For University students participating in the second annual UNPLUG competition, less is more. Unplugging unused electronic appliances, turning laptops on sleep mode and taking shorter showers are among a list of changes many students pledged to make this month. Nineteen on-campus dormitories and apartments are participating in the campus-wide energy reduction competition sponsored by the College of Engineering. The month-long competition began Monday night with a kick-off event at the 459 Commons and The 5 dining halls. Matt Wyatt, ECO co-president and natural resource conservation sophomore, said the purpose of the kick-off event was to make sure students know about UNPLUG and encourage them to sign pledges. Students In Free Enterprise representative Cory Vogel, information systems and decision sciences senior, handed out UNPLUG cards at the 459 Commons. “We had an average of 18 percent energy reduction last year, and we’re looking to hit at least that this year,” Vogel said. “We hope to receive 1,000 pledges for UNPLUG.”Students can pledge support on the Residential Life Web site. Students who pledge will be entered in a drawing for Paw Points. The competition resulted in approximately $13,763 in savings last year among participating communities. East Campus Apartments won the competition with a 35 percent reduction from the same month a year earlier. “We’re trying to be good stewards of our resources, both on campus and after we leave campus,” said Catherine David, Communications Coordinator for the Department of ResLife.  Students saved 172,034 kWh in last year’s UNPLUG — enough to power 20,000 light bulbs, 7,000 computers and 200 homes for one month. “Most students will probably just blow this competition off,” said Lauren Petmecky, pre-nursing freshman. “I want to do my part because most students probably won’t change their routines, and someone has to do it. Personally, I take really long showers, and I also plan on turning off the water while brushing my teeth.”The program encourages students to unplug any electronics or appliances including cell-phone chargers, iPod speakers, microwaves and printers while not in use. ResLife also suggests students adjust thermostats to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter whenever possible. Royce Delord, architecture sophomore, pledged his support in the 459 Commons. Delard said he also plans on taking shorter showers and turning off his lights more often. Educational programs will be held March 15-17 for each community participating. The competition will conclude March 22, and the winner will be announced March 26. Students from ECO, SIFE and the Freshman Leadership Council will determine progress by reading each residential hall and apartment’s meters.Students checked the meters Monday and will read them once in the middle of the competition and again at the end of the competition, David said. Denise Scribner-Newell, Department of Sustainability manager, will calculate the differences in energy with her staff. Results will be posted on Channel 74, Facebook and in each participating residential hall, David said. The winner will be determined by community that reduces its energy consumption the most from this time in 2009. “We’re trying to make students aware of how very small changes in our daily routines can make a big difference,” David said. The winning community will be awarded with a celebration in their building March 30 at 7 p.m. David said different campus partners donated prizes such as totes, T-shirts and flash drives. Other prizes will be provided by LSU Dining, Smoothie King and Verizon.”The College of Engineering has been a great partner in this program because energy conservation is a huge part of what they do,” David said. “We’re trying to increase awareness among students.”Students have also maintained strong involvement in the competition’s organization. It started as a student-run competition and isn’t simply run by administrators, Wyatt said. —-Contact Sabrina Trahan at [email protected]