Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez accepted a $74,331 check on behalf of the University from SMUD Jan. 20, for the energy efficiency of the University’s new residence hall. The ceremony will took place in the new hall, American River Courtyard, which opened in August of 2009.

SMUD participates in Savings by Design, a statewide program that rewards projects that exceed the state’s energy standards. American River Courtyard’s suite-style student residence design exceeded those standards by 34.8 percent, says Nathaniel Martin, Sacramento State’s energy conservation coordinator.

The University’s residence hall attained its savings through overall design, which includes windows, walls, mechanical equipment, lighting systems and building controls, says Martin. As an example of efficient controls, if the air conditioner is on in a room and someone opens a window, the AC automatically shuts off.

The money will go into a trust for future conservation projects in residence housing.

For more information, call the University’s Facilities Services at (916) 278-6242. For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs Office at (916) 278-6156.