USFSP Green Project

N D E R M A J O R C H A N G E S:

S F S Ps R i d e T o w a r d s a M o r e S u s t a i n a b l e F u t u r e

TATIANA MIRANDA, MICHAEL METCALF, STEPHEN ROEHM, ANTHONY RIVERA, BRENT SCHUMACHER

GREEN BULLS
WHITE PAPER

University of South Florida SP

Dr. Francis Tobienne, Jr
Professional Writing
ENC3250.797S15

USFSP Green Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary

Introduction

History

3-5

USFSP Undergoing Changes

USFSP/ FGCU

The Student Green Energy Fund

SGEFs Completed Projects

Fitness Center

Solar Doks

Silverado Hybrid

Water-bottle Filling Devices

Other Sources of Funding

8-9

SunSense Grant

Bay Mini-Grant

Student Environmental Awareness Society

Gardening Club

10
10

Latest Proposals to SGEF

11

Conclusion

11-12

Annotated Bibliography

12-14

Works Cited

14-15

Glossary of Terms

15-16

USFSP Green Project

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

USFSP Green Project Initiatives

There are some major things happening at the University of South Florida Saint
Petersburg. USFSP has taken on multiple initiatives in order to improve their carbon footprint.
Some of USFSPs major initiatives are the Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF), the Student
Awareness Society (SEAS), and the Garden Club.
It is through these student-run initiatives that USFSP is having a huge impact on not only its
campus, but everyone involved. These three initiatives allow students to focus their time and
energy into making USFSP a better place to live. It is through these initiatives, and others, that
USFSP has brought together its students, faculty, and community in order to provide everyone
with an environmentally sustainable campus.

INTRODUCTION

A Greener Tomorrow
USFSPs Go Green movement has really taken off since its introduction in 2011. With
programs and organizations such as the SGEF, SEAS, and the Garden Club, USFSP is really
starting to make a difference in what it truly means to Go Green. Almost four years ago, the
Student Green Energy Fund was created as a way for students to take their green ideas and
make them a reality. At the low cost of one dollar per credit hour, SGEF has been able to fund
numerous projects over the years. With organizations like SEAS and the Garden club, students
and the community are able to get together to make for a greener tomorrow, while the funds from
SGEF facilitate the change that is necessary for that greener tomorrow.

HISTORY

Vastly Growing Efforts

Not only did the University of South

communitiesit is also one of the nations

Florida have the first College of Global

top green colleges. Back in 2009, based on

Sustainability in the United Statesfirst

The Princeton Review Guide, the first

implemented in 2010 for the purpose of

complete guidebook solely dedicated to

sustainable research, education, and

campuses across the nation that have been

USFSP Green Project

given green ratings, USF, along with all

as well as conferences such as the annual

USF campuses, including USFSP, was

Campus and Community Sustainability

ranked among the 286 out of 697

Conference designed to promote a

environmentally responsible schools chosen

sustainable future. "All of these initiatives

for its above average commitment to

really are working towards changing the

sustainability.

mindset and make them aware and actively

As a testament to the schools hard

work and dedication to creating a healthy,
green environment for their students and
faculty, USFs top ranking score is an

engage in sustainable practices, says

Kebreab Ghebremichael, director of the
Office of Sustainability.
Recognized as a separate entity

honorable one. It is a direct reflection of

within the University of South Florida

USFs strong history of sustainable projects,

System, the University of South FLorida St.

programs, activities, achievements, and

Petersburgs efforts to greening up their

initiatives of those the school hosts. It is an

campus are far more recent. Voted in 2011,

honor to be singled out for inclusion in the

the Student Green Energy Fund, a fund for

recent Princeton Reviews Guide to Green

green energy projects, was USFSPs first

Colleges, which was prepared in conjunction

step towards the commitment to the Green

with the highly respected U.S. Green

Project. And it was only up until last year

Building Council. Our inclusion is testament

that USFSP became a signatory of the

to the hard work and steely dedication of

American College and University Presidents

numerous students, staff, faculty,

Climate Commitment, an organization aimed

administrators, and alumni over the past few

at colleges and universities that have

years to make USF a cleaner, greener place

committed to sustainability efforts for the

to live and work, says Christian Wells,

purpose of encouraging these institutions to

director of the USF Office of Sustainability.

