Students at the University of Washington recently proposed a Campus Sustainability Fund to improve the school’s environmental sustainability and to encourage student leadership in "green" projects on its campus. If approved, it will be the largest university sustainability fund in the nation.

The student-led Service and Activities Fee (SAF) Committee submitted the proposal to the Board of Directors of the Associated Students of the University of Washington. The $685,000 fund would come from a $5-per-student increase in fees per quarter, or the equivalent of “the price of two tall lattes per quarter," according to a UW press release.

Nationally, 94 schools have introduced similar student "green" fees to finance more environmentally sustainable projects on their campuses.

The fund would be aimed primarily at financing a wide range of student projects that encourage student leadership and involvement. The fund will also place an emphasis on education for students, faculty, and staff on how they can create a more environmentally responsible campus culture.

"The Campus Sustainability Fund is a major, student-led investment in a greener more sustainable campus," said student Justin Hellier, member of Campus Sustainability Fund Working Group.

Funds would go towards projects like installing solar panels, and be divided between small, quarterly, and longer-term projects.

"We decided to funnel the CSF through the Services and Activities Fee because it was democratically accountable to the student body," said Campus Sustainability Fund Working Group member Katie Stultz. "It is student-led, so students are ultimately responsible for making the decisions."

The University of Washington already has a reputation for being environmentally conscious. Last year, the University was listed second on the Sierra Club's national ranking of the "greenest" schools.

But despite “green” campus culture, some on ASUW are wary of further raising student fees when budget cuts to the University and tuition hikes seem imminent.

The proposal for the CSF comes shortly after the recent introduction of the College of the Environment at the University.

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