Environmental Sustainability Reserve (Green Fund)

NEW: * *UW-La Crosse Green Fund Bylaws (PDF) * *


Green Fund Background Information

The Green Fund was proposed by students and passed in a student referendum in the spring of 2008 by a vote of 2222 to 275. It is a reserve funded by a $5 segregated fee levied each semester to every student. This yields about $80,000 per year.

Applications for projects funded by this money are collected and reviewed by the Joint Committee on Environmental Sustainability, then forwarded to the Segregated University Fee Allocation Committee (SUFAC). SUFAC then moves applications on to Student Senate with its recommendations. Student Senate decides upon final Green Fund application approvals.

Students, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to propose projects and funding from the Green Fund. We value innovation and cooperation- greening UW-L is something we must do together.

Green Fund Proposal Process and Criteria

Green Fund process flow chart

The Environmental Sustainability Reserve, or “Green Fund” can be used to fund projects for non-GPR facilities, including but not limited to:

  • Residence Halls
  • Cartwright Center
  • The Recreational Eagle Center
  • Whitney Center
  • Veteran’s Memorial Stadium

The fund cannot go towards:

  • Environmental Literacy (defined as educational materials such as pamphlets, books, signage, etc.)
  • Bikes, bike storage and bike racks
  • Trees
  • Landscaping not related to rain gardens and green roofs
  • Items typically included in other entities’ ongoing budgets

Projects will be judged and assessed a point value on the following criteria:

Highest Priority

  • Impact on carbon footprint: including reduced energy usage through efficiency and renewable energy
  • Visibility: that projects be conspicuous and noticeable
  • Innovation: new initiatives not typically funded by other entities

Medium Priority:

  • Collaboration with other organizations: through funding matches, joint planning, or in the execution of the project
  • Size of project: projects with greater magnitude preferred
  • Educational value: increasing student understanding of environmental issues or actions
  • Possibility for future expansion: growth from a pilot into a standing program

Other important considerations:

  • Purchasing ethics: considerations such as fair trade, etc.
  • Support of local/sustainable businesses

Please note that project proposals can exceed the amount of funds in the account at the application time. This would require earmarking funds for future spending. Proposals may range from relatively small funding to funding that exceeds the amount currently in the reserve. In that case, the proposal would be to earmark funding for future use. The Joint Committee on Environmental Sustainability reserves the right to submit its own proposals, and to recommend that all or a portion of the money be carried over to the next academic year rather than being spent.