Global Links

Mandatory Student Fees for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

This resource lists successful efforts to increase mandatory fees specifically to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency. Annual or incidental allocation of non-dedicated student fees for renewable energy and/or energy efficiency is not included. Likewise, voluntary fees (both opt-in and opt-out) for renewable energy and energy efficiency also are not listed.

Fee increases are categorized according to whether the revenue goes toward a) purchasing renewable energy produced off-campus, b) funding renewable energy and energy conservation projects on-campus, or c) a combination of off-campus purchases and on-campus projects (this hybrid category is listed first). Within each category, institutions are listed according to the amount of the fee increase (on an annual basis), with the largest fees listed first. AASHE strives to keep this resource as accurate, comprehensive, and useful as possible. Please email additions, updates and suggestions for improving this resource to resources@aashe.org.

Evergreen State College

In January 2005, 91% of voting students at Evergreen State College supported a $1 per credit fee increase (up to $20.00 maximum per quarter) to purchase renewable energy and fund the installation of renewable energy and energy conservation technologies on campus. The increase was approved by Evergreen's Board of Trustees in June 2005, and went into effect at the beginning of the 05/06 academic year. The fee generates approximately $240,000 annually. $10,000 of the money raised is used to cover administrative overhead and to maintain a Clean Energy Committee, including the provision of stipends for student members of the committee. 90% of the remaining revenue is used to purchase renewable energy, while the other 10% is put into a fund for on-campus renewable energy and efficiency projects. The fund is administered by the Clean Energy Committee, which is comprised of 4 students, the Director of Student Activities, the Director of Facilities, and one member of the faculty.

Middle Tennessee State University

In fall 2005, 89% of voting students at Middle Tennessee State University supported an $8 per semester fee increase to purchase renewable energy and fund the installation of renewable energy and energy conservation technologies on campus. The increase was approved for a one year trial period by the Tennessee Board of Regents in June 2006, and went into affect at the beginning of the 06/07 academic year. $5 of the fee is used to purchase renewable energy, while the remaining $3 is used to finance on-campus energy efficiency and conservation projects.

Mount Allison University

In the spring of 2009, students at Mount Allison University voted via a Students Administrative Council referendum in favor of levying a $10 green fee aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the community, both on and off campus.

Mercyhurst College

The Green Team at Mercyhurst College passed the Student Green Energy Fee in October 2011. This fee will take $5 from each student’s account every term to increase Mercyhurst’s commitment to renewable green energy.

Southern Illinois University
In the spring of 2009, the SIU Board of Trustees approved a green fee for the campus. The $10 per semester fee provides funding for university efforts to conserve energy and explore further sustainability projects

Tennessee Technological University

In fall 2005, 89% of voting students at Tennessee Tech supported an $8 per semester fee increase to purchase renewable energy and fund the installation of renewable energy and energy conservation technologies on campus. The increase was approved for a one year trial period by the Tennessee Board of Regents in June 2006, and went into affect at the beginning of the 06/07 academic year. $5 of the fee is used to purchase renewable energy, while the remaining $3 is used to finance on-campus energy efficiency and conservation projects.

University of California, Berkeley

The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) provides funding for projects that reduce UC Berkeley's negative impact on the environment and make UC Berkeley more sustainable. TGIF will allocate funds to projects that increase the amount of renewable energy used on campus, increase energy efficiency, and reduce the amount of waste created by UC Berkeley. Portions of the fund will support education initiatives, student aid (via return to aid), and internships. TGIF is supported by student fees and administered through a student-majority governance board.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

In Spring 2010, students passed a referendum that raised the Sustainable Campus Environment Fee from $5 to $14. The measure passed by 77% approval, and established University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as having the largest funding pool like it in the United States.

In Spring 2007, a $5.00 per semester refundable student fee for a Sustainable Campus Environment was approved by referendum of the student body by the Board of Trustees. Published materials indicated that this fee will finance initiatives; including sustainable campus development, green buildings, energy efficiency, sustainable resource purchasing, and education and campus engagement in order to create a more sustainable campus environment.

