Winter is not here yet, but universities are already fearing it. “We assess the additional cost energy 100 million euros for all universities this year. Knowing that the bill is more salty if the university is an energy sieve and has research laboratories with a lot of equipment”, explains Manuel Tunon de Lara, president of france universities (formerly Conference of University Presidents).
Faced with this prospect, some universities have already taken drastic measures. The University of Strasbourg thus announced on Monday its intention to close its doors for two weeks this winter. “A third week of Christmas vacation in early January and a full week of distance learning in February” will be put in place, detailed Michel Deneken, the president of the university, in a video posted on YouTube.
The fear of cascading closures
A prospect that makes Imane Ouelhadj, the president of Unef, jump. Because she fears that the Strasbourg initiative will spread: “We can fear that other universities will decide on distance periods to save money. And we are not immune to the closure of the University of Strasbourg extending beyond two weeks ”. A concern shared by Anne Roger, general secretary of the Snesup-FSU union: “The additional costs announced are of the order of 2 to 6 million euros for each establishment. So we fear chain reactions. However, administrative closures contravene the principle of continuity of public service. » Manuel Tunon de Lara is more optimistic: “I don’t think this is a major trend, because the situation of universities is very heterogeneous. »
If the temporary closures of the universities are so feared, it is because they would have effects on the well-being of the students. “It is feared that some will drop out. Because distance education, as we saw during the Covid-19 crisis, creates inequalities: many connect to video with their laptop, which is not ideal, or encounter connection problems. , emphasizes Anne Roger. “We are shifting the problem of soaring energy costs from universities to students. But we don’t worry regarding knowing if they are well warmed up to follow their lessons,” Imane Ouelhadj says indignantly.
The Minister of Higher Education also expressed her disapproval of these drastic savings measures: “It should not penalize teaching. We are coming out of periods of Covid-19. We must keep these lessons strongly face-to-face, ”said Sylvie Retailleau on Tuesday on Franceinfo.
19°C in all rooms
To avoid closing, some universities have already thought regarding other ways to save energy: installing thermostats, placing internship periods in winter and not in spring, so that students are less there during cold periods. . The University of Bretagne-Sud (UBS) will for its part review the lighting schedules for its outdoor spaces and those for heating certain buildings. “It is also essential that establishments install electricity meters in each building to know where to act first,” says Manuel Tunon de Lara.
Most universities also want to set the thermostat to 19°C in all rooms, like the University of Bordeaux. This “should reduce fuel consumption by 5 to 7%”, underlines Dean Lewis, the president of the university. “But this temperature cannot be maintained everywhere. And when you take a course in a room at 14°C, it’s difficult to stay focused, ”says Anne Roger. “Teachers will teach in emergency blankets and students will shiver from the cold. You cannot succeed in your studies in such conditions,” adds Imane Ouelhadj.
A budget extension urgently requested
The brainstorming of the universities will continue: “A meeting with the presidents of universities is planned for this Wednesday on this subject”, indicates Manuel Tunon de Lara. But not sure that’s enough. “The state must help universities for this winter”, he believes. “Universities should not be allowed to present a deficit budget, but the Ministry of Higher Education should grant them a budget extension”, insists Anne Roger. A plea heard by Sylvie Retailleau: “We are going to support our establishments”, she declared on Franceinfo on Tuesday. Without further details.
Measures are also called for in the longer term: “We must accelerate energy renovation work,” insists Imane Ouelhadj. Some colleges have already started. Like UBS, which has invested 10 million euros in the energy rehabilitation of its assets. This should eventually allow him to see his energy bill reduced by 20%…