continue promoting their research and

USFs sustainability efforts and

achievements have largely grown since the

efforts to students.
However, though recent, USFSPs

implementation of the USF Tampa Master

push towards sustainability is vastly growing

Plan in 1995, and each year the campus

and its efforts towards sustainability are here

spends thousands, if not hundreds of

for the long run. And since universities that

thousands, on environmentally friendly

sign the American College and University

installations and projects such as charging

Presidents Climate Commitment are

stations, solar panels, water refill stations, a

pledging to complete at least two actions, of

rainwater harvesting system used to flush

many listed, as part of the commitment to

toilets, and programs it offers in water

reducing greenhouse gas emissions within a

sustainable tourism and sustainable energy,

year and implementing an institutional plan

USFSP Green Project

within two, USFSP will noticeably undergo

Movement. This has fueled our community

many new and fast changes within the years

to build a movement and become stewards

to come as part of their commitment to

of the environment, says Brandi Murphy,

informing about and promoting for the Green

SEAS president.

USFSP

Undergoing Changes
According to the PCGS section on the USF website, which focuses on Global
Sustainability, USF has made some drastic changes, of which some include, extensive
monitoring, implementation of standards in building insulation values for walls, roofs, windows,
motor and equipment efficiencies, mechanical systems insulation and controls for both HVAC and
lighting. Another change was the overall Conservation: they replaced the lamps they used with
lamps approved by the Green Light program; cost efficient purchasing of natural gas through gas
transportation contracts has saved $7.7 million in gas costs; and currently, a new project is in
motionreplacing incandescent traffic lights with LED traffic lights.

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USFSP / FGCU

Following the Green Initiative

A campus in constant comparison with USFSP is FGCU in Fort Myers, Florida. This
campus was constructed in 1997 with an already green initiative" in mind. An abundant of trees
surround the FGCU campus to give a natural air and all bridges on campus are made from
recycled material. Their trash bins are also made of recycled materials, each with separate
receptacles for waste and single-stream recycling. USF, being a campus that was established in
1956, is a campus that was constructed in a time where a green campus was not a focus at all.
Comparing our campus to FGCU has not only provided USFSP with a great exemplar of a green
campus to follow, but also a great competitor that will continue to push USFSP in making more
changes for a greener campus.

USFSP Green Project

The Student Green Energy Fund

At USFSP, the Student Green Energy Fund
started back in 2011. USFSP ensured that the students
had a major voice throughout this project by making 50%
of the committee, students of USFSP. The Student
Green Energy Fund accumulated about $300,000 over
the course of three years intended for renewable energy
and other efficient projects on campus. Some of the
projects that have been put into effect over the years are
solar panel installations, multiple recycling centers
(computers, batteries, Mobile phones, Etc.), and lowpower computer hardware which automatically power
off. Also, at USFSP, the campus purchases recycled paper and then recycle any used paper for
all campus computer needs. On campus, the Student Awareness Society, which conducts beach
clean-ups and plantings along Bayboro Harbor, plant native trees and plants on campus and
along the beach to enhance the ecosystem and reduce erosion.

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SGEF
Completed Projects
Since its implementation at USFSP in 2011, The Student Green Energy Fund has funded
several projects on behalf of its going green cause. SGEF projects comprise of environmentally
sustainable equipment that are intended to conserve energy, reduce energy costs, promote
renewable energy technologies, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Projects already in effect
include a power generating gym, solar-powered charging stations, a hybrid vehicle in proper
place of Waterfront programs, and water-bottle filling stations.

USFSP Green Project

Fitness Center
Proposed in 2012, SGEF approved the
installation of energy-producing cardio
equipment in the now-called Green Cardio Loft
located on the second floor of the Student
Fitness Center. Ellipticals, Woodway Curve
treadmills, and Green Machine bikes are all
non-electric, plugless machines equipped in the
loft. Powered by the user, these machines
successively convert that output (human
energy) into electricity, ultimately powering the
machine. Located in the Fitness Center, the SportsArt reader, a device that tracks and records
the amount of energy produced by the machines, reads that a generated amount of about 27
kilowatts of energy is produced hourly.

