The UTD Green Fund is now accepting project proposals for the first time since its approval in spring 2024.
The fund, which collects a $5 semesterly fee from students on variable tuition plans and all students enrolled after academic year 2024-2025, will support projects related to recycling, transportation, energy efficiency, renewable energy and campus beautification. In its first year of collecting fees, the fund has a little under $100,000 available to give out. With current UTD enrollment, the fund could grow as large as $300,000 per year by its fourth year. Submissions for project proposals are open until April 10.
Political science senior Alisa Model, who served as Student Government’s Green Initiative chair when the push for the Green Fund first began, said she hopes the money is able to bring about the changes students want to see on campus.
As UTD faces budget cuts across the entire university, this fund makes sure that we can still invest in the sustainability of our university.
— Alisa Model, former Student Government Green Initiative chair
“We have so many students who are passionate about sustainability and this fund gives them the opportunity to make those ideas a reality,” Model said. “Other Green Funds, such as at UT Austin’s and [University of North Texas’] funds, have been extremely successful and I hope the UTD fund will grow to be just as successful. As UTD faces budget cuts across the entire university, this fund makes sure that we can still invest in the sustainability of our university.”
The fund is managed by a student-majority committee: three students appointed by SG, two appointed by the Graduate Student Assembly and two staff members. A simple majority is needed to fund a project.
Supply chain management sophomore Colton Rupe, who serves as the current Green Initiative chair, said the fund represents years of student-led work. The student body approved the fee in April 2024 and the UT System Board of Regents signed off shortly thereafter. Fall 2025 marked the first semester the fee was collected.
I think that this is the best opportunity we’ve had yet to make a difference here on campus and beautify it. I absolutely encourage students to send in all of [their] ideas.
— Colton Rupe, current Student Government Green Initiative chair
“I think that this is the best opportunity we’ve had yet to make a difference here on campus and beautify it,” Rupe said. “I absolutely encourage students to send in all of [their] ideas.”