Green Fund

The Salisbury University Green Fund is a unique program designed to improve environmental sustainability at SU by giving students a say in how their sustainability fees are spent.

Charging Stations!

This picnic bench, with solar panels that power device-charging stations below, is one of the most visible Green Fund projects on campus.

Student Founded, Student Supported

Proposed by the Student Government Association and passed by student votes, the Green Fund supports projects proposed by students or student-faculty teams. Students even make up the majority of the Green Fund review board’s members (five students, three staff and one faculty member). This board reviews all proposals received and approves expenditures for those selected.

Submit Your Idea!

Have an idea for a Green Fund project? Send it in! All proposal teams must include at least one student and at least one faculty or staff advisor. Students may apply for funds on behalf of student organizations, as well. Ready to start? Check out the submission guidelines and download the application.

My Project Was Selected! What's Next?

The Green Fund board will work with you and your team or advisor to make your proposal a reality! Projects must be completed within one year from the date of funding. (Multi-year projects require re-approval each year.)

Occasionally, unforeseen circumstances may affect a project delivery schedule or other aspects of the plan. In these cases, funding recipients may petition the board for additional time or modifications to the project scope or funding (only one petition allowed per project). Petitioners must clearly state their issues, proposed solutions and how they will impact the end result. The board will review petitions on a case-by-case basis.

What Does a Successful Project Look Like?

The Green Fund has supported some 65 projects since its establishment in 2015. Learn about them below!

Example Past Projects

LED Lighting

Reduce Admissions' Emissions
This project reduced electricity consumption in the Admissions House. The project leaders identified rebate qualifying energy-efficient upgrades. The rebates, which were for efficient lighting and appliances, were provided by Delmarva Power, in support of the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act. The scope of the project included LED bulbs, occupant sensors, a high efficiency water heater, and devices to operate the new LEDs.

Fulton Hall Performance Lab LED Conversion
This project involved the replacement of older theatrical lights with modern LED equivalents. The older lights had a maximum power draw of 12.9 kW, with the replacements only drawing 2.8 kW. In addition to the electrical savings, the new lights produce significantly less heat, reducing air conditioning costs as well.

Light Conservation & Energy Efficiency in Henson Hall
This project reduced electricity consumption in Henson Hall. The project leaders identified rebate qualifying energy-efficient lighting and appliance upgrades. The rebates were provided by Delmarva Power in support of the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act. The scope of the project included LED bulbs, occupant sensors, and devices to operate the new LEDs.

Holloway Hall Auditorium LED Lighting
Upgraded Holloway Hall auditorium lighting to LED lighting in several phases. Projects resulted better lighting and significant electricity and air conditioning savings.
Garden/ Campus

Native Species Restoration Project
This project installed native species plants and a nature path next to the Link of Nations, between the Guerrieri Student Union and the Commons Building. In addition, custom signage is installed at each location to educate SU students, faculty, staff, and visitors about native species and their importance. The project included site preparation, installation of plants, hardwood mulch path, river jacks and permanent signage.

Pollinators Have a Purpose
This project involves raising monarch butterflies, planting appropriate host plants and studying the butterflies' migration through the use of tagging kits.

Sustainable Educational Greenspace
The project involved creating a sustainable educational greenspace beside the Environmental Studies House on College Avenue, including a rain garden and native plantings.

Project Rain Water
This project involved the installation of rain water collection barrels at several locations on campus. The barrels collect rain water from building rooftops, that otherwise may have ended up as runoff entering the storm water management system. Instead, the collected rain water remains on site for beneficial uses, such as watering gardens.

Rechargeable Electric Leaf Blowers
This project proposed that SU’s Horticulture Department employ battery-powered leaf blowers instead of the gasoline powered equipment currently in use. The aim is to reduce noise pollution, air pollution, and fossil fuel use. This grant funded the initial purchase of five leaf blowers for trial and evaluation. If successful, it is hoped that more will be purchased in the future to provide an even larger environmental impact.

Campus Honey Bee Hives
This project involves setting up bee hives on campus to promote awareness of the importance of bees in agriculture and to the environment and to allow for further academic research. The bees will provide an ecological benefit to the surrounding area.

Osprey Nest
This project entailed the installation of an osprey nesting site.
Solar Benches

Powersol at Sea Gull Square
The project involved the installation of solar powered charging stations and outdoor seating adjacent to Sea Gull Square.

