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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 1973)
dailu mi thursday, november 15, 1973 lincoln, nebraska vol. 97 no. 46 v UNL feels squeeze; conservation efforts begin By Steve Arvanette In recent weeks, Harley Schrader, director of the UNL physical plant, has become a pessimist about his job. "You have to be," he said. He was discussing problems the university is encountering with the national energy crisis. "If it is a mild winter we should make it. Otherwise..." His conversation continued in a more serious tone, explaining that the University could exhaust its fuel oil supply and be forced to shut down in the event of a prolonged severe cold spell. "With this mild weather, everything is rosy," Schrader said of this week's unseasonably warm temperatures. "I think I have to take a pessimistic viewpoint, however." By being less than optimistic, Schrader said his office is much more prepared for the worst, should it occur. UNL is attempting to cut its fuel oil use by 25 per cent over last winter. If successful, that economy move would save about one million gallons of fuel oil. To do that, Schrader said UNL's 4,500 thermostats are being lowered to 67 degrees in offices and 65 degrees in classrooms. Those temperatures are likely to fall even more on nights and weekends when air circulation systems are turned off to conserve electricity. Although thermostats would not be lowered, Schrader said heat loss would cool a building's outer regions. Schrader said by lowering temperatures UNL will try to cut its fuel oil use from 4.2 to 3.2 million gallons. He said it has a capacity to store 1.2 million gallons and that storage tanks are presently full. The "lights out" campaign initiated in June has saved a considerable amount of electricity for UNL according to Schfader. From June 12 to Nov. 5 UNL cut its electrical consumption by 2.4 million kilowatt hours over the same period last year. Schrader said that amount of electricity could serve nearly 4,000 homes for a one-month period. Schrader said UNL is "increasing our effort" to further conserve electricity by "removing all but critical lighting." Lighting in hallways and parking lots Is being cut by nearly half, Schrader said. Also being eliminated is much of the decorative exterior lighting on buildings, he said. However, Schrader said adequate lighting will be provided for night walking and security purposes. Describing the energy squeeze as a "learning experience for everyone," Schrader advised University students and staff to keep windows shut, turn out unneeded lights and dress warmly for the winter ahead. UNL bus service cutback planned v By Charles Wieser UNL's East Campus and fairgrounds bus service will be reduced by 19 hours starting Monday, according to W.E. Franklin, manager of the Lincoln Transportation System (LTS). Franklin said the reduction is a result of the recent major cutbacks in diese! fuel a.otments received by LTS. LTS currently is operating on 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel daily, he said. "We get five miles per gallon, which means we have had to reduce bus routes to fit the amount of fuel we have," he said. Ray Coffey, assistant business manager for UNL, said greater use of buses is being planned. Coffey said reducing UNL's bus service was discussed Wednesday during a University staff meeting. University officials are working with LTS in trying to deal with Lincoln's recent public transportation problem, ho said. Gail Gade, chief of Campus Security, said the reduction is "bound to affect" student's schedules. "New schedules will be forthcoming (from LTS). Whether we're talking about a 15 or 20 minute service will depend on what the city transportation system's final decision is," Gade said. Coffey assured students that the "central service will be Mayor Schwartzkopf outlines city's approach to energy crisis Limited city bus transportation, cooler building temperatures and car pools are being implemented in the face of the energy shortage, according to Lincoln Mayor Sam Schwartzkopf. He is a brother or NU Regent Ed Schwartzkopf, Beginning Sunday the Lincoln Transporation System will eliminate Sunday bus runs, and weekday operating hours will be reduced. Buses will moke their last runs at 6: 1 5 p.m., Schwarzkopf said. Eliminting Sunday bus runs will affect about 80 riders, he said. He had no figures on the number of riders affected by the weekday hours reduction. He said temperatures in city buildings have been lowered from 68 to 65 degrees. City V.. University Health Center Director Dr. Sam Fuenning spoke to the ASUN Senate Wednesday. Story on Page 3 employes also have been urged to make as few automobile trips as possible. Car pools havu been recommended as a means of cunwiving gasoline, and a car pool system is being considered, Schwartzkopf said. Under this system, Lincoln would be subdivided and a car pool organized for each section. This measure will be taken if the energy shortage become critical, he said. He added that he expects gasoline rationing to come by the beginning of next year. While the fuel shortage already has affected bus transportation, Schwartzkoph said limited allocations do not now affect the Lincoln Police or Fire Dopts. Lincoln now does not f-icu an electrical shortage, but recommcncJjtions h ive been made to reduce Christmas lighting and store hours, he said. There also is talk at a state level tor legislation to eliminate store operation on Sundays as an energy conservation measure, he added. According to Willi im Becker, manager of Gateway Shopping Center, the Gateway Merchants Assoc. is urging state senators to propose legislation that would outlaw store operation on Sunday. Becker called the measure a starting point, but said stores are waiting for some direction from the federal government to decide what will be the exlent of energy conservation measures. Shcwartzkopf said he had been in contact with federal officials, who described the energy shortage situation and conservation measures in Washington as havoc. He said he had talked to Jerry Jorgnson, Charles Thono's administrative assistant, and Boots Jenkins from the Dept. of the Interior. Describing the energy situation as "very critical," Schwartzkopf said he expected the shortage to last a rouble of years. maintained." Lt. Chester Parnham of Campus Security's parking and traffic division said service will not fx? significantly impaired. He said buses probably will run every 15 to 18 minutes instead of the usual seven to 10 minutes. If the changes cause serious problems for UNL students, Parnham said, LTS has agreed to let UNL return to the original bus service. Reductions in bus service, he said, will save UNL $142.35 weekly. The university pays LTS $7.75 an hour for each bus on the road. Franklin said the amount of fuel that will be saved because of UNL's reduced bus service'-has not been determined. Franklin admitted that persons working for LTS were surprised at recent cutbacks in diesel fuel allotments. "Two weeks ago, we had no idea that we would be hit like this. We're as dumbfounded as anyone," he said. Gade said that students would be given an opportunity to plan their schedules according to the changes being made. When LTS gives Campus Security the new bus schedules, he said, the Daily Nebraskan will be informed about the changes. UNL rents five buses from LTS two for the fairgrounds route and three for East campus. i jf v, t i I' Hi 1 1 i r , 1 . fc-. H f t "to"" I ' w. " -'. --,.,, I;.. ' -rtHMi.,..., . mmmrtf -?jMMdMMiiiirriii wnwfc I j . T. KN T ir... . m 1 1 Photo by Felicia Marthall Women's intercollegiate sports include a rowing team-and that team is plagued by similar problems facing its brother team. Story on Page 8