland will host the final Strategic Energy Management (SEM) workshop, “Report Out & Celebration,” on Wednesday, November 16. UP has been participating in a two-year SEM cohort sponsored by the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO), according to physical plant director André Hutchinson. Other participants in the cohort, which focuses on organizations with large, complex campuses, such as the Hillsboro School District and Oregon Health & Science University, will be on campus for this closing event. The UP project has been spearheaded by the Energy Team of Hutchinson, Sandy Galati, and Dirk Theisen, physical plant; Eric Barger, controller; Michelle Sunderland, information services; and Beth Sorensen, marketing and communications.
The University of Portland has been participating in a two-year Strategic Energy Management (SEM) cohort sponsored by the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO), according to physical plant director André Hutchinson. The University will host the next SEM workshop, “Sustaining Strategic Energy Management,” on Wednesday, September 14.
The parking lots for the Bauccio Commons and physical plant will be closed for repaving during the week of July 11-15, according to Paul Luty, facilities planning and construction. Employees and visitors will need to use the University’s main lot for parking during that week.
The Holy Cross and Teske Dining Rooms will be closed during the week of May 16, according to physical plant director Andre Hutchinson. Workers will be replacing air conditioning units and also performing other scheduled maintenance and repairs. The Holy Cross dining room will reopen on Monday, May 23.
Physical plant director André Hutchinson reports that Portland General Electric presented the University of Portland with a certificate acknowledging UP’s 2015 environmental impact. The certificate states, “You have made a positive impact on our environment through your purchase of Clean Wind renewable power. Thank you for your commitment to the environment.”