University Cost Savings

In response to the economic recession, there has been a broad-based effort to identify administrative cost savings, efficiencies, and revenue enhancements. This effort, led by the Cost Savings Working Group, has included the examination of a wide range of University operations with the goal of protecting core academic programs and strategic priorities.

For example, Princeton will spend approximately $32 million on utilities, including gas, electricity, water, and sewer payments, this year. In order to lower our utility costs, we will work as a community to reduce our energy consumption by 26% over the next seven years. At current expense rates, 26% would equal an annual savings of $8.5 million.  The consumption reduction will come from a combination of initiatives. These include central plant efficiencies; one-time investments to retrofit buildings for balanced heating, cooling, and lighting usage; improvements in technology, such as automated computer shutdowns and more energy efficient power supplies; and sustainable changes in the behavior of our students, faculty, and staff, such as turning off lights, shortening shower times, and taking the stairs rather than an elevator. As of spring 2009, we have achieved approximately $600,000 in savings from these types of initiatives.

Please use the two links provided below to view the initiatives identified by the working group and a list of simple reminders for those who have asked, "What Can I Do?"

• Identified Initiatives
• "What Can I Do?"

• President Tilghman's
     Letters to the Campus
     Community 
• Town Hall Presentation
     October 6, 2009
• Faculty/Staff Vacancy
     Management
• Voluntary Incentivized
     Retirement Program
     Completed
• Purchasing Savings Tools
• FAQs
• Submit Your
     Questions/Feedback