It’s Getting Hot In Here

The results are in: in a single week, students at *two* universities in Tennessee voted in resounding support to raise their student fees in the name of a clean energy future. 71% of the voters at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (UTC) approved a $10 fee increase, while the University of Memphis (UofM) referendum passed with a 69% majority of the largest voter turnout on record.

Beyond the support voiced through the vote, the UofM Environmental Action Club (www.VoteYesForGreenPower.com) has also collected over 2,500 signatures specifying that the fee be set at $20/student/semester. Students support half of the fee being allocated towards on-campus sustainability projects, such as recycling and energy efficiency, while the other half be used to purchase clean, in-state, renewable energy from TVA’s Green Power Switch.

Now the Student Government Association will consider these 2,500 signatures as they write legislation this week to determine the final amount of the fee. The fee increase request will then be submitted for approval by the Tennessee Board of Regents, who will also be reviewing a Green Fee referendum from Austin Peay State University, which passed by an 83% majority earlier this semester.

To raise awareness on campus, UofM students camped-out in front of the administration building for four days (and even stuck it out through a tornado watch). The Environmental Action Club also gave over 80 presentations to classes and student organizations about the need for efficient, renewable energy.

For more pictures of the week, go here.