On Wednesday night, ASG hosted a conference to discuss the possibility of lowering student fees. One change that was discussed concerned the cost of the Environmental Fund, enacted by students in 2006.

This fund is intended to support campus projects that use natural resources efficiently as well as promote environmental protection and social justice. At the meeting ASG discussed dropping the current environmental fee from $0.9 to $0.2.

Members of various environmental groups that were present expressed concern that they would not be able to fund projects if the fee drops. ASG believes that because the student population has grown significantly in the past few years, the fund would generate more money from student contributions. Some groups voiced that they also had trouble accessing the funding and others were not aware they had rights to the money at all.

The issues were addressed by the ASG Board and various groups were informed on how to apply for and utilize the money. Many group leaders expressed relief at the knowledge that this money could be used to fund various projects designed to protect and help the environment.

Some of the environmental groups were worried that they would not have enough money to fund certain projects because “green” energy can be expensive to install.

“Really, we’re talking about every other year is $35,000,” ASG Senate Leader Michael Mahon said.

With the massive influx of students enrolling every year, projected growth rate for the environmental fund is around 1.5% a year. ASG President Telbe Storbeck has high hopes for the future of this fund.

“My hope will be that we can be conservative but at the same time not holding ourselves back by doing sustainable things on campus,” Storbeck said. “Sustainable being the key word, making sure that we have good return on our investment and making sure this does impact our community, our state and also our nation.”

Student initiative to use the funds was lacking in the past, but Storbeck remains optimistic.

“There is a good amount of money in that reserve,” Storbeck said. “I think there are a number of student projects small and large that, with student initiative, the sky is the limit really.”

celehr@mavs.coloradomesa.edu