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Northland College students vote to double sustainability fee

May 1, 2009

In a recent referendum, the student body at Northland College voted to double the fees they pay into the Renewable Energy Fund (REF) each semester. Each Northland student had previously paid $20 per semester into the fund, and although this had ranked among the highest per capita fees, the students voted to double the fee to $40 per semester. These funds are collected by the Northland College Student Association (NCSA) for sustainability projects of the student’s choice.

“Northland College's Renewable Energy Fund is unique in the fact that it is completely student run,” says Drew Cramer, recently elected NCSA president. “The selection of projects, the decision to increase the fee, and sometimes even the implementation is completely student run. By doubling this fee we will be able to take on larger projects with greater impacts. To my knowledge we now have the highest per capita green fee in the nation.”

This year the funds were allocated to a student group working to replace Northland’s current vending machines with more efficient machines stocked with beverages from businesses that are local or have shown a dedication to environmental and social responsibility. The fund also enabled students to expand the garden, which will now provide garden plots for those who want to grow their own food.