1. Jerry Sharp III, Senior/Multidisciplinary Studies Student
The Green Fee
Presented by:
Benjamin Perry, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Planning & Development / University Architect
Jerry Sharp III, Senior/Multidisciplinary Studies Student
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

2. The Green Fee Background
The “Green Fee” legislation authorized a university fee to be assessed at registration. The collected fees were applied to a Green Fund for use by the Green Fund committee which was comprised of students, faculty and staff, with a student voting majority.
The legislation passed in 2009 by the 81st Texas Legislature
(House Bill 3353 and Senate Bill 2182).
The “Green Fee” was active for 5 years from 2010 – 2015
It was set to automatically sunset.
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

3. The Green Fee Background
A Bill to renew and reauthorize the Green Fund was introduced to the 85th Texas Legislature this year (2017) but was unable to clear the Committee on Higher Education and did not advance to the floor for a vote.
As the Texas Legislature meets only on odd numbered years, the next Legislative session (86th) will not meet until Jan 8, 2019.
UT Austin chose to make the fee part of tuition and now have a permanent budget for sustainability initiatives known as the Green Fee.
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

4. The Green Fee Background
UT System Policy 169
UTS 169 The initiatives described in this policy are intended to provide the scope, direction, and expectations underlying U. T. System’s Policy on Sustainable Practices and to identify best practices to facilitate compliance with this policy.
The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System is committed to stewardship of the environment and promotion of the principles of energy efficiency and sustainability.
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

5. Sustainability Tracking and Reporting System (STARS)
AASHE STARS
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
Sustainability Tracking and Reporting System (STARS)
STARS ratings
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Reporter
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

6. The Paris Climate Agreement
UTSA Collaboration with City and CPS Energy on Paris Climate Agreement Along with International Ambassadors
Ron Nirenberg, City of San Antonio Mayor
Paula Gold-Williams, CPS Energy President
Dr. Keith Muhlestein, UTSA Sustainability Director
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

7. Our Sustainable Campus
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

8. Equinox 2017 UTSA and San Antonio Leadership
Community Outreach
Equinox 2017 UTSA and San Antonio Leadership
Community Outreach and Engagement
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

9. Hydration Stations UTSA Community Garden The Green Fee Projects
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

10. Rooftop Solar at Durango and HEB-UC
The Green Fee Projects
Rooftop Solar at Durango and HEB-UC
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

11. Big Belly Solar Compactors
The Green Fee Projects
Big Belly Solar Compactors
Sombrilla Fountain
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

12. The Green Fee Comparisons
Historical Fee Comparison before Fee was Sunseted
(Identified and other Texas Universities)
Annualized Fee
Total Students
Projected Funds
UT Austin
$12.50
51,331
$641,638
University of Houston
42,704
$533,800
University of Arizona
$12.00
43,625
$523,500
North Texas
37,979
$474,738
George State
$9.00
50,972
$458,748
Texas A & M
$6.00
68,825
$412,950
UTSA
30,674
$287,670
UT El Paso
23,397
$140,382
Texas State
$1.00
38,849
$38,849
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

13. The Green Fee Comparisons
2012 Fee Comparison of Green Fees Charged at U.S. Universities per AASHE
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX

14. The Green Fee
Proposal
A $5 increase in Tuition per regular semester, $2.50 per summer semester, to be designated toward University-wide Sustainability Initiatives
9/19/2018
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX