Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Green Fund come into existence?
Approval of the Green Fund was given by student referendum in the spring semester of 2013. The vote was over 70% in favor of the Green Fund.
How much money is available in the Green Fund and where does it come from?
The Green Fund is financed solely by students. 12 dollars of segregated fees ($6 per semester) are collected from the enrolled UW-Steven Points students. This amount totals to around $100,000 available for the Green Fund to use annually.
What is the Green Fund Steering Committee and what do they do?
The Green Fund Steering Committee shall be composed of the Steering Committee Chair (SGA Environmental and Sustainability Affairs Director), one SGA seat, a Student Sustainability Coordinator seat, two RHA seats, a non-voting faculty seat, a non-voting seat for the university Sustainability Coordinator, and the five voting seats elected by the Student Organizations of UWSP. The Steering Committee, once filled, is responsible for vetting and approving projects seeking Green Fund monies. They will also be tasked with creating a one and three-year strategic vision for the Green Fund.
What kind of projects can use Green Fund money?
The Green Fund is intended to encourage and fund projects that positively affect the sustainability of the UWSP campus community. The fund has enough monies to encourage long-term, high visibility projects that affect the way our campus uses energy and our shared natural resources. Projects are meant to encourage collaboration between students, student organizations, faculty, and the tremendous amount of expertise we have in the community at-large. The Fund cannot be used for conferences or travel expenses and there is a limited amount of funding allocated to project outreach and education.
Why should I care?
Simply put, students should care about the Green Fund because it is their money at stake. Encouraging involvement from all campus stakeholders is necessary for the success of this program. The Green Fund allows UWSP students to take an active role in leading, planning, and implementing large scale sustainability projects that will not only expand and enhance the reputation of this university, but also the community and state of Wisconsin. It will provide excellent training for an increasingly competitive job market and will help to establish professional connections that will continue to pay dividends well after graduation.
In Summation
Students of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point have been vested with a tremendous opportunity for involvement that will positively affect the lifestyles for their peers and subsequent generations of students. The key point to remember is that this is a student fund – voted for by a huge margin of students, organized and lead by students, and utilized by students with vision.