Growing Greener Computing Practices

The Climate Savers Computing Initiative @ U-M (CSCI @ U-M) kicked-off on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, announcing its green computing plans for the next two years and beyond. Through the CSCI @ U-M, the University can save energy, conserve natural resources and slow climate change by reducing its carbon footprint.

Photo of Gus Evrard's Computational Physics class discussing green computing in the student awareness space. Gus Evrard's Computational Physics class discusses green computing in the student awareness space.

CSCI @ U-M set out to connect campus, and it certainly did; over 40 units merged together in collaboration with students and representatives from leading vendors — APC, Apple, Cisco, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Lenovo, Sun and Xerox. With over 120 people in attendance, it was a standing-room-only event.

Speakers John King, Peggy Norgren and Bill Wrobleski engaged the audience, while the remaining time allowed for collaboration. Vendors spoke to students; representatives of the IT community and other units brainstormed with project leads; and Wolverine Teams’ Planet Blue presented their environmental energy initiative. Many stayed beyond the time allotted to share ideas. Most importantly, people volunteered to participate on project teams and to make an impact with CSCI @ U-M.

John King, executive sponsor and vice provost for academic information, began the program by giving some background about the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. He set the tone for the CSCI @ U-M emphasizing the University's legacy in environmental stewardship.

Photo of Peggy Norgren addressing a full room at Palmer Commons. Peggy Norgren engages a full room at Palmer Commons.

Executive Sponsor and Associate Vice President for Finance, Peggy Norgren, described the links and the process — showing how the CSCI @ U-M will connect various units, procurement and the IT Commons.

Bill Wrobleski, project director, shared a timeline and details for the planned projects. Cross-University volunteer project teams will further develop and define each area. Projects include:

Big 10 Competition
Computer Recycling Events
Green Scholarship
Department Certification
Green IT Lecture Series
Enhance Information Systems
Planet Blue’s Wolverine Teams Support
Unit Funding Program
Desktop Technologies
Machine Rooms
Student Awareness

You can still volunteer and be involved in this exciting green computing effort based on your interests and schedule. There is room for faculty, staff and students to contribute.

To receive updates on CSCI @ U-M, search for “climate savers” on UMOD and join.

Questions? E-mail csci.inform@umich.edu

CSCI @ U-M
Kick-Off Presentations
Featuring
Executive Sponsors:
John King,
Vice Provost for Academic Information;
Peggy Norgren, Associate Vice President for Finance;
Project Director:
Bill Wrobleski,
Director of Technical Infrastructure Operations Division, MAIS

It All Comes Back to Nature
A quiz on computing energy and waste