Energy rationing reaches French universities
The University of Strasbourg in France confirmed that it will close its doors for an additional two weeks this winter to save energy, in a decision criticized by trade unions.
In a video directed to students posted on YouTube, Michel Denkin, head of the Alsatian faculty, explained that “a third week of the Christmas holidays will be established in early January and a full week of distance learning in February,” when the beginning of the year will begin.
The school tentatively scheduled for January 3, 2023 on January 9, a week after the administrative closure, without providing any education.
The university, which had nearly 57,000 students in 2020-2021, is experiencing an explosion in its energy bill, shifting its spending on electricity, gas and heating on the grid from €10m in 2021 to €13m in 2022 after a budget adjustment granted for an extension.
An additional 1.5 million euros, and for 2023, 20 million euros are included in the temporary budget.
This, and Michel Denkin said that “during the two weeks mentioned for the closure, employees will be required, “with the exception of justified exceptional cases”, to carry out their activities from their homes, by working remotely,” according to what was reported by “France 3 Régions”.
And “among other savings measures, heating, set to 19°C as recommended by the government, will be turned on “as late as possible,” and a communication campaign will be deployed “in favor of environmental gestures for a more sustainable planet”, as confirmed by the President of the College.
