UT released the new energy conservation policy Dec. 1, 2008 for the Knoxville and agricultural campuses requiring indoor air temperatures to be set at 68 degrees for heating and 76 degrees for cooling.

As part of the plan, faculty and staff were required to remove all personal appliances, including space heaters and refrigerators. Staff and administration were also told to stop adjusting thermostats in buildings and to keep windows and doors closed.

Many students said they've noticed the temperature change. "The classes I have in the Haslam Business Building are a lot colder than other classrooms I am in this semester," Jesse Walker, senior in marketing, said.

Gerald Wade, a junior in English, said he's also noticed the temperature adjustment. "Now, I am comfortable in class with my jacket on," he said.

While many faculty are aware of the new plan, many are unsure of the exact requirements. When asked who was regulating the temperature in the Communications and Information Building, several professors were unsure.

Chandra Eskridge, journalism and electronic media administrative assistant, said she is disappointed in the new policy so far. Due to her location, she is exposed to outdoor temperatures as students open and close the office door, which is located near a building entrance.

There aren't heating units where the administrative assistants' desks are located. Therefore, the heat regulation of that area is controlled through the heating units in the faculty offices. In a 'catch 22' the faculty are keeping their doors shut tight as they are instructed to do by the new energy conservation plan.

"It was really cold at first. I must be getting used to it though because I am not as cold as I thought I would be," Eskridge said.

She added the facility services are controlling the temperature of the campus buildings.

The heating and cooling units located in the journalism faculty offices have controls that read "low," "medium" and "high." It is unclear how the specific degree in temperature is selected and on which setting the faculty should be using to follow the rules.

While uncomfortable for some, the policy aims to help the University achieve the goals of its "Switch Your Thinking" campaign, which calls on UT faculty and staff to help reduce campus energy consumption by 10 percent this year.