University of Alaska Fairbanks
IN-3: Innovation 3

RISE GRANT PROGRAM for Sustainability Student Funded Projects Each semester the Student RISE Board and Office of Sustainability accept student proposals to support UAF’s sustainability initiatives. Preference is given to projects that invest in energy efficiency programs and renewable energy projects. RISE is an associated student board. The goal of the grant program is to endorse promising student ideas for a more sustainable future. In the fall of 2010, 12 student-led projects were chosen to be funded, totaling $70,252 in allocated funding. The RISE Board evaluated the project proposals and forwarded their to the Chancellor for funding. A list of the funded projects can be found below. One of the projects enthusiastically supported was Water Bottle Testing Stations. By the end of spring semester, water bottle filling stations will be set up in Wood Center and the MBS dormitory complex. There will be monitors checking for usage to see how much water is used and how many plastic bottles “saved.” Student Sambit Masra worked with plumbers from Facilities Services to design the systems, which have activated charcoal filtration to insure that the water tastes good and is free of pollutants. The largest benefit to UAF is a lower amount of plastic bottles being used. “If the program with two filling stations is success, students hope to eventually have stations spread across campus and clean drinking water everywhere,” says submitter Sambit Masra. Proposals for the next round are due in February. For information on the proposal process or to view funded projects in more detail, go to www.uaf.edu/sustainability/rise/currentproposals/. Projects must address the SIREN purpose “investing in energy efficiency programs and renewable energy projects” or one of the issues and visions recommended in the document UAF Campus Sustainability: Recommendations from the Chancellor’s Sustainability Transitions Team, July 2008. Issues include energy, transportation, purchasing, waste management, sustainable design, education and curriculum, food systems, social sustainability, and processes and institutions. Preference will be given to projects or programs which reduce UAF’s non-renewable energy consumption. Proposals compete with one another. The RISE Board consisting of students, faculty and staff will conduct a criteria-based review of all proposals. Preference will be given to projects or programs which reduce UAF’s non-renewable energy consumption. You will be asked to identify which sustainable area the proposal addresses. * Energy * Transportation * Purchasing * Waste Management * Sustainable Design * Food systems * Education and Curriculum * Social Sustainability * Process and Institution Fall 2011 Sustainability Student Projects Funded green bike * Water Bottle Filling Stations $10,000 * Replacement of Old Laboratory Refrigerator With New Energy Efficient Refrigerator $1000 * Forest Stewardship Council Certification for UAF Printing Services $3500 * Sustainable Art Show $500 * SRC Solar PV 30 KW Project: Phase I - Prescriptive Specs $23,000 * LED installation in the Facilities Services Greenhouse $8160 * Replacement of Aging Refrigeration Equipment with Modern Efficient Environmentally Friendly Equipment $176 * Applied Hydrogen Generator for Improved Efficiencies and Emissions $1300 * Electric Snowmobile $3000 * Cutler Conservation Project, Dormitory Energy Usage Competition) $500 * Phase 2 : Electric Shuttle Van $8566 * UAF Green Bikes $10,500