
Look for the Green Fee sticker around campus
In the fall of 2005, by request of student vote during SGA elections, the student facilities fee was increased to establish funding for green power and campus sustainability initiatives. This green fee (officially known as the Student Environmental Initiatives fee) is administered by the Student Environmental Initiatives Committee as a representative body of students, faculty, and staff. The mission of the committee is to identify, research, and recommend uses of funds supporting environmental stewardship and sustainability as well as clean and renewable energy technologies. The committee’s charter was revised and adopted in April 2014.
Quick facts
2005
Established by SGA vote
$800,000
Amount collected from the fee annually
Cost to full-time students
$10
In state per semester
$35
Out of state per semester
Where do the fees go?
Filtered bottle refill stations
Generating 40,000 KWH per year via solar power
Purchasing of Green-E certified renewable energy credits
New bike racks around campus
Zero Waste Game Day
Students’ attendance at sustainability-related conferences & workshops
By the numbers
2nd
UT’s national ranking for Zero Waste Game Day
1st
National ranking in green power purchasing
17,894
Tons of waste diverted from landfills
170+
Filtered bottle refill stations
1.3 billion
Plastic water bottles diverted from waste
$100,000
Per year to support student research
Have a green idea for campus? We want to hear from you.
Every month, the Student Environmental Initiatives Committee meets to review, vote and implement proposals from the campus committee. If you have an idea feel free to stop by the next meeting (see event calendar for dates) or to submit an official proposal to the committee. For proposals, follow the Green Fee Proposal Guidelines.
If you have questions about the Student Environmental Initiatives fee, have ideas for new campus environmental sustainability projects, or would like to get involved with the Student Environmental Initiatives Committee (you must be a current UT student or employee), email the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@utk.edu.
The Student Environmental Initiatives Fee also funds students who are interested in attending environmental conferences. Apply for Conference funding on this application: SEIC Student Conference Funding Application