You have to give green to go green

During one of my daily excursions to the Marshall Student Center last week, I was stopped by a student with a survey. The student asked me how I’d feel about adding a “green fee” to the many fees we pay every semester. My immediate reaction was to oppose it — or any other fee for that matter — but then I began to think about its possible benefits.

When you compare a few fees to the cost of tuition, they are a relatively small price to pay for the greater good of the University.

Students are already forced to pay a $10 Athletic Flat Fee, a $7 Activity and Service Fee and a $20 Student Union Enhancement Fee, on top of other fees determined by the number of credit hours taken. Most students, including myself, have absolutely no idea what these fees pay for but continue to pay them each semester with no complaint or desire for an explanation.

Unlike the others, a green fee could have a lasting effect not only on the University, but on the planet as a whole. The fee — which would bring programs supported by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency to campus and would be used to construct more energy-efficient buildings and promote recycling — could help develop a sustainable planet for generations to come.

According to the East Tennessean, the student newspaper at East Tennessee State University, six universities in Tennessee approved a $10 green fee. The fees have been used for recycling, developing a Web site to organize carpooling and creating both hybrid and flexible-fuel vehicles.

In 2007, the University of Florida added a 50-cent energy fee to its student government ballot, which was supported by the majority of the student body and implemented in 2008. The University of Central Florida, University of North Florida and Florida State University have passed similar green initiatives, which leaves USF as the last major Florida university without one.

Moving toward pro-environment and sustainability projects can only have positive effects for USF. The Student Sustainability Committee, the club promoting the green fee, supports reducing all greenhouse gas emissions on campus and creating more efficient forms of public transportation. The use of the fee would make the University more energy efficient and, in turn, might save the University money.

As a student body, we should not grudgingly pay the fee but demand that the University implement it immediately. There should be no reason for such an initiative to be met with opposition. Eco-conscious jobs are the wave of the future and will have a part in solving the most pressing issue of our generation.

USF President Judy Genshaft has been taking necessary steps to make the University more environmentally friendly by signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in April. It’s our job to rally behind her and make sure her efforts do not go unnoticed.

Unlike the Student Union Enhancement Fee that only benefits those of us who use the Marshall Student Center, or the Athletic Fee that benefits Bulls sports fans and athletes, a green fee would benefit the USF community as a whole.

Damara Rodriguez is a senior majoring in mass communications.

13 comments

Ashley

Wed Feb 11 2009 00:34

One of the many things that a simple $0.75/credit fee can do is improve recycling on campus. Only a handful of buildings have even paper recycling and there is no organized recycling out near the dorms. It's one of the really simple ways that this school can go green.

Laura Bedinger

Thu Nov 13 2008 11:22

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/nov/10/grand-student-union-usf-runs-utility-bill/

If we had had a green fee it might have been able to cover the cost of LEED certification (to ensure an energy efficient building) and improvements for the new Marshall Center. Now students will wind up paying the astronomical energy bills. Certainly a green fee would show the administration that USF students care about the environment and are interested in having USF not fall too far behind other universities.

Kristen

Thu Nov 13 2008 00:54

To those who are concerned that this fee will just get lost in the bureaucracy of USF, let me assure you that once this fee is implemented a document will be drawn up as part of the bill that will strictly define the uses for the money. The projects under this fee will be regulated by a commity of students and faculty that will vote on what programs to implement. Also, this fee can not exceed $1.00 a credit hour (USF wants to do $.50) and would be minimal compared to the other fees that are not as regulated.

Jenny

Mon Oct 20 2008 16:13

Chill out, the green fee is worth it in the long run!!

Your name

Sun Oct 19 2008 11:05

I agree, it's a bunch of bull! As mentioned already, it doesnt really spell out exactly what our money will do? I think it'll just go into the money pot and we won't see jack done to campus...oh please...

Your name

Fri Oct 17 2008 20:22

This '"green" fee is a bunch of BS, if the school wants to go "green", then why should we pay an extra fee. We as college students have enough of a financial burden every year, from tuition, to the scam of textbooks at the bookstore, rent, food, transportation and various entertainment. If the school want to be more environmentally friendly they should pay for it without placing a fee on its students. They have already wasted our money with the new marshall center, which is a nice building, but what was wrong with the original that couldn't be renovated or added onto. Also the article mentioned other schools are using this fee idea, but what it failed to mention is evidence that this "green" fee has made a difference on the campuses.

Shane Finn

Fri Oct 17 2008 13:02

"If saving energy also saves money, then why do we need an additional fee?"

It's like that age old adage. "It takes money to make money."

It's comparable to buying a House V.S. Renting an apartment. Sure you have to pay more for the house initially, but in the end you own it. It's basically the same premise with a sustainable campus. Pay now and save money later.

Your name

Fri Oct 17 2008 12:34

Amazing article. I really want to see the student body here at USF getting more involved in the green movement. However, a lot of students either don't have the time to join any organizations that promote a cleaner Earth like the Student Environmental Association. With this barely noticeable added fee, people who can’t actually get out there and get their hands dirty can still make a difference.

Melissa

Fri Oct 17 2008 12:33

This is a wonderful article and I completely support the green fee! In response to comment three (if saving energy saves money why a fee?), it would save money in the long run, but we need a jump start to get things going. We need some financing to start the kind of change that will lasting positive effects for our university, city, and planet. I agree with the author in that while other fees benefit only portions of the student body (myself included-I use the gym and I'm ok with the athletic fee), this green fee will benefit the entire university now and in the future!!!

Your name

Fri Oct 17 2008 10:38

is the problem that we need more fees or that we should shift money from the other fees?
perhaps someone from student government could give deeper insight into this.

Your name

Fri Oct 17 2008 02:03

This is such a fantastic article. I cannot wait to see more students take notice of the need, and the difference we can make on this planet.

Your name

Thu Oct 16 2008 16:08

If saving energy also saves money, then why do we need an additional fee?

Matt Dodd

Thu Oct 16 2008 12:42

It's really staggering to see that USF is the last to join this movement! What have we been waiting for? In an age of budget cuts, what better way to pay for these programs? As an interesting note, students pay 11.50 PER CREDIT HOUR for athletics at USF. I believe the green fee is proposed at something like 75 cents per credit hour. Where are OUR priorities?

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