February 17, 2014
Sustainability fund applications available
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The SIU Sustainability Council is accepting applications for the spring 2014 round of “Green Fund” awards. The focus is on proposals that involve research, education, and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency on campus. About $150,000 will be available.
Ninety-nine projects have earned nearly $1.5 million in sustainability funding since the inception of the $10-per-semester “Green Fee” approved in 2009 through a student-led effort. The projects include a sustainable vegetable organic garden, a green roof, a living wall, research projects and electrical vehicle conversions.
Funding applications are due no later than noon on March 21. Students, faculty and staff projects are eligible.
Students may also apply for Sustainability Travel Awards. Up to $7,000 in financial assistance is available for students participating or presenting research at conferences relating to sustainability. Travel award applications must be received at least three weeks before conferences that students plan to attend.
Additional information and applications for “Green Fund” and “Sustainability Travel Awards” are available at sustainability.siu.edu.
The university is again participating in the 14th annual national RecycleMania Tournament, a friendly competition for universities and colleges to encourage recycling and waste reduction. More than 450 schools from the United States and Canada are participating in the eight-week challenge that wraps up March 28. Through last’s competition SIU increased its recycling rate about three percent to a 27.387 percent overall recycling rate, Kris Schachel, sustainability coordinator, said. The goal this year is for more improvement, she said.
Learn more about the competition and keep an eye on the changing rankings among rival schools at recyclemaniacs.org/.
Additional information about the university’s sustainability efforts is available online at sustainability.siu.edu, visiting the office in Student Center room 145, calling 618/453-2846, or by email at sustainability@siu.edu.