Do It in the Dark: How Northeastern’s Residence Halls Compete for Sustainability 

By Michael Earls with the Climate Justice and Sustainability Hub 

At Northeastern, October is as synonymous with energy-saving as it is with Halloween. This is thanks to the “Do It in the Dark” campaign organized by the Husky Environmental Action Team (HEAT), where residence halls go head-to-head in a friendly but meaningful energy-conservation competition. For the entire month of October, students living on campus are pushed to rethink their habits: turning off lights, unplugging devices, and making small, but impactful changes. The reward? Bragging rights, a potted plant, and a new mindset about what it means to live sustainably. 

Mark Bates, energy manager at Northeastern, has been involved with the campaign for seven years, primarily tracking energy-use data to help declare a rightful winner. For him, the numbers only tell part of the story. 

“Even one conversation—like someone seeing a flyer and asking, ‘What’s this?’—can spark change,” he said. “It starts a dialogue, especially with freshmen, about how they interact with energy. That’s a huge first step.” 

This year, that dialogue began with a barbecue. HEAT, Northeastern’s largest student-run sustainability organization, set up shop in the freshman quad, flipping veggie burgers and handing out flyers. Students passing by stopped to learn about the competition, ask questions, and sign up for updates. It was the first successful barbecue in years—weather and scheduling conflicts had dampened previous attempts—and HEAT’s Vice President of Organizational Outreach, Orla Molloy saw the event as a sign of renewed enthusiasm. “It was great to talk to people who didn’t even know the campaign existed,” she said. “They left excited to participate.”

HEAT’s Kickoff Barbecue in 2021. Photo provided by Orla Molloy 

While the primary focus of the campaign is energy conservation, it has also historically included a sexual health component, reflecting HEAT’s broader commitment to student well-being. “There’s a pun intended with the name,” Molloy explained. In past years, the campaign has partnered with SHARE (Sexual Health and Reproductive Education) to provide information about birth control and sexual health resources on campus. Molloy emphasized the importance of continuing to connect sustainability with student health. “It’s not only about energy-saving,” she said. “It’s about creating conversations that matter.” 

Participation this year was high, with eight of the ten competing residence halls cutting their energy consumption below expected levels. Melvin Hall claimed victory, reducing its energy use by 12%. They relished their victory with a plant potting prize, where residents received pots, seeds, and soil—provided by the Climate Justice and Sustainability Hub—to grow their own dorm-friendly greenery. 

“The prize sends a great message,” Bates said. “You’ve shown you can take care of your space responsibly, and now you get to take care of something living. It’s a full-circle moment.” 

Behind the scenes, Bates works to ensure that each hall’s energy use is fairly measured. In newer buildings like East Village, advanced metering systems provide minute-by-minute data. Older dorms, however, require manual readings—Bates takes a notepad and records the numbers himself. “It’s a bit more labor-intensive,” he said, “but it works.” 

Not everything is easily accounted for. Shared spaces like kitchens and mailrooms can skew numbers, making it harder for certain dorms to compete. And sometimes, the fluctuations are unpredictable. “One year, Stetson West was near the top. This year, they hit 103% of expected usage,” Bates said. “Was it the students? Did I miss an extra event in the cafeteria? Sometimes, you just don’t know.” 

Still, the campaign continues to evolve, and its impact is undeniable. Bates has seen energy use during the competition clearly trend downward over time, a sign, he believes, of a shifting campus culture. 

“From the time I was a student here to now, it’s clear: the mindset has changed. People care more, they’re more aware, and they’re willing to make small changes that add up.” 

For Molloy, those small changes are the heart of the campaign. During the opening days of the campaign, she shared practical tips with students: turn off lights when you leave a room, unplug devices when they’re fully charged, use the microwave efficiently. “Even small things can make a big difference,” she said. Bates shared that sentiment, adding, “It’s not just about saving energy—it’s about understanding your role in a bigger picture.” 

With the 2024 campaign drawn to a close, there is no doubt HEAT will continue guiding Northeastern towards a more sustainable, energy-efficient future. For Bates, the real success lies in the habits students take with them beyond the competition. 

“It’s not just about this month,” he said. “If we can spark even small changes that last, that’s where the real impact happens.” 

Written by Michael Earls, December 4th, 2024

Photo by Orla Molloy