In Spring 2003, a $2.00 per semester non-refundable student fee for Cleaner Energy Technologies was approved by a student referendum. The intent of the fee is to "provide pollution-free renewable energy as a portion of the campus energy portfolio and reduce campus energy consumption." The types of projects to be considered include wind power, solar energy, and other renewable souses such as hydrogen, biomass, and geothermal systems. A portion of the funds may be used for campus energy efficiency projects such as energy audits of campus building systems. The two fees bring in approximately $550,000 annually.

Auraria Campuses: University of Colorado at Denver, Metro State University and Community College of Denver

In April 2004, 95% of voting students at each of the three institutions that share the Auraria Higher Education Center campus - University of Colorado at Denver, Metro State University and Community College of Denver - supported a $1 per semester increase in student fees to fund the purchase of wind power and the installation of an on-site solar energy system. The fee went into effect at the beginning of the 04/05 school year, and generates approximately $80,000 annually. The fee is to be assessed for three years, with a requirement that students vote again, in 2007, on whether to renew it.

University of Oregon

In April 2005, 81% of voting students at University of Oregon supported a fee increase of up to $2 per semester to purchase renewable energy and fund the installation of renewable energy and energy conservation technologies on campus. The University administration then approved an increase of $0.60 per semester. The increase went into effect in Fall 2005, and generates $36,000 annually. A portion of the funds are used to purchase wind power for the University's student union. The remaining funds are distributed to on-campus energy conservation, alternative energy, and awareness projects by the Energy Conservation and Alternative Futures Fund.

University of Wisconsin, La Crosse

In April of 2008, students were asked if they wanted to invest five dollars per semester in renewable energy and energy efficiency on campus. The answer, with 2222 votes and from 89% of students voting, was a resounding, "Yes."

Western Washington University

The Green Energy Fee was first approved in 2005 and has been used to purchase renewable energy credits and finance student projects devoted to increasing energy efficiency, decreasing consumption, and generating renewable energy. In 2010 WWU students voted to expand the green fee to continue to finance the University’s renewable energy certificates. As of 2011, students pay $21 per academic year toward the Green Energy Fee.

On-Campus Projects

The College of William and Mary

In the fall of 2008, the College of William and Mary (VA) implemented a $15 per semester green fee. The green fee, initially proposed by the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC), allows for facilities upgrades, student research grants for sustainability-related projects, and the creation of a green endowment to fund further actions in the future. A student referendum showed 85 percent support for the measure, and the College's Board of Visitors approved the proposal in May of 2008. The fees are administered by the College's Committee on Sustainability.

Northland College
In November 2000, the Northland College Student Association approved a $10 per semester fee to fund the installation of renewable energy and energy conservation technologies on campus. The fund is managed by a Renewable Energy Fund Committee made up of graduating seniors. In 2002, the Student Association decided to double the fee to $20 per semester. Then again in 2009, the study body voted to double the fee to $40 per semester.

Appalachian State University

In March 2004, 81% of voting students at Appalachian State University supported a $5 per semester increase in student fees to fund the installation of renewable energy technologies on campus. The increase was approved by ASU's Board of Trustees in fall 2004, and by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors in spring 2005. The fee went into effect at the beginning of the 05/06 school year, and generates between $120,000 and $150,000 annually. The funds are administered by a Renewable Energy Initiative Committee, comprised of six students selected by the committee through an application process, one member from Student Government Association, three faculty members, one staff representative, and a representative from ASU Design and Construction. The fee increase is to be collected for three years, meaning that it will expire before the 08/09 school year unless an extension is approved.

Bemidji State University

Beginning in the fall of 2008, a new student fee at Bemidji State University will empower students to make the Bemidji State campus a more environmentally friendly place and assist in the University's efforts to hire its first full-time sustainability coordinator. The fee, which is expected to generate approximately $35-40,000 per year, will fund student projects and will support 50 percent of the salary for the sustainability coordinator. Beginning in 2010, the green fee will subsidize 100 percent of the sustainability coordinator's salary.

