Environmental Sustainability Reserve (Green Fund)

**NEW** Spring 2013 Green Fund application (.docx). Apply today! Applications are DUE April 8th. Please email Ian Wright at wright.ian@uwlax.edu with any questions.

* *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. Each semester an amount up to $7 will be collected from each student and placed into the Green Fund, totaling $60,000 per semester

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 both non-GPR and GPR facilities, including but not limited to:

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

The fund cannot go towards:

  • 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
  • Collaboration with other organizations: through funding matches, joint planning, or in the execution of the project

Medium Priority:

  • 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. Funds may be earmarked for large projects not to exceed Sixty percent of the funds collected during the academic year. Funds for a single project may only be earmarked for four academic years. In the event that the Green Fund Referendum fails, the earmarked funds for ongoing projects will continue to be collected until the full balance of the project has been paid in full. During this time, no further proposals will be accepted. 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.