Nursing recognizes the benefits of 'going green' Chris Kelsey, information technology director at the University of North Dakota College of Nursing was recently awarded a certificate of recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The award, presented by the Energy Star program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was in recognition of a commitment to a better environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions as a participant in the Low Carbon IT Campaign. The College of Nursing technology department attempts to implement green programs whenever possible. One effort that is definitely paying dividends includes setting computer monitors in our computer lab to shut off after 10 minutes of inactivity. This small change can save over $3,700 annually in electricity costs and helps protect the environment. All new computers the College puts into service will have this same power saving option activated, increasing energy savings further. Attempts are also being made to purchase only Energy Star Rated PCs, which use more energy efficient components, usually at the same cost as normal PCs. In addition to implementing green programs at the College, public health nursing students partnered with the Grand Forks Public Health Department and Wal-Mart to bring the news to the Grand Forks community. During National Public Health Week, April 7-13, these groups held a light-bulb exchange at the local Wal-Mart store, exchanging incandescent bulbs for an Energy Star bulb. Also an Energy Star event, this event allowed our students to take the lead in a public health effort on behalf of the environment for National Public Health Week. -- Becky Cournia, Alumni & Development Officer, Nursing, beckycournia@mail.und.edu, 777-4526