Portland State University

Portland State University (PSU) May 12 joined a growing list of schools initiating a jump in student fees to cover sustainability initiatives. Voting students came out 72 percent in favor of the Green Initiative Fund (TGIF), a referendum that puts in place a $5 per term "green fees" expected to raise more than $500,000 to support initiatives the reduce the school's impact on the environment. It includes a $10-$15 Flexpass subsidy for students who use TriMet, and creates a student-run special sustainability projects fund to support small student-led sustainable projects, such as building new bike parking stations or installing water bottle refilling stations, around campus.

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

In April 2008, 76% of voting students at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs voted in favor of a $5 fee per semester to fund the installation of solar panels on university buildings.

Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff, AZ

In March 2010, two-thirds of the voting students at the Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff supported a mandatory $ 5 fee per semester towards a student controlled Green Fund. The NAU Green Fund was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents and will take effect in the Fall 2010 semester. The Green Fund is financed by a $5 per student, per semester, mandatory student fee (at the Flagstaff Mountain Campus only). The Fund will support projects on campus that develop renewable energy use, increase energy and water efficiency, reduce waste, and establish a culture of sustainability on campus. The Green Fund will meet the priority objective to reduce NAU's carbon footprint, emphasizing strong student participation, high visibility, and leveraged funding. The Fund is managed by 6 students and 3 NAU faculty and staff.

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

In February 2003, 75% of voting students at UNC-Chapel Hill supported a $4 per semester fee increase to fund the installation of renewable energy technologies on campus. The increase was approved by UNC-Chapel Hill's Board of Trustees in January 2004, and by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors in March 2004. The increase went into effect in Fall 2004, and covers both undergraduate and graduate students. It generates approximately $185,000 a year, which is administered by the Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee (RESPC). RESPC comprised of 7 students appointed by the Student Body President (2 students), the Speaker of Congress (1 chair and 2 members), and the Graduate and Professional Student President (2 members). Members are advised by ex officio members including the Sustainability Coordinator, the Director of Energy Services, the Vice Chancellor of Campus Services, and other faculty and staff. The original referendum stipulated that students would revote on the fee increase within two years. In February 2005, 85% of voting students re-approved the fee, and in February 2009, 83% of voting students re-approved and expanded the fee to allow funds to be used for energy efficiency projects as well

Northeastern Illinois University

The Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees voted to approve a student referendum to create a Campus Green Fee of $3 per semester to fund clean energy installations on campus effective Fall 2007. The referendum passed by an overwhelming 75% of student votes. The Green Fee will help fund clean energy improvements on Northeastern's campus.

University of California, Santa Barbara
Students at the University of California, Santa Barbara have approved a mandatory student renewable energy fee with the highest voter turnout ever recorded. The Student Services Renewable Energy Initiative will generate revenue to be used to fund large-scale renewable energy projects at the seaside campus. This fee increase of $6 per quarter will generate upwards of $3.4 million dollars by the time it expires in 2020.

University of Kentucky

In the Student Government election of late March 2006, two-thirds of the students casting ballots supported a new fee of $6 to $8 per semester to be used for energy conservation and renewable energy initiatives on campus. After support systems were in place to accommodate administration of the funds, the Board of Trustees agreed to levy a mandatory Environmental Stewardship Fee of 75 cents per semester to begin the 2009-2010 academic year. The newly established Student Sustainability Council will administer the funds, which will total about $35,000 per academic year.

University of Vermont

The Clean Energy Fund (CEF) was approved in May 2008 by UVM's Board of Trustees. A $10 per semester student fee supports the fund, generating about $225,000 annually. The CEF first gained momentum as student-led intiative in 2005, and was endorsed by the Student Government Association in 2007, after a randomized survey of 419 students showed that 68 percent would pay $10 per semester for the development of clean energy on the UVM campus.

Utah State University

Students at Utah State University have approved a student-proposed $3 per-semester fee that will create an office of sustainability on its Logan campus and fund student projects geared toward conserving resources. The Blue Goes Green fee was modeled on a small fee approved by University of Utah students two years ago and has since funded a variety of projects including the resurrection of an old fruit orchard and research into low-water irrigation for campus landscaping.

