In the spring semester of 2013, Campus Dining Services will eliminate the use of table tents in all of their dining centers.

The table tents are the paper promotional pieces RSOs and other organizations distribute to advertise their events. This step is the next in an effort to make the campus more sustainable. The information screens will be substituted for the paper tents.

Between Linkins and Watterson, there are approximately 200 dining tables. The current rule allows up to five table tents on each table.

“During the 2011-2012 academic year, approximately 1,375 table tents were used per week, or about 22,000 per semester. Table tents cost up to 57 cents each and the elimination of the table tents in favor of the info screens could save groups on campus an estimated $12,450 per semester,” Tracy Widergren, marketing coordinator for Campus Dining, said.

Just as paper costs money to make and purchase, the televisions cost money to purchase and run. However, as they are a part of the overall energy costs, it is difficult to tell just how much those TVs end up costing Campus Dining.

“New technologies that have emerged recently are consuming less power, however we’re adding new things such as bigger screens, so it counteracts it somewhat. I don’t know what the average screen size was 10, 15 years ago, but I’m willing to bet it was substantially smaller than where it is right now,” Matt Aldeman, senior energy analyst for the Center for Renewable Energy, said.

Antonio Vargas / Daily Vidette Staff Photographer: Campus Dining Services will eliminate the use of table tents in all of their dining centers. The elimination of the table tents is in favor of the info screens which could save groups on campus an estimated $12,450 per semester.

The electrical energy that powers these TVs comes from a power grid. The power grid is a network of wires that transports energy. The grid is fueled by primary energy sources.

“Electricity is what we call a secondary form of energy. That’s in contrast to a primary source of energy … A primary source of energy would be something like coal or natural gas,” Alderman said.

Illinois is roughly split between nuclear and coal energy. The large use of nuclear energy is unusual. The current debate over nuclear energy is finding a good way to remove the waste.  

“The information screens at Watterson were a part of the renovation that took place in 2009-2010, and therefore, part of the project cost.  The cost of each television is an investment up front, but does not cost the estimated $12,000+ per semester the campus was spending on paper table tents,” Widergren said.

RSOs and student groups are welcome to use the information screens to promote their events. The process and policy for use is available on the Campus Dining website at Dining.IllinoisState.edu. Reservations for screen usage can be made by filling out an Information Screen Request Form. Those forms are available on the website.

The add will run from Monday through the following Sunday. Groups are renting the space for a week. The information screens will only be for the use of university related groups and events.

“The elimination of table tents is a movement that has been seen at universities nationwide. It is definitely a sustainable initiative, but it also has to do with guest comfort as well. Table designs are smaller, and the more table tents on a table means less ‘dining space.’ We often see students stack and move the table tents out of the way to make room for their dishes, so the table tents are not even being read in many cases,” Widergren said.