By Kirk Johannesen, The Republic
johannesen@therepublic.com
IUPU-Columbus is offering more than 70 online classes for the fall, making coursework convenient and cost-effective.
If gas prices continue to rise, expect more online classes and other creative ways to offer courses while reducing energy and fuel costs, said IUPUC Vice Chancellor Jay Howard.
"Some of that is driven by costs and the political climate, when building buildings is tough to do," Howard said.
Across the nation, local governments, businesses and schools are exploring ways to save money, including switching to four-day work weeks.
Utah's governor has mandated four-day work weeks for most state employees beginning Aug. 4.
The theory: Working longer hours on those four days increases effi ciency, while eliminating a fifth work day reduces energy costs for state offices and fuel costs for employees.
Four-day school week?
Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. has considered four-day weeks for the administration during the summer and for students during the school year.
Superintendent Philip Deardorff said FRHC could add two hours of instruction to school days Monday through Thursday and close the school on Friday. Instead of school days from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., they could be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
That change would provide the same number of hours of instruction, and save money. Deardorff estimates the change would reduce fuel costs for FRHC by 20 percent because buses, which get 8 mpg, would be used less.
One problem, Deardorff said, is that the state Legislature mandates 180 days of school. Longer school days also could push back start times of extracurricular activities. Gaining support from parents and teachers would be crucial, Deardorff said.
"This is not a quick fix or would happen immediately," he said.
Government savings
The four-day work week is on the minds of local government officials, too.
"We're kicking it around and would love to do it, but for a city it's a little diffi cult," Columbus Mayor Fred Armstrong said. People rely on government as their earpiece and want ample opportunity to be heard or to seek services, Armstrong said.
Reducing the number of days city offices are open - even with longer hours - could be a tough sell. Armstrong said some departments could operate on four-day weeks.
"We're looking at every area for ways to save," Armstrong said.
The city already saves on energy costs through earlier office hours during the summer when schools are not in session, he said.
Focus on flexibility
Jim Plump, executive director of Jackson County Industrial Development Corp., believes companies are looking at a four-day work week, but switching to it depends on work orders and production schedules.
Cummins Inc. hasn't made any changes on a broad scale, but flexibility is given to various groups to schedule employees in the best ways, said Mark Land, director of public relations.
Flexible schedules allow for a better worklife balance and meet the needs of business, Land said.
Personalized schedules and company perks aimed at retaining employees at LHP Inc. also save on energy costs, said Ryan Hou, chief executive officer of LHP Inc.
Employees can work from home as needed, which reduces the number of commutes and gas consumption.
Every Monday, LHP hires a stylist to come to the office to give free haircuts, saving employees the time and gas to get them. "It's a way to provide a little extra service to our people, which helps with retention and helps them save money," Hou said.