How many people does it take to change a light bulb in Woodbridge and Watt residence halls?

No joke. More than 600 inefficient incandescent bulbs were replaced with integrated compact fluorescent lighting during a spring 2006 student-managed lighting conservation effort.

Students who live in those buildings on 115th between Riverside and Amsterdam picked up the energy-efficient replacements in their lobbies during a program implemented by the student councils for Engineering and Columbia College, working with the University Housing Council.

The students offered to accelerate Columbia’s lighting conservation program by replacing bathroom, torch and desk lights with the more energy efficient bulbs.

For example, not only will a 27-watt compact fluorescent bulb last about 9,250 hours longer than an incandescent bulb, it emits just as much light. Additionally, the halogen floor lamps are being replaced with overhead flourescent fixtures that provide better, more energy-efficient light.

Lighting upgrades in Schapiro and Hogan Residence Halls have also been completed. In Academic Year 2007, students plan to expand their program to the rest of Morningside’s residence halls, perhaps moving on to administrative and academic buildings as well.