Green Fee Fund

 

Applications are no longer being accepted this term.

Please check back in September 2013 for new applications dates!

 

The Green Fee Fund was established by student legislation in order to allocate a surplus in the green fee used to purchase renewable energy certificates (REC) for the Green Power Initiative during academic years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. Students in Lewis & Clark’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the Associated Students of Lewis & Clark College (ASLC), and Students Engaged in Eco-Defense (SEED) collaborated on mechanisms to manage and disseminate these funds, including:

• A Green Fee Committee to oversee the status of the surplus fund and approve any expenditure from the fund including the awarding of grants to support green and sustainable efforts:
• • Senator from ASLC: Sam Alexander
  • Student Sustainability Coordinator: Daniel Leavenworth
  • Sustainability Manager: Amy Dvorak
  • Vice President of Business and Finance (or designee): Designee – Michel George, associate vice president of Facilities Services
  • The Dean of Students (or designee): Designee — Jenn Crowder, Interim director of Student Transitions and Experiences
• A Student Sustainability Coordinator to actively engage in activities and facilitate projects between students, faculty, staff, and the broad community.
• Maintenance of an 8% “rainy day” reserve.

Why is there a surplus?

The surplus resulted from several factors including a competitive proposal process among renewable energy certificate (REC) providers, unusually low prices in the REC market, and high enrollment and participation by CAS students in the program.

In previous years, the RECs were purchased through our electricity provider. This year, in an effort to better steward student money, the committee initiated a competitive bid process soliciting quotes from several REC providers and our utility company. The information package we received from each included the location of their projects, participation in certification programs, the financial implications of our investment (e.g. what percentage of the student dollar goes into renewable projects vs. overheard for the organization), and what opportunities there might be for partnership and/or engagement.

After meeting with ASLC and further vetting the proposals, the committee decided to purchase RECs from Renewable Choice Energy. Renewable Choice is a green-e certified program with projects throughout the United States. The committee has chosen to purchase RECs in the Midwest region. This option provides students with the greatest opportunity to maximize Green Fee surpluses in accordance with their individual academic programs, institutional or professional goals, and on- or off-site opportunities for engagement.

There is no guarantee that we will continue to run a surplus in future academic years however the committee will continue to promote efficient and effective use of student Green Fee funding. For more information, please contact Amy Dvorak, sustainability manager.            

Funding

Grants will be administered on a tiered structure to provide quick turnarounds for small projects while ensuring that larger, more complex ideas have sufficient support, structure, and funding. Project proposals will not be retroactively funded including existing signed contracts, transfers of funds or other agreements for payment.

• Mini Grants of $1,000 or less: please submit the application form. 
• Mid-size Grants of $1,001 to $10,000: please submit a letter of intent prior to full application.
• Mega Grants of $10,001 to $50,000*: please submit the letter of intent and contact a committee member in advance of full application.

*projects larger than $50,000 will be considered on a case by case basis, please contact the committee directly for such requests

All allocated funds must be spent within the proposal’s approved timeline, unless otherwise approved. 

Eligibility

Current CAS students are encouraged to submit proposals that support green and sustainable efforts, broadly defined. If faculty, staff and/or LC Law or Graduate students are interested in applying, they must find a CAS student sponsor and ensure the project has a direct benefit for/on CAS student(s). Funding will not be awarded for anything the College is required by law or policy to implement. Strong preference will be given to projects that are not covered within other programs or departments at the College.

Application Process

Proposals will be reviewed monthly by the Committee and other advisers as needed. Submissions will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis and pending funding. Applicants will be notified within a week of submission review of their application status. Proposals may not be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Selection will be based on the quality of the proposed project and its fulfillment of the application criteria. The student sustainability coordinator will be available to meet with applicants to discuss grant applications prior to submission.

If you have an immediate need or opportunity, please clearly note this on your application. 

Application Criteria

Projects must be initiated by CAS student(s) and demonstrate alignment with one or more aspects of the following institutional definition of sustainability: 

Lewis & Clark College is committed to learning, innovation, and principled action on matters related to sustainability, as grounded in our educational mission to cultivate global thinkers and leaders. Our approach to sustainability will build on the best available scholarship and practice; recognize the importance and interrelatedness of ecology, economy, and equity; and operate on scales stretching from our campus to the world.

-Lewis & Clark Sustainability Council 

Components of an Application

Each application must include the following:

• General Description:
  • Which sustainability issue(s) and/or opportunities do you plan to address?
  • What is the primary vision and long-term goal(s)?
  • What specific steps will you take to attain the goals?  Describe your action plan.
• Expected costs: Mid-size to mega grants require submission of a budget form. Responsible and thoughtful budgeting will be considered in determining project feasibility and funding.
• Timeline: An agreed upon timeline is required for every project including ongoing updates.

• Participants and Stakeholders: Include the names of team members, their role in the project, affiliation with the College, any groups they are representing, etc. Include broader stakeholders groups or other partners, as appropriate.
• Educational evaluation and communication: Proposals must outline a method for evaluation following the allocation of funds.This must include some method of record keeping and/or archiving your project experience in addition to communicating this information to future students and/or community stakeholders. Preference will be given to applications with effective educational components.

Timeline  

Applications will be accepted until funding has been exhausted. 

Allocations and Pending Requests to Date

Allocations:

• Tara Brown, Sustainable Harvest Fellowship
• Miriam Coe and Michelle Moulton, Summer Positions to manage the Student LC Gardens
• Micah Leinbach, White Board Ride-Share for Students

• Micah Leinbach, NOLS Outdoor Educator semester

Looking for more information? Check out the Green Fee projects page!

 

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