Solar Doks
Also funded by the SGEF, two Solar Doks and the
Solstice, solar powered charging units made from recyclable
materials (milk jugs, plastic bottles and aluminum), allow
students to charge their portable devices in an environmentally
sustainable way. The charging units are equipped with outlets
powered by solar panels for students to plug in their digital
devices such as cameras, recorders, laptops, and gaming
devices, all while enjoying the outdoors. USB ports are also
featured to charge cell phones and tablets. As for day to night
time use, energy trapping batteries charge the ports in
conjunction with the solar powered LED lights during the day,
providing students use of it at night.

USFSP Green Project

Silverado Hybrid
SGEF has also funded a Silverado hybrid
for Waterfront trips and sailing team regattas. Its
purpose: to provide fuel-efficient transportation of
equipment and people for less gas expenses and
emissions. An estimated $1,300 in fuel costs will
be saved and 6,395 lbs of CO2 will be reduced
annually.

Water-bottle Filling Devices

Thanks to SGEF, several water-bottle filling
devices have also been installed across the campus.
These bottle filling stations are a quick, clean, and green
way to refill your water bottle rapidly with cool, filtered
water for your convenience and the environments benefit.
These refill stations were installed, and essentially
designed, to mitigate the amount of plastic bottle waste in
the environment. An estimated 1500 plastic bottles will be
saved annually as a result of their use.

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Other Sources of Funding

SunSense Grant
Other sources of funding have also contributed to the
going green movement at USFSP. A recent Duke Energy
grant has provided USFSP with an energy efficient and money
saving 100 kW solar photovoltaic system, which has been
positioned atop the schools parking garage. The awarded

USFSP Green Project

SunSense grant also comprises of a one million dollar fund intended to subsidize research to
explore solar energy production and storage in conjunction with the new battery systems.

Bay Mini-Grant
Constantly flowing into Bayboro

essentially a net attached with buoys in front

Harbor, trash, such as cans, bags,

of the drainage pipe which would prevent

cigarettes, and numerous other objects,

trash debris from drifting into the bay. We

created a large waste problem. Much of this

problem originates from the citys pipeline,
which carries trash collected from the city
that is dumped right into the harbor, and
eventually, into the bay. The goal of the
Student Environmental Awareness Society
was to unite students to make a difference in
the USFSP community by maintaining the
school beach, Bayboro Harbor, and
surrounding waterways. Feb. 7, 2011 The
Student Environmental Awareness Society
at USF St. Petersburg recently received a
$3,500 Bay Mini-Grant from the Tampa Bay
Estuary program for the installation and

call it a Watergoat because goats eat

anything, said SEAS president Stephanie
Lawler. Once or twice a week students
would go out in canoes and clean out the
Watergoat. Before the Watergoat was taken
into effect, there was trash all over the
harbor. A month or two later, afer its
installation, no trash was to be found. SEAS
students have removed nearly 2,250 lbs of
trash from the harbor. Unfortunately, the
Watergoat is no longer there due to a heavy
summer rain storm which damaged the net;
it was soon after removed. They plan on

maintenance of a 75-foot Watergoat that will

installing another highly improved

help keep trash and pollutants from the city

Watergoat, but as of right now, money

out of Tampa Bay. The Watergoat was

needs to be raised for one.

USFSP Green Project

SEAS
Another great group that is pushing our school toward a more clean and friendly
environment is called SEAS or Student Environmental Awareness Society. This society promotes
environmental awareness on campus, as well as within the community by planning eco-friendly
activities to celebrate the earth. We are not a group to force ideas down [peoples] throats, but to
hopefully give them the opportunity to understand who we are as an environmental awareness
group, said SEAS President Solange Gorleku. One of these activities held to promote awareness
throughout the community is Earth Hour. This event calls for an hour without technology or
electricity starting, to promote saving energy during that hour. The campus will shut off all lights
and SEAS will be hosting an outdoor neon themed party with glow-in-the-dark field games for
everyone to enjoy.

