Why should I vote for the Aggie Green Fund?
- Personal benefits
- You have access to funding for your sustainability project proposals
- You can be part of the committee to oversee the fund and project proposals
- Opportunities for internships
- Experience from planning and executing a project
- Benefits for all students
- Project ideas from other students help improve our campus
- Increased access to recycling, composting, etc.
- Renovated buildings
- Local and organic dining options
- Expansion of campus gardens
- Indirect benefits
- Lower student energy fee (currently $60/semester!) through increased energy efficiency and water conservation
- Intangible benefits
- Student empowerment - Students decide how the fund is spent
- Make Texas A&M a leader among universities
School is expensive, why should I vote for this now?
- Many green fund projects will save the University money by increasing energy efficiency, conserving water, and improving buildings.
- For example, RHA changed all of the light bulbs in the Commons Lobby to CFLs that paid for themselves within one year! This saves you money and prevents additional energy fees.
- Three dollars is less than you spend on lunch!
- The Aggie Green Fund puts money into the hands of students and becomes a tool, not a fee for something no one uses!
Why can't this be an optional fee?
- For large scale sustainability projects, there must be a constant source of funding.
What happens to any extra money?
- Leftover money will be available to fund students' proposals in the following semester. However, the increased demand for campus sustainability services means all of your money will be put to work improving our campus!
Should students be in charge of so much money?
- The committee to oversee the money will be modeled after the Student Service Fee Advisory Board (SSFAB). SSFAB is comprised of students who make recommendations on how to use student fees; approximately $15 million is allocated for various departments that impact all students.
- The committee will generate annual reports, accessible to everyone, on how the fund is allocated, ensuring accountability and transparency.
Why doesn't the University pay for this?
- The University budget has different priorities each year. The Aggie Green Fund would ensure that there is dedicated funding for sustainability projects each year.
- By voting for the Aggie Green Fund, students show that sustainability efforts are important
Why should staff and faculty members have access to a fund paid for by students?
- Encouraging partnerships between students and staff or faculty, ensures that projects are maintained when students graduate.
- Staff and faculty often have informed ideas of what projects will save the University money and conserve resources.
- We can begin building a constructive student-administration partnership around sustainability.