New LED lights illuminate campus

 
With the university already switching to a four-day school week to save money by cutting energy costs, the installation of new LED lights around campus could save even more while assisting with student safety.
“The school received a grant to update it’s lighting on campus,” said Demetrius Sumner, president of Southern University Student Government Association.
The new light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will replace the incandescent lights that used to be up all over campus.
“I lived on campus and I’m glad to see Southern is making a better living environment for its students,” said Chardonnay Spears, a mass communication major from Queens, N.Y.​
The incandescent lights used 60 watts of electricity an hour, and had a low life span averaging only 1,200 hours.
“These lights also upgrade campus scenery because they are much more modern lights,” said Sumner.​
The new LED lights are semiconductor devices that convert electricity into light. These bulbs are more efficient than incandescent using only 6-8 watts an hour allowing them an additional ten to twenty days of energy.
The scenery isn’t the only thing these LED lights will improve, as they will also enhance campus safety for university students.
Brandon Dumas, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs said it is part of his job to ensure the protection of students while they’re at Southern trying to gain an education.
With these bulbs lasting up to 50,000 hours using little energy, the university will save money on electricity.
The lights have been put up in heavy traffic areas such as the entry part of Harding Boulevard, the student union parking lot, and lining the side of the administration building.​​
“Students will be more conscious of their surroundings and thus they will be safer,” said Sumner.
​​Many students have classes after 5:30 p.m. and good lighting is essential when they’re walking back and forth on campus.
Michelle Yolks, a mass communication major from Baton Rouge said, ”I have night classes and I’m not always walking with someone, so I would like for these lights to be put up in as many places as possible.”​​