Talking Stick - July/August 2008 - (Page 10)

Just In What’s Biting You? With the explosion of the bed bug problem in the past five years, everyone from pest control operators to college and university housing managers has been seeking information about bed bugs and their control. The available information has been fragmented and somewhat outdated. The most recent book on the subject was from 1966, and it did not address the issue with current products and technology. Larry Pinto, Richard Cooper, and Sandy Kraft have provided current information and guidelines for bed bugs with Bed Bug Handbook: The Complete Guide to Bed Bugs and Their Control. This is the single most comprehensive publication on bed bugs published in the past 50+ years. The authors have provided the information in eleven chapters and a number of appendices containing action checklists. Below are a few chapter highlights. In Chapter 5, “Business and Management Considerations,” the authors provide information on public relations, legal responsibilities, and how to avoid bed bug crises. Two other important subjects are how to choose a pest control company and how much this service may cost, factors that are always significant to college and university housing managers. The authors have also included a section on business aspects for pest control firms that at first would seem not to apply to housing operations. However, this information can provide insight into how pest control firms approach their business models in respect to bed bug issues. When housing officers see Chapter 7, “Bed Bug Prevention,” they will probably want to skip the other chapters and proceed directly to it. The subject is covered in great detail, and information is provided on a variety of settings from hotels to apartments. One of their most important recommendations is that it takes a concentrated effort and a plan to prevent bed bugs – there is no magic silver bullet. In fact, education may be the single most important preventative measure available. The authors are to be commended on their timely release of a book that will impact a large number of people. The last book published on the subject, in 1966, was principally a scientific text book for the study of entomology and did not lend itself well to the needs of the average technician or housing manager. This new handbook approaches the subject from a more practical point of view. The backgrounds and the expertise of the authors mesh well, making the publication easy to read and the methods simple to implement. Though not directed specifically to the college and university housing community, the handbook is still timely and useful. — Wayne Walker 10 Talking Stick Going Green for the Team The playing field isn’t the only place where athletic conferences are competing anymore. The College and University Green Power Challenge, sponsored and tracked by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), compares the greenpower purchasing of colleges and universities based on collegiate athletic conferences. The winners for the 2007-2008 academic year have just been announced, and the Ivy League is the reigning champion of this competition. The Ivy League purchased a total of 222 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green electricity, followed by the University Athletic Association with 147 million kWh and the Big Ten Conference with 134 million kWh. The EPA also ranked individual conference leaders. The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia purchased 193 million kWh of green electricity, making it the largest academic buyer of green power in the country, purchasing 87 percent of the Ivy League’s total green power. New York University carried the University Athletic Association to their second place victory, buying 132 million kWh. Higher education institutions combined purchased nearly one billion kWh of green electricity for this academic year, making up 7 percent of all voluntary green-energy purchases by corporations, nonprofit institutes, and government agencies tracked by the EPA. Schools interested in competing in the 2008-2009 College and University Green Power Challenge can start by partnering with the EPA through their Green Power Partnership. To qualify, a conference’s member schools must be purchasing a combined total of at least 10 million kWh of green power. To learn more and to view the full results of the College and University Green Power Challenge, visit www.epa.gov/greenpower/ initiatives/cu_challenge.htm. http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/initiatives/cu_challenge.htm http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/initiatives/cu_challenge.htm

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Talking Stick - July/August 2008 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Calendar When Politics Come to Your Town Support System Conversations First Takes Reporting Out New Members Snapshot

Talking Stick - July/August 2008

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