1. WHEREAS, in the spring of 2007, a student referendum was voted on and passed by 91% (3803 to 393) to implement a fee to purchase energy from “renewable, non polluting sources to help protect the human environment as well as reduce our country’s need for foreign energy imports”; and,

2. WHEREAS, the fee is initially $4.00 per undergraduate per year (beginning Fiscal Year 2010) followed by a $2.00 increase per year until the total fee is $12.00 per undergraduate per year; and,

3. WHEREAS, in the fall of 2009, the University’s Sustainability Council tasked a six-person Student Advisory Subcommittee with “reviewing proposals for funding by the clean energy student fee and making recommendations for funding to the Council”; and,

4. WHEREAS, the Student Advisory Subcommittee recommends that the fee language be amended to be more inclusive of a broad range of sustainability initiatives beyond the procurement of renewable energy; and,

5. WHERAS, the Subcommittee further believes that in order to realize the University’s vision for environmental sustainability outlined in the 2008 Strategic Plan of becoming “widely recognized as a national model for a Green University”, the University must stimulate a diverse array of projects which not only increase the amount of renewable energy used on campus, but also increase the energy efficiency of our facilities, reduce the amount of waste created and material resources used on campus, encourage sustainable behaviors, and integrate sustainability into our teaching, research, and development efforts; and,

6. WHEREAS, the Subcommittee recommends that the fee language be amended to the following: Students can help realize the University’s vision outlined in the 2008 Strategic Plan of becoming “widely recognized as a national model for a Green University”. By paying Sustainability Fees, students can advance the University’s efforts to increase the amount of renewable energy used on campus, increase the energy efficiency of our facilities, reduce the amount of waste created and material resources used on campus, encourage sustainable behaviors, and integrate sustainability into our teaching, research, and development efforts. These Sustainability Fees will support a Student Sustainability Fund which will fund projects that promote environmental sustainability, reduce the carbon footprint of the campus, and positively impact and enhance the student experience at UM. Project proposals for Student Sustainability Fund grants may be submitted by UM students, staff, and faculty on behalf of individuals, programs, organizations, and/or offices and departments. The Student Sustainability Fund will be managed through the University Sustainability Council based on recommendations and support provided by the Council’s Grant Selection Subcommittee, a procedure outlined in the By-Laws of University of Maryland Student Sustainability Fund; and,

7. WHEREAS, the Student Government Association represents the interests of the undergraduate student body; and,

8. WHEREAS, the Sustainability Council has requested the approval of the revised fee language from the undergraduate student body as represented by the Student Government Association; and,

9. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the SGA supports the recommendations of the Student Advisory Subcommittee to broaden the fee language to be more inclusive of sustainability initiatives beyond the procurement of renewable energy.