And the Winners Are ...

Oberlin’s 2013 Ecolympics—a three week competition between dorms to reduce electricity and water use—took place from April 5 to 26. The winners are:

Dorm electricity winner

Keep Co-op, with a 57.7 percent reduction. Their prize is an ice cream party at Cowhaus Creamery and shower timers.

Dorm water winner

Old Barrows with a 45.8 percent reduction. Their prize is two ice cream parties at Cowhaus, as well as a wonder washer and dryer and five drying racks for the laundry room.

Kitchen co-op electricity winner

Kosher Halal Co-Op with a 14.3 percent reduction. They will win an ice cream party at Cowhaus.

Dorm participation winner

Old Barrows

Honorable mention

For the first time we are giving an honorable mention award. This award goes to Fairchild for coming in second in dorm water reduction and for high participation. As the honorable mention, Fairchild will receive a water refill station.

Top 10 participants

In addition to the raffle prizes given away at each event, the 10 students who attended the most events also win prizes. Prizes include a Dr. Pepper mountain bicycle; Canopy Verde bags valued at about $100 each; glass water bottles; Enterprise pack, including a messenger bag, hats and other materials; mugs from the Pottery Co-op; and more. These winners will be contacted by e-mail to claim their prizes.

Overall, the dorms saved 10,070 kWh of electricity – the average amount of electricity an American home uses in an entire year (or three homes for a year in Europe). The college also saved 54,537 gallons of water, which is equivalent to about 1,500 10-minute showers! In fact, Oberlin College was one of the biggest water reducers nationwide during the competition and was recognized nationally on May 1 for this feat.

Read more about the 2013 Ecolympics on the Office of Environmental Sustainability's website.