Garden Club
The Garden club at USFSP began
back on November 15th, 2011 when they
started to build the Bayboro Garden right
behind the Piano Man building at USFSP.
The Garden was built so that students
could build a connection with their food.
Within the Bayboro Garden, there are 19
raised beds, each planted to be used for
companion planting. Companion planting
repels rests, promotes pollination, and
increases crop production. The Garden club has dedicated their time and efforts to not only make
USFSP a healthier place to eat, but a greener place to live. The pollination that this garden helps
promote helps to fuel the ecosystem around USFSP. And by doing so, the Garden Club is doing
their part to making the community a greener place to live.

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USFSP Green Project

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Latest Proposals to SGEF

The SGEF is looking towards the

and a bin for recycling. The fourth proposal

future. As of March 30th, 2015, there have

was projected by Meghan OQuinn. Her plan

been five new proposals that have been

is to add a total of three new Solar Doks to

submitted to SGEF, and the voting for them

the campus. She proposes that one Solar

is planned for two weeks as of the previous

Dok should be outside residence housing,

date. According to Jennifer Winter, the

while the other two be positioned outside

project that will be selected must meet all

the library. Audrey Goeckners proposal.

the criteria, and can only be funded by the

money allotted for this semester. The
following new proposals are not all going
to be implemented, but one, or more than
one, may be selected. The first proposal
was submitted by student Kaitlin McKeever.
She wants to install LED lighting throughout
the gym, as well as replace the equipment
downstairs in the fitness area with all new,
more energy-efficient equipment that is

Goeckner wants to bring composting to

made from recycled materials. The next

USFSP by purchasing a composting

proposal comes to us from Mike Leggitt. His

machine called Earth Tub. Composting

plan is to install LED lights for the new

takes raw materials that would be normally

recreation field. By installing these new LED

considered waste and turns it into soil that is

lights, USFSP will save thousands of

rich with nutrients. This soil can then be

kilowatts a year on energy. Mike Leggitt also

used throughout campus.

proposed the idea of increasing the number

of recycling stations on campus from 20 to
24. Each station consists of a bin for trash

Conclusion

USFSPs Future
The Go Green movement at USFSP has become such a success in less than 5 years.
Since its introduction, they have completed numerous events that have brought a greener
tomorrow to its community. Such events include, but are not limited to: installing solar docks

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USFSP Green Project

made of recycled materials, installing water bottle filling devices, and reduced CO2 emissions by
funding a Silverado Hybrid for waterfront trips. The SGEF, and other major fundings, have
facilitated change hand in hand with other organizations such as SEAS and the Garden Club.
SEAS, with events such as Earth Hour, have helped push USFSP to becoming the green
community it is today. They educate students on the importance of being eco-friendly. The
Garden Club, and their Bayboro Garden, give students an outlet for their passion towards
environmentally sustainability. With everyone working together and fighting climate change with
old and new solutions, USFSPs future looks greener than ever.

...........................................................

Annotated Bibliography
Blais, Jessica. "Duke Energy to Invest $1 Million in USFSP Research Project."University of South Florida
St Petersburg. USFSP News Center, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
This article is about Duke Energy investing $1 million to set up solar panels on the roof of the 5th Avenue
Parking Garage in downtown St. Petersburg. This is touted as an opportunity to manage energy costs as
well as promoting sustainability on campus. The solar array will be one of the largest and most efficient in
the city.
Crawford, Kathleen. "GW Planet Forward Innovators of Sustainability." Florida Gulf Coast University:
Embedded Sustainability. The George Washington University, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.
This website puts a primary focus on Florida Gulf Coast University and how they are centered around a
green campus. They speak in the video and text on how the campus was built to be a green campus.
They focus on how the campus uses solar energy, how the bridges are built around the campus from
recycled materials and how over half of the land that the school is built on is a conservation area. They
also focus on how electricity is generated to run the campus. This source was used to compare on how
USF should model the way they want to change their campus and how we can adopt some ideas on how
FGCU is currently operating their campus.
"Green Initiatives." Undergraduate Admissions. 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.
The Go Green movement at USFSP or the Green Initiatives is a combination of various efforts being
undertaken by students in and around the city. These projects include: student initiatives; the Green
Energy Fund; environmentally friendly computing; and Student Environmental Awareness Society.
Environmental Stewardship is one of the universitys six core strategic goals.
June, Karlana. "USFSP Heads West for Sustainability Conference." University of South Florida St
Petersburg. USFSP News Center, 21 Nov. 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.

