CUSG Environmental Board

 

About the Board

The Environmental Board, a joint board of the CU Student Government (CUSG), helps CU students make the Boulder campus a greener, more socially just place by overseeing the activities, budget, and programs of the nation's largest student-run environmental center.  As the board of the Environmental Center, as CUSG cost center, we work directly with students and administrators to catalyze change.

The Environmental Board has recently advised on the evolution of campus recycling and zero waste, instilling energy conservation habits through outreach, and developing and expanding sustainable transportation.   We administer the Sustainable CU fund, which supports student-led, innovative capital projects that promote sustainability on the CU campus.   Recently, the CU Campus adopted an integrated pest management plan, due in large part to the efforts of some of the Board's recent graduates.   The plan phases out pesticide use on the CU Boulder campus over the next several years.

The Board works closely with CUSG and Legislative Council.  In addition to representatives from each of those bodies, the board consists of:

  • Seven student voting members
  • Two community (non-student) voting members
  • Permanent ex-officio members (Environmental Center permanent staff)
  • An unlimited number of nonvoting, elected ex officio members

Joining the Board

Would you like to advocate for campus environmental policy, determine funding for innovative sustainability projects, get practical experience, and meet other environmentally concerned students?

If you are interested in joining the Environmental Board, please read the Application Process and Board Member Roles and Expectations documents below, then submit a copy of your resume and a brief cover letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  You are encouraged to begin attending board meetings to become familiar with the board and demonstrate interest.  Voting positions become open on a semesterly to yearly basis as students graduate.  Preference is given to involved ex officio members who are familiar with current projects and internal procedures.

For a summary of selected programs and initiatives funded or implemented by the Environmental Board, see Selected Program Summaries.

Meeting minutes from the current academic year are posted below.

E-center Board Application Process

E-center Board Member Roles & Expectations

Spring 2013 Board Roster


Student Voting Members
Jon Prins (Chair)
Matt Nelson
Matthew Ribarich (CUSG Director of Sustainability)
Kayla Schick

Ex-Officio Members
Amy Telligman
Dakota-Rae Westveer
Nate Wallshein
Rob Hollis
Eric Mercadante

Contact the Environmental Board by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Bylaws

View the bylaws of the Environmental Board

Selected Program Summaries


Sustainable CU
In the spring of 2005, students voted to dedicate a portion of student fees to implement on-campus projects incorporating renewable energy, energy efficiency, recycling and waste reduction, and other innovative projects to reduce the campus¹ impact on climate and environment.  Sustainable CU funds are used for: capital investment, the purchase of infrastructure necessary for the initiatives, installation of capital projects, educational displays related to the capital projects, and any other non-staff operating costs associated with the initiatives.   Environmental Board members review Sustainable CU fund applications and decide how to distribute funding.  

 Examples of previously funded projects can be found at the Sustainable CU website.

Integrated Pest Management Task Force
The Environmental Center has been engaging with Facilities Management (FM) and Housing and Dining Services (HDS) as part of a six month task force to move the campus to pesticide reduction in the short term and pesticide removal in the long term.  The Task Force has recently completed its report and recommendations, which call for a graduated pesticide reduction leading to pesticide elimination over a six year period for campus turf and grass spaces, with similar reductions of pesticide application to shrub, bush, and parking lots.  The plan focuses on reductions in the highest student use areas first, and will significantly reduce chemical exposure to students, faculty and staff in its first year of implementation, with substantial environmental and ecosystem benefits realized within the first five years of the program.  The complete report is currently being approved by the E-Center, FM and HDS leadership, and will be posted for public review in the near future.

2012-13 Academic Year Meeting Schedule and Minutes

Click on the date for a link to posted minutes

Spring 2013
Meetings will be Mondays 4 - 5 pm, mostly biweekly beginning in February. 

January 14
January 21 
January 28 
February 11
February 25
March 11 
March 18
April 1 UMC 355
April 8 UMC 355
April 15  UMC 355 - cancelled
April 22 UMC 355 - last meeting for the semester

Fall 2012
August 30
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
October 4
October 11
October 18
October 25  - no meeting
November 1  - no meeting
November 8
November 15  - no meeting
November 29
December 6
December 13 - no meeting

Summer 2012
July 23

2011-12 Academic Year Meeting Minutes


Spring 2012
January 17
January 23
January 30
February 6
February 13
February 20
February 27
March 5
March 12
March 19
April 2
April 9
April 16
April 23
April 30
May 7

Fall 2011
July 27
August 23
August 30
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
October 3
October 18
October 25
November 1
November 8
November 15
November 29
December 6