Sustainability Fee Initiative
Alyssa Halle | Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/14/09 Section: Op/Ed
The UNCW Sustainability Committee is proposing a student sustainability fee. Sustainability fees have been initiated at many universities to fund projects and education efforts. Establishing a sustainability fee would enable UNCW to better accomplish its strategic goals of providing a campus that is attractive, functional and safe, while enriching the intellectual climate and student experience.
"Sustainability" is not just a buzz-word for environmental issues, but addresses the complexity and interrelationship of environmental, economic and social justice issues. Establishment of a student sustainability fee will empower students, faculty and staff to actively participate in building a more endurable community, securing a funding mechanism by which UNCW can meet its strategic goals and even exceed expectations, becoming a leader among our peers and in our community.
The Sustainability Fee Initiative proposes a $5 per student per semester fee to commence during the 2010-11 academic year. This amount is in line with sustainability fees at other universities. Estimated based on 2008 full-time student enrollment, with projected annual enrollment increases, this fee will generate approximately $115,000 annually for the Sustainability Fund. This fund is managed by the UNCW Sustainability Committee, a committee appointed by the chancellor and composed of faculty, staff and students.
Funds will be allocated to support education and student outreach projects, coordination initiatives, student mini-grant projects and long-range planning/capital improvements. To receive funding, projects must demonstrate the strongest support for university goals, greatest return both in terms of cost savings and cost avoidance, and greatest impact on student learning.
Short-term funding goals include education and outreach, increased sustainability signage, the mini-grant program, and assessing the current status of sustainability at UNCW using the Sustainability Tracking and Assessment Rating System (STARS). Mid-range goals include determining the feasibility of large-scale modifications to operational projects by using performance contracting to analyze possible strategies for increased building efficiency.
"Sustainability" is not just a buzz-word for environmental issues, but addresses the complexity and interrelationship of environmental, economic and social justice issues. Establishment of a student sustainability fee will empower students, faculty and staff to actively participate in building a more endurable community, securing a funding mechanism by which UNCW can meet its strategic goals and even exceed expectations, becoming a leader among our peers and in our community.
The Sustainability Fee Initiative proposes a $5 per student per semester fee to commence during the 2010-11 academic year. This amount is in line with sustainability fees at other universities. Estimated based on 2008 full-time student enrollment, with projected annual enrollment increases, this fee will generate approximately $115,000 annually for the Sustainability Fund. This fund is managed by the UNCW Sustainability Committee, a committee appointed by the chancellor and composed of faculty, staff and students.
Funds will be allocated to support education and student outreach projects, coordination initiatives, student mini-grant projects and long-range planning/capital improvements. To receive funding, projects must demonstrate the strongest support for university goals, greatest return both in terms of cost savings and cost avoidance, and greatest impact on student learning.
Short-term funding goals include education and outreach, increased sustainability signage, the mini-grant program, and assessing the current status of sustainability at UNCW using the Sustainability Tracking and Assessment Rating System (STARS). Mid-range goals include determining the feasibility of large-scale modifications to operational projects by using performance contracting to analyze possible strategies for increased building efficiency.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Elisa Barrett
posted 10/15/09 @ 9:21 AM EST
I hope this is an extension of the initiative started by the Ecoclub at the beginning of the semester. They should get credit for bring this to the attention of the administration. (Continued…)
Diane Reed
posted 10/20/09 @ 11:50 AM EST
Well done, Alyssa!!
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