By Cynthia Lee
Originally published in UCLA Today

In the past, the annual holiday closure has helped UCLA save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs at a time when these costs have remained high. "It's been a highly effective approach to power conservation, resulting in savings of $250,000 per year," said David Johnson, director of energy services and utilities in Facilities Management.

While several university holidays will be included during the closure, specifically Dec. 25, 26, 29 and Jan. 1, there are two days, Dec. 27 and 28, which are not paid holidays. So staff and those academic employees who accrue vacation leave will need to use either vacation, compensatory time (if available) or leave without pay to cover those two work days.

To find out your options in accordance with university personnel policies and applicable labor agreements, go to www.chr.ucla.edu and click "2006-2007 Winter Holiday Closure."

During the planned closure, the UCLA Hospital System and essential-service facilities will continue to operate and remain open. Building services will also be maintained in certain areas to protect artifacts, instruments, vivaria and research materials, and to cool server rooms, critical data and voice rooms and hub rooms. Planned performances, such as UCLALive concerts, will not be affected by the closure.

To maximize energy savings during the closure, here's what you can do:

• Turn off all personal appliances, including heaters, fans, radios and desk lamps.
• Turn off all office equipment, including computers, monitors, printers, plotters, fax machines, shredders, typewriters and overhead task lights.
• Set local thermostats to low or off.
• Turn off all equipment in computer labs.
• Turn off all unnecessary lights, including overhead lighting and lighting in unoccupied rooms, equipment and storage areas. Reduce lighting, inside and out, that is not needed for security and safety.
• Maintain security and safety lighting at the lowest acceptable levels.
• Turn off all kitchen/lunchroom appliances, including refrigerators and coffee pots. Ensure that refrigerators are defrosted while staff are present to monitor for leaks.
• Set fume hoods to minimum open when not in use.
• Close all windows and exterior doors.

To find out the status of your building, parking structures and many other details, go to www.fm.ucla.edu/Campus_Closure.html.

Published: Tuesday, December 12, 2006

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