'Green Fund' Proposed

By Broadside Correspondent Brittany Rouse

If approved, a small increase in student fees next year will help support environmental initiatives at George Mason University as part of a new “Patriot Green Fund.”

The fund, proposed by the Office of Sustainability and the student-led Environmental Awareness Group, would be supported by a $5 increase for full-time students, as well as a $2 increase for parttime students. With about 16,000 full-time students and 14,000 part-time students, the fund is projected to raise over $200,000.

Senior psychology major, Jessica Alva, said that money raised from the fund would have a positive impact on Mason’s campus.

“I think everyone should support the Patriot Green Fund because whether or not you believe in global warming, helping Mason become more ‘green’ will cut back on a lot of costs we have around campus,” said Alva.

According to the Mason Environmental Awareness website, possible projects may include installing solar panels, a bicycle sharing program, purchasing more recycling bins and starting a campus farm.

Forty percent of the fund would support facility upgrades and other projects around campus. Another 10 percent would support student research and projects. The largest portion would create a “Green Endowment,” investing funds and accruing interest.

A committee will be created to oversee money raised by the fund. The proposed
plan consists of 13 voting members, seven of which are students.

Before any action, the Patriot Green Fund needs approval of the student body. A referendum will be administered later this month, and if a majority votes in the fund’s favor, the proposal will go to the Board of Visitors for its final approval.
If approved there, the increases will begin next fall.

Even with the small increase in student fees, many students see the fund as another valuable step towards making Mason a more “green” campus. “I think it’s a really easy, cheap way to help the environment,” said sophomore psychology major Daniel Soranzo.

“It is our duty as humans to clean up the environment,” said junior physics major
Jon Bannick, “so I have no problem with paying the $5 fee.”

“It’s basically $5 to change the world,” said junior accounting major Kate Collins.