Environment

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign increased its sustainability fee from $5 to $14 this year after students voted to increase the fee. Like many campuses, the University of Illinois created a fee-funded sustainability fund to pay for green projects on campus.  This year, the student sustainability committee, which allocates the funds, received far more requests than its budget could fund.  A plan to install a wind turbine on campus is also stalled over funding. More from the

One year in, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks is struggling to spend a new green fee effectively.  As more and more campuses add fees for energy conservation, renewable energy and other environmental sustainability projects, Alaska’s experience highlights key questions schools will need to answer. Last year, students approved a $20 per semester fee to fund conservation and renewable energy.  The University pledged to match the fee resulting in roughly $500,000 per year to fund sustainability projects. The fee that was approved, however, was intentionally vague and the total b

The student government at the Townson University adopted a “green fund” last week to support student-initiated sustainability projects.  The fund will be created from a $2 SGA fee increase approved two weeks ago.  Any student will be able to propose a project, from bike rental programs to LED lighting.  While a number of campuses around the country have green fees or sustainability funds, Townson is hoping to lead the way for the University of Maryland system.  Elliot Glotfelty, the student that initiated the SGA resolution, also wanted to ensure students had more of

In an effort to address global climate change and its impact on humans, animals and ecosystems, Whitman College is conducting its second annual greenhouse gas audit. The school aims to use information gathered to map out the steps to carbon neutrality.   Last year’s audit calculations were based on mere estimation due to lack of available data.    “The hope this year is to continue to do a more comprehensive, detailed audit that it is based on data rather than speculation and projection,” says Jed Schwendiman, associate to Whitman’s president.   Auditors will analyze

A new fee at Western Michigan University would give undergraduates a direct role in funding campus sustainability projects and making more student projects affordable, depending on how students vote on a Sustainability Fund Initiative referendum this week. If passed, students with a plan for a green renovation project could request money from the fund to finance the idea. The money would come straight from a new fee from those on the main campus and any student could potentially use it, said graduate student Matt Hollander. “We are currently on the radar for sustainability nationwide,” s

Students of Trinity College turned heads last weekend as they biked 90 miles to promote a high-speed rail service.   Beginning their trek on Saturday, over a dozen students rode from Stamford through New Haven and up to Hartford. They began close to the Metro-North route along the shoreline, and later followed state’s proposed high-speed rail route.   "The scenery on the back roads was great — it's a great way to build awareness," says senior Maggie Thomas.   Thomas and her peers led the Connecticut Public Interest Research Group on the tour. The group is calling for a bet

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

This week, Western Michigan University is launching a month-long Eco-thon in its 11 residence halls as part of an effort to reduce electricity usage on campus and encourage more responsible energy use habits among students. In the past few years, the dorm energy competition has become popular green reform strategy at many schools around the country. Throughout the month of February, WMU residence halls will compete to see which one can reduce its electricity use the most. The winning residence hall will receive a number of prizes including: a party hosted by WMU administrators, a commemorat