"Carolina
students were first in the southeast to approve a renewable energy fee,
demonstrating true Tar Heel spirit by leading the way on this critical
issue.
Not only has their unique commitment meant successful projects at UNC
such as
the new solar hot water system for Morrison Residence Hall, but their
work with
students at universities and colleges throughout North Carolina and the
region
has helped promote renewable energy on those campuses as well. Their
decision
to literally tax themselves for a better environment is an inspiration
to us
all."
--Former
Chancellor
Moeser, July 2007
--------------------------------
RESPC
was formed in April 2003 to promote renewable energy on the UNC campus
through
the identification and funding of renewable energy projects. After
obtaining
approval of UNC student body (via referendum), the UNC Board of
Trustees, and
UNC system's Board of Governors, the $4 per semester student fee has
been in
effect since the 2004-05 school year. Since then, the committee has
administered the almost $200,000 per year generated by the Green Energy Campaign
student
fee.
In
February 2005, the referendum was renewed with approval by 85% of
student body
votes. This referendum will remain in effect until 2009, at which time
it will
be once again put before the student body for renewal. For more
information on
the referendum process or the projects we have undertaken with the fee
money,
please take a look at our Project
Updates page.
--------------------------------

Students touring the rooftop solar thermal array at Morrison Residence
Hall, spring 2007
Back
Row
(L-R): Larry Hicks (Director, Department of Housing
&
Residential Education) Susan Rhody (Morrison Community
Director) Jessi
Kemp (Chair, Environmental Affairs Committee) Andy Ives
(Chair,
SEAC) Jesse Prentice-Dunn** Janie Hauser** Jenn Poole* Lynn
Pudlo*
Jarrett Grimm* Shaddi Hasan*
Front
Row (L-R):
Stephanie Wendel* Rebecca Yoder* Alana Wilson* Elinor Benami* Brian
Phelps
(2007 Student Body Vice President) Mike Boles (supporter)
*RESPC
member
**2006-2007 RESPC co-chairs
--------------------------------
Composed
of 7 students (5 Undergraduate, 2 Graduate) and 4
faculty/staff/administration
members, the committee works together to identify and implement
renewable
energy projects on campus. We also combine our efforts to help
spread
awareness of renewable energy technologies and to compose grants that
enhance
the educational aspects of our projects.
If
you are a UNC student and would like to get involved, come by one of
our meetings,
or sign up for our listserv (respcstuds@listserv.unc.edu)
by emailing respc@unc.edu. The student members meet on Thursday
evenings, and meetings are open to the public. The full committee
usually meets
on the third Friday of every month at 3:30pm in room 307A of South
Building.
These meetings are also open to the public, but due to limited space in
the
conference room, please contact us here
in
advance of your visit.
--------------------------------
We
have accumulated a variety of useful
documents over the years, which are helpful for understanding our
history.
Check out these sites for information on other university green energy
and
sustainability initiatives:
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in
Higher
Education
Campus
Climate Challenge
Appalachian
State
University Renewable Energy Initiative
University
of
Tennessee Knoxville
Harvard Green
Campus Initiative
University
of California-San Diego
Duke Green Power Challenge
Berea College Sustainability Initiatives
Please explore our website
to learn more about the committee’s
past successes,
current projects, and the increasing worldwide momentum away from
fossil fuels
and towards responsible energy usage.
Send the
following email to subscribe to our listserv:
To: listserv@unc.edu
From: YOUR EMAIL
CC:
Subject:
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