Center for Energy Research/Education/Service ( CERES ) is an interdisciplinary academic support unit at Ball State University focused on enhancing research and education on issues of energy usage and conservation . The center was established in 1982 as an addition to the existing College of Architecture and Planning . The center currently states the following as its mission : " To maintain ongoing programs for the examination of state-of-the-art energy conservation and end-use practices ; To investigate alternative solutions to contemporary energy problems ; To develop projections and implications of the results of these solutions ; To devise means of implementing these ideas ; To disseminate findings to the appropriate publics — professionals , educators , policy planners , students and laypersons . " Concerns about environmentalism and conservation became popularized in the 1970s following the successes of the inaugural Earth Day that allowed for a sort of fusion between radical counterculture ideas regarding environmentalism and more mainstream ideas presented by politicians such as Gaylord Nelson . In addition , energy crises , such as the 1973 Oil Crisis and the 1979 Three Mile Island accident caused concern about the way contemporary energy sources were being utilized , prompting some to begin research in alternative forms of energy or better forms of energy conservation . In response , Ball State University started their efforts to implement energy education into the college ; in 1979 , with funding from the Indiana General Assembly , the university began planning of the Center for Energy Research/Education/Service , with construction beginning in the summer of 1980 . Simultaneously , Ball State University began planning for incorporating this sort of education about conservation and energy education into their curriculum , including proposed courses in environmental architecture and in utilizing solar energy . In 1982 , CERES was completed and opened for usage for Ball State 's campus . Since its inception in Ball State 's campus , CERES has served as a means to incorporate energy education into Ball State 's campus . By 1986 , even , this had become one of its missions , with the Center becoming focused on placing Ball State as a leader in reaching a " sustainable future . " The Center also had national significance ; from the period between 1985 and 1988 , CERES was one of only five test laboratories accredited by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation for their solar research . Going forward , the center has remained an integral part of energy and conservation research and education , both on Ball State 's campus and in the greater Muncie community
Three Mile Island accident
Three Mile Island accident
Ball State Center for Energy Research/Education/Service