About

About

Green Action Fund Five Pillars

  1. Reduction of ecological footprint

    Submissions propose methods to reduce the ecological footprint of our campus through projects that will either a) change campus physical operations b) promote sustainable behavior among UCCS students and/or c) raise awareness about sustainability. Projects will demonstrate a decrease in our ecological footprint by targeting the following arenas of sustainability: energy sources, carbon emissions, recycling and waste, water and energy usage, food, individual behavior, social equity, living systems (biodiversity), pollution or other arenas proven to be of importance in sustainability and reducing our campus ecological footprint.
  2. Increased student involvement

    Projects demonstrate a clear initiative to engage students. Student involvement opportunities include, but are not limited to: volunteerism, planning and project management, skills training, research, leadership roles, advocacy, or student jobs. Projects should aim to create social cohesion, ideally across an interdisciplinary environment, by demonstrating an active involvement of students.
  3. Education and outreach

    Projects demonstrate a clear contribution to educating others about sustainability. Education and outreach opportunities include, but are not limited to: course integration, knowledge sharing, outreach events and programs, campaigning, independent studies. Projects provide a visual representation and raise the profile of sustainability on campus. Additionally, projects would provide linkages between UCCS and the greater community. Advertising and publicity must focus on raising awareness among students at UCCS.
  4. Long-term feasibility

    Projects will demonstrate a clear plan for the project term from start to finish and identify opportunities for sustained operation by working closely with members of facilities, administration and/or faculty. Proposals demonstrate an awareness of long term needs to ensure a sustained impact of this project on campus physical operations or individual behavior.
  5. Scope of impact at UCCS

    Projects demonstrate a broad impact by integrating sustainable practices with increased student involvement and education. Proposals will assess the number of students impacted by the project as well as summarize quantifiable economic and environmental benefits.
Mission

The aim of the Green Action Fund is to reduce the ecological footprint of UCCS and promote sustainable environment, social and economic values through a variety of student-sponsored projects. 

History

In 2008, Brandon James, while serving as UCCS SGA President, proposed the Solar Fee, which the UCCS student body passed in April 2008. The goal was to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels with a simple $5.00 student fee. The Solar Fee funded three solar projects before it was repurposed in 2011 to fund a broader range of sustainability projects. In Spring 2011, an amendment to the $5.00-per-semester student Solar Fee Referendum passed, expanding the purpose of the solar fee from strictly solar energy projects to include a broader range of sustainability-related projects on the campus. In Fall of 2011, the Green Action Fund formed, approving the first projects in Spring of 2012. In the Spring of 2013, the sunset of the solar fee was extended and the name changed to the 'Green Action Fee' in a special election.