The Green Initiative Fund

Unified Student Government Association

TGIF Committee
Alexandra Vecchio (Chair) Sarah McDowell, Senior Meg Boyle, Senior Gabriella Baldassari, Junior Dominic Lynch, Sophomore Michelle Peters, Sophomore Jared Brocklehurst, Sophmore Michael Fasullo, Freshman Maureen Baynes, Freshman Emily Sible, Freshman

What is TGIF?
A small portion of the Student Development Fee being dedicated to help fund sustainable projects on campus. Designated fund in the amount of approximately $65,000. Used to finance student-run, campus sustainability initiatives From the students, for the students, by the students http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iro5c91sQc&feature=youtu.be

Where Loyola stands

In 2008, the USGA offered the following referendum as part of the spring election process: Do you support the creation of a Sustainability Fund, to be managed by the USGA, to help establish a sustainable campus environment? This fund would finance student-led initiatives such as green building, recycling, energy efficiency, and environmentally responsible purchasing on Loyola's campus. The Sustainability Fund would be created by charging students a $1 sustainability fee each semester.

Where Loyola Stands

Over 50 universities across the country have a similar fund Amount of the fee varies ($1-$15) Some schools with a sustainability fee include: University of Illinois Chicago, University of California Berkeley, Vanderbilt University, Harvard University, Northeastern University, and many more

How it would Function

Student Committee (5-7 representatives) to allocate funds Based off of project proposals that were submitted Proposals would include necessary information, budget, implications, and research Faculty and staff project advisors

Project Examples
Amber Vignieri Compost Expansion Joe Kamberos Urban Agriculture Expansion Gabriella Baldassari- Plastic Bag Reduction Kevin Brannon Water Conservation

Project Examples

Focus: Water
Collaboration with Office of Sustainability and Facilities
Discover where water is being used in efficiently Simple Solutions Develop into future improvements/ infrastructure/ retrofit Save

Success Elsewhere
Ponnu Padiyara UIC Student Body President University Of Illinois Chicago began collecting money for the green fee in 2012 $4 Per semester for full time undergraduate students with an option to request a refund All UIC students and registered student orgs are eligible to apply

Whats Next?

VOTE
March 26-27 Referendum: USGA Ballot

Questions??
Contact Us: Alexandra : avecchio@luc.edu USGA: USGA@luc.edu