Sustainability Committee announces new Web site and grants
In an effort to broaden its communications and outreach efforts, the College's the Committee on Sustainability (COS) has launched a new Web site, which includes up-to-date information for new project proposal and student research grants that will be supported by the College's "Green Fee." The site also includes background on current campus projects, information on how members of the William & Mary community can volunteer and deadlines for upcoming proposals.
"The site will provide a clear point of contact for the William & Mary community to learn about our growing effort in COS, while providing many opportunities to contribute through volunteerism, ideas and projects that advance the President's Policy on Sustainability," said Lynda Butler, interim dean of the William & Mary Law School and co-chair of the COS.
The committee - a group of faculty, staff and students appointed last semester by William & Mary President Taylor Reveley - is part of the College's campus-wide green initiative. The COS administers the "Green Fee," which was adopted by the Board of Visitors last spring after students overwhelmingly voted in favor of an annual $30 fee to support sustainability projects and research at the College. The fee generates more than $200,000 each year for things such as facility improvements, research grants, sustainability projects and support for the a "Green Endowment." In November, the committee announced its first round of green projects, including $16,000 for the current campus recycling effort; $3,000 to support faculty/student research on solar cell development; $15,000 for installation of occupancy sensors at Swem Library; $16,000 for electric metering in the Randolph Complex; and $3,000 for storm water runoff monitoring stations. A second round of projects will be announced later this semester.
Four summer research grants in amounts up to $5,000 each will be available annually through an open proposal process for all undergraduate, graduate and professional students at the College. In addition, project proposals from individuals and groups among students, staff and faculty are sought to advance the College's sustainability effort. The deadline to apply for both sets of grants is noon on March 20.
"These funding opportunities are an excellent use of the Green Fee as they serve to bring the ideas and creative talents of the W&M community to bear on the challenge of a more sustainable future for the College," said COS Co-Chair Dennis Taylor, professor of marine science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
Further information and application materials are available at the "Get Involved" section of the COS Web site.