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This article is about 6 students from the Student Environmental Awareness Society at USFSP traveling to
Portland, Oregon. The purpose of going to Portland was to attend the national conference of the
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). This trip was a highly
educational experience and adds to the education level of the members of the SEAS at USFSP.
Arish, Courtney. "Gardening Club Looks to the Future." The Crows Nest. N.p., 03 Dec. 2012. Web. 23
Mar. 2015.< crowsneststpete.com/2012/12/03/gardening-club-looks-to-the-future//>.
This article is about the USFSP Gardening Club and its mission. The club is working with professionals
that are conducting research on barrelponics. Other students in the club are participating in aquaculture,
fluid dynamics and solar growing methods. The group is still looking to expand its membership and
presence in the community.
Patel, Dr. Kiran C. "PCGS Patel College of Global Sustainability USF." Recycle Mania. Patel College of
Global Sustainability, 1 Jan. 2015. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.
This website is provided by and approved by the University of South Florida. This website lists the current
ways that USF is a green campus. They focus on monitoring, commissioning, conservation, recovery and
renewables. This website also tends to focus on future projects that are in the pipeline to make USF more
of a green campus and the amount of money that the school is currently saving by finding more efficient
ways to power the campus, have hybrid busses for transportation, and use more efficient light bulbs
throughout campus.
"Students Earn Grant to Enhance Harbor Clean-Up Efforts." University of South Florida St Petersburg.
USFSP News Center, 7 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
This article is about a grant the Student Environmental Awareness Society at USFSP received to install
and maintain a 75-ft watergoat. The purpose of the watergoat is to help keep trash and pollutants out of
Tampa Bay. The team will try to attend to and maintain the system once a week and may vary depending
on weather and precipitation amounts.
"USF St. Petersburg Introduces Car-sharing Program." University of South Florida St Petersburg. N.p., 12
Feb. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.< http://www.usfsp.edu/blog/2013/02/12/usfst-petersburgintroduces-car-sharing-program/>.
This article talks about USF St. Petersburgs new and first car-sharing program. This new style of
transportation offers registered students, and some non-students, the ability to rent a car for a few hours
or even a whole day. This program is brought to the USFSP community in partnership with WeCar by
Enterprise Rent-A-Car. This article talks about all of the great features of this program and how is will be
beneficial to the local community.

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USFSP Green Project

Usfspconnect. "The Garden Club at USF St. Petersburg." USFSP Connect. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.usfspconnect.com/the-garden-club-at-usf-st-petersburg/>.
This webpage offers a look into what USFSPs Garden club is all about. It talks about how the group
came to be. It also talks about its plans for companion gardening and how its a place for students to be
able to practice their green thumbs.
Wehunt, Emily. "The Latest Proposals to the Student Green Energy Fund." The Crows Nest. N.p., 30 Mar.
2015. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. <http://crowsneststpete.com/2015/03/30/the-latest-proposals-to-thestudent-green-energy-fund/>.
This page gave us the brand new proposals that were submitted to USFSPs Student Green Energy Fund
(SGEF). These ideas were submitted by students who want to make the future greener at USFSP. There
are 5 new proposals that were suggested. There were proposals for new LED lights to be placed in
certain areas of the school, a proposal new solar docks, a proposal for new recycling stations, and a new
idea that may very well bring composting to USFSP in the near future.

