Student Green Energy Fund
Overview
The Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF) is used to assist the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency and meeting goals of the university’s Climate Action Plan by investing in alternative energy, reducing waste and improving conservation on campus. The fund directly involves students with sustainability initiatives and alternative energy projects that benefit the campus and the community.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Proposal Deadline: October 25, 2024
USF is seeking your help to reduce the Sarasota-Manatee campus's carbon footprint and make it more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff are invited to turn your brilliant green ideas – small or large – into formal proposals for outcome-driven projects to help our campus conserve energy, reduce energy costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote renewable energy technologies.
If you have a bright idea, the first step is to do some preliminary research, and then either speak with a member of the SGEF Committee or to submit a proposal. Your proposal could be funded by the Student Green Energy Fund for implementation under your leadership! Proposals can originate from individuals, groups, and formal and informal bodies at USF.
Important Proposal Criteria
Student Green Energy Fund proposals MUST comply with the following criteria:
- Proposals must address energy savings and/or renewable energy technologies that demonstrably lower energy consumption on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus
- Proposals must include an educational component that informs the USF community about the results of the project
- All proposed projects must have immediate application (i.e., should not be "pure" research)
- Projects should enhance student success and contribute to institutional sustainability
The full details regarding eligibility and criteria for proposals can be found HERE.
Proposals for the Fall 2024 Semester shall be submitted by Friday, October 25th via email to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Student Green Energy Fund Committee.
- Chair – Kimberly Mones, kmones@usf.edu
- Vice Chair – Natalia Chersia, natalia163@usf.edu
The Student Green Energy Fund Committee will review proposals and meet to discuss all received proposals during the week of November 4th – 8th.
FUND INFORMATION
FUND HISTORY
The fund was initiated as a student-led campaign in 2007. With support from the University of South Florida Tampa’s Office of Sustainability, faculty, staff and various student organizations, the SGEF proposition was championed through the USF Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors. The USF St. Petersburg campus passed their last SGEF referendum in 2020.
At the Sarasota-Manatee campus, the SGEF is financed through a nominal student fee of $1.00 per credit hour. Students vote via a student body referendum every three years to approve initiation of the fee and affirm any subsequent modifications.
FUND ADMINISTRATION
The Student Energy Green Fund (SGEF) is collectively administered by the SGEF Committee. The SGEF Chair convenes the committee, oversees procedural matters, and may cast a tie-breaking vote. A simple majority of voting members is required to vote on SGEF proposals and amend the SGEF By-laws.
SGEF LEGALLY-BINDING DOCUMENTS
SGEF Bylaws are the governing rules by which the committee operates. The inaugural SGEF Committee in 2024 voted to adopt the SGEF Bylaws found here.
Board of Governors Student Green Energy Fund Regulation. These are binding conditions to the student green energy fund as approved by the university's board of trustees.
MEETINGS
The next meeting of the SGEF Committee is TBD.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Microsoft Teams
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
SMC C306
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The Student Green Energy Fund Committee is responsible for selecting feasible proposals for funding and implementation on campus.
| Title/Position | Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Kimberly Mones | kmones@usf.edu |
| Vice Chair | Natalia Chersia De Leon | natalia163@usf.edu |
| Green Fund Manager | Dan LaForge | dlaforge@usf.edu |
| Committee Advisor | Teeranai Ovathanasin | tovathanasin@usf.edu |
| Student Voting Member | Spence Gerber | smsg-governor@usf.edu |
| Student Voting Member | Alexandra Lopez | smsg-ltgovernor@usf.edu |
| Student Voting Member | Lauren Pellegrino | lpellegrino@usf.edu |
| Student Voting Member | Fummy Nguyen | fummynguyen@usf.edu |
| Faculty Voting Member | Paul Kirchman | pkirchman@usf.edu |
| Staff Voting Member | Corey Curran | coreycurran@usf.edu |
| Staff Voting Member | Serena Gualtieri | sgualtieri107@usf.edu |