Texas A&M University’s Department of Residence Life and Utility & Energy Services (UES) are proud to announce the success of the 3rd Annual U-Challenge This year we had 9 student teams with 3 at the graduate level and 6 at the undergraduate level. They did an outstanding job examining utility consumption trends and brainstorming ideas on how to improve infrastructure and student engagement to reduce consumption and create a culture of sustainability.
Teams were provided with the last two years of monthly and hourly utility consumption data for their assigned hall. Using this information, they created graphs indicated the differences between their assigned hall and an equivalent, renovated hall to show the efficiency of infrastructure improvements. In addition to the utility data, students also researched past student engagement efforts by various departments and student groups. After collecting their information, teammates worked together to create their presentations, analyze data, and brainstorm solutions.
All teams participated in a run-through of their presentations on March 5 and 6 to UES and Res Life staff along with one of our sponsor representatives in preparation for the first official round of presentations at the end of the March. This year’s U-Challenge also incorporated several peer mentors for our teams. Two mentors, Emre Demirel and Spyridon Tsolas, participated in the previous year’s U-Challenge and their team took 1st place in the graduate level. Each of them mentored 3 of our undergraduate teams while Daniel Hirsch, a graduate student in Construction Science, mentored the 3 graduate teams.
The first round of presentations was held on March 26 and 27 where 6 undergraduate and 3 graduate teams gave their findings regarding consumption in their assigned hall. These teams also proposed improvements in infrastructure and student engagement to conserve utilities and energy. At the end, 5 teams (2 graduate and 3 undergraduate) progressed to the final round of the competition on April 16. Teams that did not progress were invited to come to the final round and view the finalist presentations while enjoying a catered banquet from Chartwells featuring a vegetarian and locally sourced menu. The panel was comprised of judges from various departments and business, including senior administrators, faculty, and industry professionals. Despite only a few of the teams proceeding to the final round, all 9 teams who participated in this year’s U-Challenge have the chance to see their recommendations implemented at Texas A&M in the future.
Sponsors, Siemens and Johnson Controls, provided several events for our students to attend as part of the challenge. Johnson Controls gave a presentation on February 26 discussing what the energy and utility fields look like today for young adults preparing to enter the workforce. They also reviewed future internship and career opportunities. Siemens provided two energy engineers, Curtis Boecker and Ming He, to take students on separate tours through Hobby Hall. Students had the chance to go through a basic energy survey and learned more about the mechanical and electrical systems they are currently researching.
This year’s U-Challenge recommendations will be added to an expanding spreadsheet and will be examined each fall semester for potential implementation. Many of these have already been incorporated into educational materials placed in the halls and ongoing renovation projects. Some of the current ideas presented in this year’s challenge include light switch card keys, utility apps for students to review real-time consumption data, and a variety of events resident advisors can host to promote sustainability awareness.
Above: Energy engineers from Siemens take students through an energy survey of Hobby Hall. These experts took teams through the mechanical rooms and even examined the roof to show students what it is like to work in the field. Special thanks to Kevin Liu, Curtis Boecker, and Ming He from Siemens for coming to give our students hands-on experience.
Above: Students listen to a presentation by Johnson Controls in Hullabaloo Hall. Special thanks to Michael Mann and Phillip Purpich from JCI for coming out and speaking to our student team members!
Above: Judges, team mentors, and staff gather for a group photo. From left to right: Mr. Daniel Hirsch (Construction Science), Dr. Zofia Rybkowski (Construction Science), Mr. Bryce London (Siemens), Mr. Phil Purpich (Johnson Controls), Ms. Kelly Wellman (Office of Sustainability), Mr. Jim Riley (UES), Ms. Chareny Rydl (Residence Life), Mr. Tom Reber (Division of Student Affairs), Dr. Yasuko Sakurai (UES), Ms. Kristianna Bowles (Residence Life), Mr. Tim Murphy (UES), Mr. Emre Demirel (Chemical Engineering), and Mr. Spyridon Tsolas (Chemical Engineering). Not Pictured: Mr. Dan Mizer (Residence Life), Mr. Johnny Smith (UES), Ms. Krystin Catlin (Residence Life), Mr. Jeff Truss (Environmental Health & Safety), Mr. Jonathan Houston (Construction Science), Mr. Charlie Shear (UES)
Above: The banquet and final round of the 3rd Annual U-Challenge was hosted in Bethancourt Ballroom on April 16. Chartwells catered the event with vegetarian meals to promote a more sustainable lifestyle and diet.
Above: Team McFadden: 1st Place Graduate Level – Left to Right: Jonathan Monthe, Hasan Saeed (Team Leader), Jonathan Barnes, Oreoluwa Adetimirin, and Guillermo Lash
Above: Team Haas: 2nd Place Graduate Level – Left to Right: Sanat Kumar, Sunjeev Venkateswaran, Nutan Patil, Pallavi Kumari, and Naveen Mishra (Team Leader)
Above: Team Appelt: 1st Place Undergraduate Level – Left to Right: Jackson Evans, Mariah Chavez, Bryce Alexander (Team Leader), Jasmine Nuñez, and Aswinpraabu Anbarasan
Team McFadden: 2nd Place Undergraduate Level – Left to Right: Mosun Sogunle (Team Leader), Virginia Hinds, and Leslie Riojas
Special thanks to our amazing undergraduate team mentors! Emre Demirel (left) and Spyridon Tsolas (right) were members of the winning graduate team in the 2 Annual U-Challenge. Their guidance and expertise were invaluable to the undergraduate teams they mentored.
Biographies of Partners
Kristianna Bowles
Kristianna Bowles is the Graduate Assistant Sustainability Coordinator for Residence Life at Texas A&M University. She is pursuing her Master’s degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences with an emphasis in Youth Development. Prior to studying at TAMU, Kristianna received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.
Tim Murphy
Tim Murphy serves as an Energy Steward for the Utilities & Energy Services department in the Division of Administration. Tim graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science of Renewable Natural Resources. He spent 3.5 years in Energy Management while working for Schneider Electric, and 4.5 years in the Oil and Gas Industry in Drilling and Completion, using automation controls to increase efficiency, reduce waste, reduce cost, improve results, and enhance bottom lines. Tim’s primary areas are Residence Life Buildings.
Contact Information
For questions or concerns about the program, please contact Kristianna Bowles, Residence Life’s Graduate Assistant Sustainability Coordinator, at kristiannab@housing.tamu.edu or 979.862.3158.