AASHE Interview Series: Zachary Keith, Florida Green Fee Coordinator, Southern Energy Network
This week's interview is with Zachary Keith, a graduate of the University of Florida who now works for the Southern Energy Network to get a student green fee passed for the University System in Florida (see the AASHE resource: Student Fees for Renewable Energy for examples from other campuses). Although a mandatory student green fee is not yet in place for the university system in Florida, Zachary is optimistic that 2009 will be the year it happens! Read on to discover the setback and challenges Zachary and others have faced in their work towards initiating a green fee and the many lessons learned.
If you are interested in participating in the AASHE Interview Series or wish to nominate someone to participate please email me. Last month's interview with Dr. Steven Moore is here.
What campus sustainability initiatives are you working on at the moment?
Like many university systems across the country, Florida is trying to institute student funded green fees for the state’s public universities. My responsibility involves coordinating student representatives from the schools in Florida, and getting everyone connected and updated. The movement has been underway for almost 2 years now, and everyday brings a new challenge. Besides coordinating campuses, I have been working with state leaders and their offices to create a bill in order to allow universities to administer the fees. In Florida, we have to work with our state legislature in order to allow our schools to collect any new fee, so right now we have concurrent campus and state campaigns. Managing the overlapping campaigns has proven to more difficult than I had imagined, but the complexity of the project gives me the drive to continue the work I am doing.
How did you get started in campus sustainability?
My educational background is in political science and in all my classes I could not help but think of them in terms of sustainability. This link spurred me to get more involved on our campus level. As a student at the University of Florida, I was involved with the student group Gators for a Sustainable Campus, where we worked with the student body and our administration to affect positive change on campus. Through this, I knew I wanted to continue working on the policy side of sustainability issues as an organizer.
Is there a particular insight (learning experience or “ah-ha” moment) you have had working on campus sustainability?
When our group at UF started the green fee campaign, we quickly realized that this was something that was bigger than just our student organization. It would be impossible to do this alone, and that these initiatives are beyond just a single individual or group. Gaining that perspective let me see the larger picture and move beyond just my personal involvement in the work and look at the overall goal.
How will the green fees support sustainability on campus?
Each university will make their own budgetary decisions, but the focus of the campaign is on renewable energy projects. Plans at some schools for solar thermal and photovoltaic arrays are in the works, as well as food waste conversion at dining hall locations. But another aspect of the fee is to improve efficiency on campus. Some of the more lasting effects can be accomplished by retrofitting buildings and updating energy systems on campus.
What kind of support have you received from throughout the campaign?
The student group from UF promoted and worked hard to gauge student approval for a green fee on their campus, culminating in a show of support in the spring 2007 student government election. UF students supported the creation of a green fee with 78% of the vote. After that, other schools from around the state began to start similar campaigns on their college campuses, and students created the Florida Green Fee Coalition. In the spring of 2008 more schools held successful referendums on their campus, and the coalition plans to build on theses victories.
What kind of setbacks has the campaign encountered?
When talking about increasing fees, there are always going to some disagreement at the onset. But campuses have done a great job in running persuasive campaigns. Most schools have conducted surveys, held events, and actively engaged their student body in their efforts to gain support. Convincing administrations has also been difficult, but each school has brought an impressive amount of support and has been able to convince the initial skeptics at every turn.
How are your sustainability efforts funded?
A principle concept behind the green fee is that it is student supported and funded. The student population must vote to create the fund, and then has a have majority influence on a committee to decide how it is spent. By putting their money where their mouth is, students can stand up and show that this is one of the most important issues of our generation. Students will have to pay a small pre-credit-hour fee, but the charge to students in marginal and will have a lasting impact on campus sustainability and renewable energy projects.
In what ways are students involved in your work?
Students are the main assets in the green fee campaign. Without the work of students from throughout the state, we would not be as far as we are now. And even though the campaign has been going on for the past 2 years, more and more students are standing up to take leadership. It is especially rewarding for me to see the new class of students take charge. The dedication of these students is amazing, many of whom work other jobs and have a full class schedule. Through engaging all these great students, a by product has been the creation of a state network where students can stay connected on sustainability issues and continue to work hard on making Florida a better state.
What are you most looking forward to in 2009?
2009 is shaping up to be a major year for the green fee campaign. Our coalition hopes to pass significant legislation in the March session, which would allow our state system to start collecting green fees on public campuses. The passage of our bill would then give students the opportunity to create the fees on campus with a referendum vote and final approval from the schools Board of Trustees. With any luck, we will accomplish our goal. Our coalition has put in the time and dedication and I hope to be able to see this campaign through with all of them and celebrate a successful 2009.
