Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 66.51
Liaison Aurora Sharrard
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2021

STARS v2.2

University of Pittsburgh
IN-40: Sustainability Projects Fund

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 0.50 Maya Knee
Secretary
Pitt Green Fund
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name of the institution’s sustainability projects fund:
Green Fund Allocations Board (a.k.a. Pitt Green Fund)

Which of the following best describes the primary source of funding for the sustainability projects fund?:
Hybrid

Year the institution’s sustainability projects fund was established:
2,010

A brief description of the institution’s sustainability projects fund:

The mission of the University of Pittsburgh's Green Fund Allocations Board (GFAB) is to encourage, finance, and support student-initiated projects and programs that make Pitt’s operations more environmentally sustainable, socially equitable, and energy efficient. These outcomes are accomplished not only by providing students with ideas for projects, but also through funding and connecting participating students into Pitt's wide network of resources to better implement their sustainability-focused projects.


A brief description of the multi-stakeholder decision-making process used to determine which projects receive funding through the sustainability projects fund:

Run entirely by students, the Green Fund Allocations Board (GFAB -- aka Pitt Green Fund) exists to promote sustainability at the University of Pittsburgh by funding initiatives created by and for the University community. GFAB seeks to promote the themes of stewardship, exploration, community, and culture, as outlined in the Pitt Sustainability Plan.

The GFAB Director is typically chosen from applicants who have previously held a position on the GFAB Board. Both the process for selecting the Director and for selecting board members is codified in the GFAB Charter. The GFAB Board accepts self-nominations for open positions in both the Spring and Fall semesters every year. Applicants are invited to interview with the GFAB Director, the GFAB Advisor (Student Affairs Sustainability Coordinator) and the Co-Director of the Student Office of Sustainability.

The GFAB funding cycle begins in late September and ends in mid-April. During that time period, the Green Fund Allocations Board meets weekly to discuss proposals and hear from project applicants. Applicants must complete the entire process, show that their project is tied to the Pitt Sustainability Plan, and that the project will have long-term positive impact on the Pitt Community.

Once a project is awarded, they receive assistance from Board members and the GFAB Advisor to fund and activate the project. Projects that are not funded are offered technical assistance and mentoring on how to craft their project to be in accordance with the GFAB's sustainability objectives and are encouraged to resubmit.


Website URL where information about the sustainability projects fund is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The Pitt Green Fund receives its budget from Student Activities Fee via the Student Government Board. The Pitt Green Find also receives sizable donations from the Bring Your Own Bag [BYOB] fund (administered through the University Stores) and from the University of Thriftsburgh (Pitt's student-managed thrift store).


The Pitt Green Fund receives its budget from Student Activities Fee via the Student Government Board. The Pitt Green Find also receives sizable donations from the Bring Your Own Bag [BYOB] fund (administered through the University Stores) and from the University of Thriftsburgh (Pitt's student-managed thrift store).

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.