Comment:
Hello, I recognise that the 21 plasma screens in the Union might be a useful communication tool for student activity groups etc, but did anyone consider the environmental impact of installing the screens?
I know a number of people have already raised their concerns with the Exec, but having just read the latest 'the gist' I have been prompted to comment via this form. In the 'You said, we have...' section, it is stated that 'we have installed 21 low energy plasma screens'. Please could you tell me how exactly these are low energy? Although exact figures vary, it is widely acknowledged that plasma screens use significantly more energy than the old-style cathode ray TVs, or flat screen LCDs.
Please correct me if I'm wrong and LUU's screens are in fact a 'low energy' model, although I've not heard of any...
As well as the environmental and monetary costs of installing and running things like plasma screens, by having them LUU is setting a poor example for students. Please don't try and pass them off as 'low energy'! If anything they should carry a warning...
Response:
Thanks for your feedback about the plasma screens. LUU spent some time considering the benefits of increasing our communication against the environmental impact of these screens. One of the reasons for installing the screens was to cut down on the number of posters and flyers that the Union produces, and although paper communication is still used it has been drastically minimised since September 2006. Another reason for installing the screens was to replace the old-style television monitors in some of the bars. It is a common myth that LCDs are more energy efficient than plasma – I would like to point you to Panasonic's research that clearly states that it is most likely the opposite - www.panasonic.co.uk/technology/plasma-or-lcd.html.
Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to do an 'apples to apples' comparison between CRT and LCD/Plasma due to the size limitations - for example, there are no direct view CRT HDTV’s that are over 34". There are no Plasmas less than about 42" (that most people buy). There are almost no CRT-based RPTVs less than say about 45". LCDs are mostly used in the smaller sizes, up to say 45". So, the only overlap spot would be at around 40". It's therefore "unfair" to say one technology is more energy intensive than another. As a quick comparison – the 42” plasmas installed have a power consumption of 260w and a 20” CRT Monitor draws 150w.
It is worth pointing out that the half-life of modern plasma screens is somewhere in the region of 60,000 hours. This means that after 60,000 hours of continuous use, the screen will be half as bright as when it was new. It will gradually start to lose brightness after around 20,000 hours, the half life of a CRT television or monitor is generally 10,000 to 15,000 hours; so you could get as much as four times more use from a plasma, it could be argued therefore you can avoided the eco headache of disposing of screens up to four times longer.
Another benefit of plasma screen technology is that they produce no emissions. CRT based screens are known to emit a large electro-magnetic field and even X-rays due to the high voltages required to generate a picture.
The 21 screens in the Union were provided to LUU at no cost. SUBtv own the screens and pay for the screens themselves as well as the installation, in fact they pay LUU £3,000 per year rental. On top of this SUBtv also pay for the Sky license in the bars, this is a further contribution of £2,500 per year to LUU.
In summary, the plasma screens were totally free of charge to LUU, SUBtv pay LUU £5,500 to have the screens in the building, they reduce the amount of paper communication, they last much longer than CRT screens and produce no emissions, they have also been a fantastic tool for communicating key LUU messages over the last six months.
I appreciate your concerns and welcome any further feedback you have.
Comment:
When I look up LS1 1UH on a map, it is not on Lifton Place, University Road or any where near there! I really need to know where the building is as I am not familiar with Leeds (I have never been there) and I am supposed to be coming to a gig at the 'Refectory' on the 9th of March, but I still have no idea where to go! Please help me?
Response:
LS1 1UH is the PO BOX post code for Leeds University Union. The postal code is LS2 9JT. I hope this helps.
Suggestion:
Next year, the dates for VOTING on the referendum/Union Council etc should be advertised, rather than the dates including vote counting day. Lots of people I know, including myself, missed the voting, because we thought the last day was 9th March, when actually it was 8th March. The advertisements were just a little misleading (except if you read the small print), and it could be changed for next year. Thanks.
Response:
We did five different posters as part of the communications for the Big Ballot Week. Two of these presented the week as a whole, as an important event in the Union calendar which included the count as part of the process. We also did a number of posters with just the voting dates on for the Referendum, as well as lots of emails directly to members with the voting dates on, links on the student portal, and links on our luuonline.com website.
We are sorry if at any point we did confuse the issue, and feel we did promote just the voting dates clearly enough but we will take your suggestion on board for future campaigns. Thanks for taking the time to comment on such an important Union event.