Off-Campus Purchasing

University of the South

In March 2004, the Sewanee Student Assembly passed a resolution calling for student fee increases of $15/student in 2005, $30/student in 2006, and $45/student in 2007 and thereafter to fund the purchase of renewable energy. The Sewanee Board of Regents approved this plan in February 2005, and collection of the fee began in fall 2005.

Southern Oregon University

In 2007, 85% of the SOU student body voted to pass a proposal to add a $15 fee to offset all of the University's electricity and natural gas consumption. In 2008, SOU purchased 15,500 MWh of green tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). In the 2008-2009 College & University Green Power Challenge, SOU ranked first in the Cascade Conference. In May 2011 SOU received a $23,000 refund from BEF (20% of the total amount received by BEF is refunded back to the school for its own projects.)

Western Washington University

In spring 2004, 85% of voting students at Western Washington supported a fee increase of up to $19 per quarter to purchase renewable energy. An fee increase of a to-be-determined amount less than $19 per quarter was approved by the WWU Board of Trustees in February 2005. In June 2005, the Board approved a Renewable Energy Fee of $1.05 per credit with a maximum of $10.50 per quarter. Collection of the fee began in fall 2005. The fee generates approximately $355,000 annually. The fee may be renewed for up to four years with appropriate annual adjustments in the level of the fee based on projected costs for renewable energy.

Connecticut College

In spring 2001, over 75% of the students at Connecticut College signed a petition supporting a $25 per year increase in student fees to fund the purchase of renewable energy. With support from the Connecticut College Student Government Association, Connecticut College's Board of Trustees approved the increase in May 2001. The fee went into effect at the beginning of the 2001 fall term.

University of Denver

In spring 2005, students at DU supported a $6 per quarter fee increase to purchase renewable energy. The fee went into effect at the beginning of the 06/07 academic year.

Centre College

In spring 2008, 82 percent of students at Centre aproved a $20 annual fee to support green energy production through the purchase of renewable energy credits from a local provider. In October 2008, the Centre Board of Trustees unanimously accepted the student approved green fee.

Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government

In February 2004, 58% of voting students at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government supported a $5 per semester increase in student fees to purchase renewable energy. The fee was collected during the 04/05 academic year, after which the Kennedy School of Government administration decided to pay for renewable energy out of the School's administrative budget and the student fee was discontinued.

University of California, Santa Cruz

In spring 2006, 69% of voting students at UC Santa Cruz supported a $3 per quarter fee increase to purchase renewable energy. The increase went into effect in Fall 2006, and covers both undergraduate and graduate students. The fee generates approximately $135,000 annually, of which 25% (approximately $34,000) goes to assure that lower income students have Financial Aid assistance in paying the fee. The fee is a permanent fee with no ending date. Money collected supports the student-run Carbon Fund, which funds sustainability projects on and off campus.

Central Oregon Community College

In May 2006, 72% of voting students at Central Oregon Community College supported an increase in student fees of $0.25 per credit hour up to $3 per semester to purchase renewable energy. The fee went into effect at the beginning of Summer term 2006 and generates around $8,500 per term.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

In December 2005, UW-Green Bay's Student Senate supported a $1.69 per semester fee increase to purchase renewable energy. The increase was approved by the Student University Fee Allocation Committee in January 2006, and went into effect at the beginning of the 06/07 academic year. UW-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard committed to matching the students' funding with an equal amount that will be used for energy conservation and energy efficiency upgrades on the campus. The student fee generates $17,000-18,000 per year, and is set to expire after 4 years.

Mesa State College

In Fall 2002, the Fee Allocation Committee of Mesa State College's Student Government Association approved a $1 per semester increase in student fees to fund the purchase of renewable energy.

University of Colorado at Boulder

In April 2000, 83% of voting students at CU Boulder supported a $1 per semester fee increase to purchase renewable energy. The fee went into effect at the beginning of the 00/01 academic year, and continued for 4 years.

University of Utah

In March 2003, the Associated Students of the University of Utah unanimously passed a bill supporting a $1 per semester fee increase to purchase renewable energy. The increase was approved by Utah Board of Trustees in March 2004, and went into effect at the beginning of the 04/05 academic year. The fee will be re-evaluated after four years.

Please email resources@aashe.org with any suggestions, additions or updates.