The Green Fund Committee gathered together Friday in the Lyceum to determine which sustainable proposals, presented by students and faculty, will be funded for the spring semester.
According to Lindsey Abernathy, project coordinator of the Office of Sustainability and Green Fund committee chair, the purpose of the Green Fund is to improve the quality of life and promote and ultimately fund sustainability at the University.
Jennifer Mizenko, a professor in the department of theatre arts, proposes a project idea or the UM Green Fund. (Photo by: Royce Swayze)
Since its creation in 2013, the UM Green Fund has funded 12 projects, Abernathy said. Some of the more notable projects sponsored by the Green Fund include the University Composting Program, which has composted roughly 36,000 pounds of food waste in the past three semesters, the implementation of hydration stations in Brevard and Holman Halls and the instillation of Low-E film, a reflective film, in the library south-facing windows.
Abernathy said she was extremely impressed with the project proposals submitted this year.
“It’s exciting to hear the inspiration behind the projects and why the people who proposed them think they’re important,” Abernathy said.
The Green Fund Committee comprises 10 faculty, staff and student members.
The process of submitting a project for consideration by the Green Fund is extensive. It begins with students, faculty and staff submitting their proposals to the committee. Once the proposals are submitted, the committee gathers together to review their top proposals. Once the top proposals are selected, a public presentation is held where the authors of the proposal present and answer questions to the committee. The committee then votes on which proposals they have decided to fund. The final decision lies in the hands of the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, Larry Sparks.
The four proposals presented on Friday include the implementation of a public bike repair station at the Residential College South proposed by Madeleine Achgill. This project will provide a convenient way for students to repair their own bicycles.
“Biking has become really popular over the past years, and my proposal is really convenient because bikers won’t have to go across town to get their bikes repaired,” Achgill said.
Jennifer Mizenko, a professor of theatre arts, proposed the Mississippi River Raft Dance, in which members of the University dance program will perform dance choreography on a custom-made raft which will float down the Mississippi River.
“It offers long-term benefits that will use creative arts to bring attention to water issues nationwide and highlight the Mississippi River,” Mizenko said.
The Sales and Marketing Association, represented by Jeff Lownds and Hayden Burt, hopes their proposal, “Dumpster Donations,” will be funded for the spring semester. “Dumpster Donations” will help to reduce waste from residence halls upon move-out. With this project, students will be given the opportunity to recycle various apartment furnishings. Lownds said its purpose is to give back to those in need and ultimately cut back on waste everywhere.
Grace Herrington’s proposal will implement recycling bins in individual dorm rooms in Residential College South.
“I’m hoping this project will have a ripple effect on campus,” Herrington said. “If students learn how to recycle at home, then they will continue those efforts on campus.”
Abernathy said the Green Fund is allotted $7,500 per semester for use in funding these projects.
“I’m hoping we will be able to fund multiple projects, not just one,” Abernathy said.
The final decisions on which proposals will be funded will be announced by the end of the fall semester.
“It’s interesting because the proposals are all so different,” Abernathy said. “So, it’s neat to see the different scope of projects that come through the Green Fund.”
