Student Sustainability Committee Update
September 12, 2025 8:02 AM
Greetings from the Student Sustainability Committee!
Did you know that $18 of your student fees goes towards funding sustainable projects on campus?
SSC is a sustainability-focused University funding board that has awarded around $16 million to projects since 2008—something only made possible by students like you. A portion of student fees pay $3 to the Cleaner Energy Technologies fee (CETF) and $15 to the Sustainable Campus Environment fee (SCEF), adding up in our Illinois Green Fund to over $1.5 million per year!
As a student board, we hear from a variety of student-, staff-, and faculty-led projects and vote on how to give out the Green Fund to advance the environmental impact of campus, as well as to fulfill Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) initiatives.
You might have seen our projects around campus, including:
The Circular Fashion Expo, bringing students, designers, and community members together to explore sustainable fashion through a biannual fashion show.
Sustainapalooza, a festival celebrating the diversity of sustainability through showcasing environmental RSOs, local vendors, student businesses, art displays, and live music.
Geothermal Energy in Wymer Hall, a newly constructed building where classes can run more sustainably.
These events not only fostered a culture of innovation and circularity but also helped in creating an inviting space for students to connect, learn, and experience sustainability in action.
How to Get Involved
How can you become a part of our campus's push for sustainability? SSC has two main funding pathways.
Here’s what you need to know:
Student-Led Projects under $10,000: Projects are reviewed on a rolling basis at our biweekly voting meetings.
Student-Led Projects over $10,000 OR any Staff- or Faculty-Led Projects: Apply by our Step 1 deadline of October 8, 2025 for the opportunity to be considered. Step 1 projects will be discussed at our Step 1 Voting Meeting on October 12, 2025.
All project applicants must attend at least one of our biweekly working group meetings, which take place during the following times:
Transportation & Infrastructure, Energy
Mondays | 5-6pm | Anniversary Plaza | Starting September 15
Food & Waste, Environmental Justice
Tuesdays | 5-6pm | ISC Boardroom | Starting September 2
Land, Water, Air
Wednesdays | 5-6pm | ISC Boardroom | Starting September 3
SSC Funding Information Session
Want to learn more about us and how you can apply for funding for your project? Join us at our Funding Info Session on September 15 at CIF 2039 from 6-6:50 pm! We will be explaining our funding pathways and answering any questions you may have.
Stay Connected With SSC!
Follow us on social media and join our mailing list to get the latest info on all things SSC! You can also check out our website for calendars, meeting updates, and more!
And with that, we encourage you to get engaged with SSC by attending our events, following our social media, and, most importantly, applying for funding. We can’t wait to help your ideas come to life and see the impact they have on the campus community!
Greenest Regards,
The Student Sustainability Committee Team
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
sent to:
Academic Professionals, Civil Service, Faculty, Extra Help, Graduate Students, Undergraduate Students, Incoming Graduate Students & Incoming Undergraduate Students