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Works Cited
Funke, John. "Power from 93 Million Miles." The Crows Nest. 11 Feb. 2013. Web. 29 Mar. 2015.
<http://crowsneststpete.com/2013/02/11/power-from-93-million-miles/>.
McCann, Nancy. "SGEF Sponsors "green" Idea Drive." The Crows Nest. 19 Mar. 2013. Web. 28 Mar.
2015. <http://crowsneststpete.com/2013/03/19/sgef-sponsors-green-idea-drive/>.
"Patel College of Global Sustainability | USF |." Patel School of Global Sustainability RSS. 2015. Web. 18
Mar. 2015. <http://psgs.usf.edu/usf-office-of-sustainability/initiatives/energy/ (Links to an external
site.)>.
Starling, Amanda. "SEAS Plans Earth Friendly Events." The Crows Nest. 22 Feb. 2012. Web. 29 Mar.
2015. <http://crowsneststpete.com/2012/02/22/seas-plans-earth-friendly-events/>.
Unknown. "Green Initiatives." Undergraduate Admissions. 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.usfsp.edu/undergrad/green/ (Links to an external site.)>.
Unknown. "Fitness Equipment at USF St. Petersburg Requires Only Calories." USFSP Connect. Web. 27
Mar. 2015. <http://www.usfspconnect.com/fitness-equipment-at-usf-st-petersburg-requires-onlycalories/>.

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Unknown. "USF St. Petersburg Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF)." USFSP Connect. Web. 30 Mar.
2015. <http://www.usfspconnect.com/usf-st-petersburg-student-green-energy-fund-sgef/>.
Unknown. "USFSP News Center Students Earn Grant to Enhance Harbor Clean-Up Efforts." University
of South Florida St Petersburg. 7 Feb. 2011. Web. 27 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.usfsp.edu/blog/2011/02/07/grant-harbor-clean/>.
Unknown. "Watergoat USFSP SEAS Initiatives." Web. 28 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.tbeptech.org/CAC/2010_Bay_MiniGrants/USF_Watergoat_Presentation.pdf>.
Usfspconnect. "The Garden Club at USF St. Petersburg." USFSP Connect. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.usfspconnect.com/the-garden-club-at-usf-st-petersburg/>.
Wehunt, Emily. "The Latest Proposals to the Student Green Energy Fund." The Crows Nest. N.p., 30 Mar.
2015. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. <http://crowsneststpete.com/2015/03/30/the-latest-proposals-to-thestudent-green-energy-fund/>.
Weybrecht, Giselle. "An Innovative Way to Making Your Campus More Sustainable: The Student Green
Energy Fund." PRiMEtime. 17 Dec. 2012. Web. 27 Mar. 2015.
<http://primetime.unprme.org/2012/12/17/an-innovative-way-to-making-your-campus-moresustainable-the-student-green-energy-fund/>.

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Glossary of Terms
Bayboro Harbor: The harbor that the campus of USFSP surrounds and uses regularly.
CO2 Emissions: An adverse effect of burning fossil fuels.
Green Bulls: The White Project Team consisting of: Tatiana Miranda; Michael Metcalf; Stephen Roehm;
Anthony Rivera; Brent Schumacher.

Green Project: A diverse scientific, social, and political movement for addressing environmental issues.
Go Green Movement @ USFSP: A broad range of projects and groups associated with being
environmentally friendly.

HVAC: an acronym used for: heating; ventilation; and air conditioning.

Hybrid Vehicle: A vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to improve efficiency.
SEAS: an acronym for the Student Environmental Awareness Society.
SGEF: an acronym for the Student Green Energy Fund.

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USFSP Green Project

Solar Doks: A place to charge electronic devices using solar energy.
Watergoat: A device developed to help clean the water way around the USFSP campus.
USFSP: University of South Florida Saint Petersburg
Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: A book centered around sustainability at a college campus and
ways to be involved in the green movement.

The US Green Building Council: A private 501(c)3, membership-based non-profit organization that
promotes sustainability in how buildings are designed, built, and operated.

Campus and Community Sustainability Conference: Connects stakeholders from municipalities, college
campuses, government, businesses and nonprofits. Everyone wanting to learn more about best
practices, current trends, and resources will find this conference timely, practical and valuable.

FGCU: Florida Gulf Coast University

Student Green Energy Fund: Aims to provide funding for proposals geared toward increasing efficiency
and reducing wastes and costs on campus at USF.

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