Uniting RSOs for Campus Sustainability and Fiscal Responsibility
My name is David Hsu, and I would like to talk to you about a crucial decision that will be made within the next month. I'm currently helping with a student-led effort to increase the current Campus Green Fee that every student has to pay, from the current $7 to $14. We would like your organization's endorsements of this effort, as it would double the amount of money that is available to spend on cost-saving energy efficiency upgrades and other sustainable projects for the campus. This money will be allocated by students, and not by the campus administration, to sustainable projects on campus. Here are some of the projects that have already been accomplished with the present funding in the past year:
-Lighting and Computer Upgrades: $110,000 in annual energy cost savings
-Campus Rec Water Conservation: 6.4 million gallons of water savings annually, cost savings of $16,000 annually
-Allerton Heating Upgrade: $5,000 - $10,000 savings annually This student-led effort, which will culminate in a campus-wide referendum during the election cycle in March 2010, has been hailed by many administrators, faculty, and students alike, as one of the most important reforms that will ever occur on this campus should it be successful. It would substantially increase students' ability to take initiative in campus sustainability projects completely independently from the campus administration. The success of this effort is crucial for the campus's future fiscal and environmental health, so I encourage you to think about helping us. If your organization is willing to endorse our effort, or if you would like more information, please email me back at fhsu3@illinois.edu. Thank you. Sincerely,
David Hsu
Electrical Engineering, UIUC Class of 2011
Knight of St. Patrick, 2010
Member, Student Sustainability Committee
Treasurer, Engineers Without Borders UIUC
Social Chair, Tau Beta Pi
Engineering Student Alumni Ambassador
Student Worker, International Programs in Engineering
