Much of the credit for UC's Sustainability initiative belongs to the students who first brought this issue to the Regents in 2002. Since then, UC students have been instrumental in shaping and implementing the University's sustainability policy. Students have also played a crucial role in educating faculty, administrators, staff, and their peers about environmental stewardship and campus sustainability. This section highlights student sustainability efforts within the UC.

Student Fee Referenda

Student-approved fee initiatives to fund campus sustainability projects:

UCSB Renewable Energy Initiative:
Funds renewable energy projects at UCSB Student Services facilities as part of a comprehensive effort to make all Student Affairs buildings zero-net energy users.

 

Sustainability Internship Programs

The Alliance to Save Energy's Green Campus Program:
Employs and trains paid student interns on six UC campuses. Interns educate the campus community about the importance of energy efficiency and conservation through activities such as CFL exchanges, residence hall energy competitions, and energy audits of campus offices.

Berkeley

Santa Barbara

Student Government Organizations

Berkeley

Santa Barbara

Student Housing Programs

Berkeley

Irvine

Davis

Los Angeles

Athletics and Recreational Sports

UC's sports facilities are doing their part to help the UC system reach its ambitious sustainability goals to reduce waste, cut energy use, conserve water and shrink its carbon footprint.

Cal Recreational Sports publishes PLAYGreen, a blog with articles on how to reduce the environmental impact of staying fit and healthy at UC Berkeley.

UC Santa Barbara's Recreation Center received a LEED-EB Silver rating from the US Green Building Council in June, 2008. The second LEED-EB building on the Santa Barbara campus, the Recreation Center earned its certification through water and energy conservation measures and by increasing the recycling rate by 70%, among other initiatives.

Additional Resources