University of North Carolina, Greensboro
IN-1: Innovation 1

Begun in FY 2010-11, the Vampire Energy Slayers project was developed as a student opportunity to raise awareness about vampire energy, as well reduce vampire energy waste on campus. In this program, volunteer students are given “tickets” to leave where they find vampire energy and energy waste, such as lights being left on in unoccupied classrooms or office computers not set to hibernate. To diffuse any potential conflicts, building contacts are notified that "slayer" students will be coming through the building at least one week prior to the visit. Each student is given a list of items to look for, as well as guidelines on how to be respectful of offices, work environments, classrooms, etc. Students "slay" roughly two to three hours per outing. Vampire Energy Slayers enjoyed success in its first year. More than twenty students participated on multiple occasions and targeted both large academic buildings and special use areas with high occupancy rates, such as practice rooms in the Music Building. The program confirmed that computers are a major energy waste on campus, as are lights left on in unoccupied rooms. Interest in the program increased on campus, leading to larger general conversations about energy. Thanks to this growing awareness of energy issues facing UNCG, the Office of Sustainability decided to develop a multi-campus student energy group, the Triad Student Energy Alliance. This year, (2011-2012) the Vampire Energy Slayers will be part of this new outreach and education program.