Office of Energy Management

Before the start of Intersession Energy Savings Initiative, please read through the materials posted on this website and contact Indu, Energy Officer, at 518-442-3183 or [email protected] if you have any questions/concerns.

• Be sure your Card Access is active so you can enter the building(s) where you plan to work.
• Talk to your supervisor about your work assignment and location and/or any vacation time off during this period.
• Make sure all the windows are closed and latched. Close the shades or blinds in rooms that are not going to be occupied during Intersession.
• Turn off lights, computer peripherals, and projectors and shutdown/unplug other plugged-in devices in classrooms, labs, and conference rooms that will not be used during the Intersession period.
• Shutdown/unplug any special equipment/device that can be safely turned off and is not required during the Intersession period.
• Make sure to turn off lights and unplug desktop printers, task lighting, chargers and other plugged-in devices in your own office, especially if you will be away from your office for an extended duration.
• Clean out refrigerators in the break room and unplug if not needed.
• Close the sash on fume hoods when not in use. Make sure no chemicals or hazardous materials and stored under the hoods.
• If you have any concerns/questions about this Initiative or would like to request exemption from the Initiative for your space/building due to mission-critical work that cannot be performed remotely or at an alternate location on campus, or know of additional opportunity for energy savings, please contact Indu, Energy Officer, at 518-442-3183 or [email protected].

Download a PDF version of Steps to Prepare.

2026-2027 Calendar

The 2025-2026 Intersession Energy Savings Initiative will be held from Wednesday, December 16, 2026, to Sunday, January 17, 2027. 

Note: Fall 2026 final exams end on Tuesday, December 15, 2026. Residence halls close on Wednesday, December 16, 2026, and reopen on Sunday, January 17, 2027. Spring 2027 classes begin on Wednesday, January 20, 2027.

Energy Conservation Periods

• Wednesday, December 16, to Friday, December 18, 2026
• Monday, December 21, to Wednesday, December 23, 2026
• Monday, January 4, to Friday, January 8, 2027
• Monday, January 11, to Friday, January 15, 2027

Limited Operations Periods

• Saturday, December 19, to Sunday, December 20, 2026
• Thursday, December 24, to Sunday, January 3, 2027
• Saturday, January 9, to Sunday, January 10, 2027
• Saturday, January 16, to Sunday, January 17, 2027

Download a PDF version of the 2026-2027 Intersession Energy Savings Initiative Calendar.

General Service Levels

• Heat:
  • Energy Conservation Periods: All occupied areas maintained at normal temperatures (68 degrees Fahrenheit) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. only. Temperatures set back (55 degrees Fahrenheit) in unoccupied areas and during off-hours.
  • Limited Operations Periods: Temperature set back to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Refer to building specific schedule for exemptions.
• Air Handlers / Exhaust:
  • Energy Conservation Periods: On from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. only or per building schedule. Certain labs operational 24/7. Units serving unoccupied spaces turned off.
  • Limited Operations Periods: Units turned off.
• Interior Lights: Normal lighting in private spaces controlled by occupant as needed, reduced lighting in hallway, lobby and stairs. Lighting off in Lecture Centers, classrooms, tower penthouses and other common areas not in use.
• Power: Power on as normal. Breakers shut off to known unoccupied areas only. Stress University community to unplug when not in use.
• Space Heaters: Strictly prohibited.
• Domestic Hot Water: On from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. only. Unites serving unoccupied spaces turned off.
• Exterior Lights: Site lighting at normal operation. Athletic field and court lights off.
• Building Access: Card swipe only.
• University Library:
  • Energy Conservation Periods: Open to public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Limited Operations Periods: Closed.
• Event Scheduling: For events scheduled outside of building operating hours, review with Indu, Energy Officer. Contact Indu at 518-442-3183 or [email protected].
• Dining Services: Limited. Visit the University Auxiliary Services website for more information.
• Athletics & Recreation Facilities: Same as posted schedule.
• Residence Halls: Normal operations in occupied areas. Lighting / power shut down and low temperatures only in unoccupied areas. Back to normal operations on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Building-level Plans

Building level plan will be posted soon.

2027-2028 Calendar

The 2027-2028 Intersession Energy Savings Initiative is tentatively scheduled from Wednesday, December 15, 2027, to Sunday, January 16, 2028.

Note: Fall 2027 final exams end on Tuesday, December 14, 2027. Residence halls close on Wednesday, December 15, 2027, and reopen on Sunday, January 16, 2028. Spring 2028 classes begin on Wednesday, January 19, 2028.

Energy Conservation Periods

• Wednesday, December 15, to Friday, December 17, 2027
• Monday, January 3, to Friday, January 7, 2028
• Monday, January 10, to Friday, January 14, 2028

Limited Operations Periods

• Saturday, December 18, to Sunday, January 2, 2028
• Saturday, January 8, to Sunday, January 9, 2028
• Saturday, January 15, to Sunday, January 16, 2028

Download a PDF version of the Tentative 2027-2028 Intersession Energy Savings Initiative Calendar.

Service Levels

• Heat:
  • Energy Conservation Periods: All occupied areas maintained at normal temperatures (68 degrees Fahrenheit) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. only. Temperatures set back (55 degrees Fahrenheit) in unoccupied areas and during off-hours.
  • Limited Operations Periods: Temperature set back to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Refer to building specific schedule for exemptions.
• Air Handlers / Exhaust:
  • Energy Conservation Periods: On from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. only or per building schedule. Certain labs operational 24/7. Units serving unoccupied spaces turned off.
  • Limited Operations Periods: Units turned off.
• Interior Lights: Normal lighting in private spaces controlled by occupant as needed, reduced lighting in hallway, lobby and stairs. Lighting off in Lecture Centers, classrooms, tower penthouses and other common areas not in use.
• Power: Power on as normal. Breakers shut off to known unoccupied areas only. Stress University community to unplug when not in use.
• Space Heaters: Strictly prohibited.
• Domestic Hot Water: On from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. only. Unites serving unoccupied spaces turned off.
• Exterior Lights: Site lighting at normal operation. Athletic field and court lights off.
• Building Access: Card swipe only.
• University Library:
  • Energy Conservation Periods: Open to public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Limited Operations Periods: Closed.
• Event Scheduling: For events scheduled outside of building operating hours, review with Indu, Energy Officer. Contact Indu at 518-442-3183 or [email protected].
• Dining Services: Limited. Visit the University Auxiliary Services website for more information.
• Athletics & Recreation Facilities: Same as posted schedule.
• Residence Halls: Normal operations in occupied areas. Lighting / power shut down and low temperatures only in unoccupied areas. Back to normal operations on Saturday, January 16, 2025.