With innovative efforts from students, faculty, and staff from across the UMD campus, together we can lower campus emissions to 50% of 2007 levels by 2020 and operate a carbon neutral campus by 2050, as outlined in UMD's Energy Action Plan.
The UMD Green Revolving Fund was established to invest in sustainable projects at UMD. Projects are intended to contribute to efforts to save energy and become a more sustainable campus, along with providing long-term financial savings to the University of Minnesota. Savings are paid back into the fund, building equity, and helping to fund future projects.
In 2011, UMD Facilities Management provided $100,000 seed money from utility savings to support the Green Revolving Fund. Energy rebates obtained by UMD Facilities Management are also provided back to the Fund, to serve campus and invest in future energy savings. UMD Economics student Stacy Gerths was instrumental in getting the fund established, through a Sustainable Development Research Opportunity Project.
The Green Revolving Fund's primary goals are to reduce the campus carbon footprint, help UMD save money, help educate the campus community about sustainability issues, and to help increase interdisciplinary connections throughout campus. Proposals are evaluated by the Office of Sustainability and by the Sustainability Committee.
Any UMD student, staff or faculty member may apply for Green Revolving Funds. Student applications require a faculty or departmental advisor, to help in managing fund appropriations.
Awards are based on how the projects meet the Green Fund criteria and the current needs of the University. Applications are reviewed by both the UMD Sustainability Committee and UMD Facilities Management. An application should address one or more of the criteria below:
You can access the application to the Green Revolving using your UMD e-mail.
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