The BSF (Brandeis Sustainability Fund) has announced the projects it will fund this semester!
The BSF was started in the spring of 2010 after being put to a student vote. It funded 5 projects in its inaugural year (2010-11), to the tune of $48,738.62. This year it chose 3 projects to fund (of the 5 that applied), granting a total of $19,681.58.
One attribute the BSF has adhered to very well since its inception is transparency. If you follow this links included at the bottom of the post (or through the BSF's website), you can see PDF's of all of the student proposals, an update on last year's projects, and keep track of the finances the BSF posesses. This kind of transparency is useful for students who are interested in proposing projects, and allows students to hold it accountable for the money they are paying to fund these programs.
Below are the descriptions of the projects the BSF has decided to fund for Fall 2011, courtesy of Janna Cohen-Rosenthal, Brandeis' Sustainability Coordinator.
Congratulations to those who came up with the projects!
greenbean recycling machine!: $15,968
Project Leader: Taylor Early '15
Greenbean recycling machine aims to increase recycling rates and promote how easy and accessible recycling can be by installing a reverse vending machine in Usdan Student Center. The machine collects plastic and glass bottles as well as aluminum cans and offers a 5 cent deposit on those that fall under the Bottle Bill Law in Massachusetts, and the refund can be either sent to a PayPal account, a charity, or a WhoCash account (tbd).
It's A Breeze: Drying Racks $2,226.58 
Project Leaders: Philip Lu '11, Katharine Glanbock '14
To cut energy used on laundry, drying racks of various shapes and sizes will be available for free through a rental program on a per semester basis. Public drying racks will also be placed in laundry rooms throughout campus for residents' use
Windowfarms: $1,487.00
Project Leader: Eve Markvardt '13
Windowfarm is a vertical, hydroponic growing system that allows for year-round growing in almost any window. Three windowfarms will be installed in the Village Quad and provide students with fresh herbs and vegetables for the use in shared kitchens.
The following project applications were invited to reapply in the next round of funding:
- Solar Hot Water: Have engineering and feasibility studies done with a more specific price range
- Pedal Power: Reduce cost of project, finalize logistical details, and clarify environmental and educational benefit
In addition students may start the 2012 application process by submitting an Expression of Interest/ Ideas Form. A BSF board member will work with you to develop your project to be successful. We hope by starting early in 2012 we can get many projects off to a great start. Project funding maybe available in Spring 2012 for projects invited to reapply and new ideas in a rolling process (depending on how much is allocated of the remaining yearly funds) and a more formal process will begin again in Fall 2012 with the newly collected funds.
Information:
