Berkeley, Maryland Students Pass Green Initiative Funds
U.C. Berkeley and the University of Maryland have joined a growing list of schools that boast student-funded sustainability projects.
TGIF is now an official part of campus life at UC Berkeley. The Green Initiative Fund, which would raise student fees by $5 each semester and direct the funds toward sustainability programs on campus, passed in a campuswide referendum this week.
The University of Maryland's student body also passed a similar measure, a $12 fee increase that will be used to convert the campus energy supply to entirely clean energy sources.
Berkeley's initiative passed by an overwhelming 69 percent, while Maryland's student newspaper said their referendum won by 3,803 votes.
The projects at Berkeley that would be eligible for funding under TGIF would have to meet the following guidelines:
The University of Maryland's student body also passed a similar measure, a $12 fee increase that will be used to convert the campus energy supply to entirely clean energy sources.
Berkeley's initiative passed by an overwhelming 69 percent, while Maryland's student newspaper said their referendum won by 3,803 votes.
The projects at Berkeley that would be eligible for funding under TGIF would have to meet the following guidelines:
- Measurably reduce UC Berkeley's impact on the environment
- Have publicity, education and outreach components
- Received all necessary written approval by appropriate campus officials
- Are not already mandated by law or UC policy (TGIF projects go above and beyond current legal or policy requirements)
- Demonstrate the greatest environmental impact reduction for the least cost
- May repay the Fund
- Encourage student participation
