UNT work attire standards relax as temperatures go up

Spring is shifting into summer, and with it, the temperature outside is creeping up. UNT employees have no doubt noticed temperatures inside campus buildings have also become warmer than in the recent past.

The temperature has been raised to 75 degrees in most university buildings as UNT works to conserve energy and money during this tight fiscal year. Building temperatures may vary somewhat depending on the cycle of each facility's cooling system cycle and as temperatures outside fluctuate.

In an attempt to help make UNT employees more comfortable this summer, departments are encouraged to allow faculty and staff to wear attire that is more casual when appropriate. Casual dress should not include any articles of clothing that would reflect negatively on UNT.

Richard Rafes, senior vice president for administration, says supervisors should consult with departmental chairs or directors about what is appropriate attire for employees within their department or division.

Though temperatures inside buildings are scheduled to rise substantially during non-business hours in most buildings, Rafes says every effort is being made to monitor temperatures and adjust air-conditioning start times so that buildings will be comfortable by the time employees arrive. However, the higher weekend temperatures could affect office plants, so Rafes reminds employees to be mindful of these and take steps necessary to protect them.

In addition to enduring warmer internal temperatures, there are other energy-savings tips university employees should try to follow:

• Turn off lights when you are the last person to leave an office, classroom, hallway or other room.
• Turn off your computer as you leave work.
• Use UL-listed fans when necessary to circulate air.
• Turn off window air-conditioning units at night.

BY MICHELLE HALE mhale@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Summer I enrollment dips 1.9 percent
• More changes on the way for UNT employee prescription drug plan
• Verizon donates $50,000 to UNT's TAMS
• Faculty Senate holds final 2002-03 meeting
• UNT chancellor hits the books
• First Flight Week planned to help incoming freshmen learn about life on campus
• National String Project Consortium extends College of Music funding with $10,000 grant
• UNT holds first-of-its-kind bilingual education camp for high school students
• UNT professor: New Harry Potter book will continue inspiring reading, discussion between adults and children

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