The Solar Dok - Picnic Bench with Solar Powered Recharging Outlets
This project involved installation of a solar picnic bench on campus to allow students to recharge their smart phones and portable devices while sitting outdoors. The solar bench was branded for SU and the Green Fund.
Research & Education

Carbon Sequestration by the Salisbury University Arboretum
This project involves the study of the carbon offsets provided by the trees and soil on the Salisbury University campus.

Nanticoke River Center Educational Materials
This project produced educational materials to inform visitors to the Nanticoke River Center about the sustainable and environmentally sound aspects of the property.

Meatless Monday Sampling - FUN-Day
This project provided the campus community with information about the environmental benefits of vegan and vegetarian meal choices. Samples of various dishes were served to introduce students to a new array of culinary options.

Pedal Power Generator and Green Energy Demo Set
This project built two bicycle-powered electric generators, with a DC-to-AC power inverter for operating 110v appliances. The system is portable and will be used for demonstration purposes for various campus events. The demonstration set also includes a solar oven and Fresnel lens (to cook s'mores of course!) The goal of the project is to promote an understanding of renewable energy by providing a hands-on experience for students.

Bird Friendly SU
Constructed bird houses and installed around campus with solar powered webcams to monitor use by local bird populations. Project provides habitat and educational opportunities as a part of the SU Bird Friendly Campus certification.

Reusable Bottles for the First Flight
Purchased 1,800 custom water bottles which were issued to Freshmen during First Flight. Bottle was also used to share information about recycling and other key facts about campus life.

Species Diversity on an Urban Campus
Purchased specialized insect collection “tents” which were used to research the types of scarab beetles presently on the campus. Data will be compared to regional data and used to educate students about the scarab beetle biodiversity on SU campus.
Recycling

TerraCycle Zero Waste Box @ SU
This project involved the installation of six recycling collection boxes for permanent and dry erase markers on campus, as well as publicity banners to inform that campus community about the initiative. The goal of the project is to eventually expand recycling to other items on campus, such as candy wrappers, snack bags and personal care products.

Boosting Recycling in Maggs and Devilbiss
Upgraded the recycling and trash containers in Maggs and Devilbiss and increased their availability on all floors of both buildings.
Events

Promoting the "Stash Your Trash" Campaign
This project aimed to have the University partner with the Wicomico County anti-littering campaign, "Stash Your Trash." The goal of the project is to promote sustainable waste management to protect the natural world, specifically the Wicomico River.

Go Green Teachers
This grant provided funding for pre-service teacher candidates to attend the Children's Literature Festival, and it funded the purchase of quality environmental education books. Additionally, it provided assistance for the development of lesson plans, which were subsequently posted on the elementary education website.

Salisbury Student Healthy Options Bike Trip
This project serves to educate students about food and transportation availability. Information about safe bicycling and healthy, affordable meal preparation are presented to students through this project.

Student Attendance to "Smart and Sustainable Campuses
This project provided funding for nine students to attend the University of Maryland's Smart and Sustainable Campuses conference.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival
This project allowed for the hosting of the South Yuba River Citizens League's environmental film festival on campus. The grant funded the license fee to show 12 films.

A Greener Big Event
Annually, Salisbury University students participate in the "Big Event" and "I Love Salisbury." Both of these events involve the collection of leaves. Previously the leaves were collected in plastic trash bags, which were subsequently disposed of in the trash. This project funded the purchase of 300 reusable polypropylene woven fabric lawn and garden bags. The result is a recurring annual cost savings and a reduction in material waste each year.
Other

Green Gate Air Quality Improvement for Art Department Woodshop
This project funded the replacement of manual blast gates with automated blast gates for the Art Department woodshop. Blast gates regulate suction from the the dust collector system for the removal of saw dust in the shop. The older manual gates were frequently left open when not in use, greatly reducing efficiency of the system and leading to higher energy costs. The automated system opens the blast gate for an individual tool when the tool is turned on, and it automatically closes when the tool is shut off. In addition to the energy savings the new system affords, indoor air qualify is also improved.

Sporking up Some Green!
This project is aimed at reducing the consumption of plastic ware and encouraging the use of reusable utensils at the University's satellite dining locations. In addition to an informational / educational campaign, reusable sporks were introduced to the campus.

Solvent Recycling in Chemistry Labs
This project involved the purchase of equipment to reclaim and reuse up to 93% of the spent solvent used in the organic chemistry lab. Previously, the used solvent was treated as waste and sent for disposal at the expense of the University.