In 2003 a group of students involved with Students Promoting Environmental Awareness in Knoxville (SPEAK) spearheaded a movement to have UT increase its purchase of “green power” from TVA. In spring 2004 a referendum on the Student Government Association ballot called for establishment of a Student Environmental Initiatives fee. After originally supporting the initiative, Chancellor Crabtree and the administration were less enthusiastic after passage of the referendum, but the board of trustees established the fee, as an increase in the Student Facilities Fee established in 2000, at its summer 2004 meeting, effective for fall 2005, designating a charge of $5 per in-state student per semester.
Early uses of the fee included the purchase of 3,375 blocks of green power through the TVA/KUB Green Power Switch program, offsetting approximately 382 tons of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide each month; funding a phased $625,000 lighting upgrade of Stokely Management Center; funding a $65,000 phased upgrade of controls that turn steam valves on and off in certain buildings; purchasing four electric vehicles; and purchasing florescent bulbs for the annual residence hall light bulb exchange.
Funds generated by this portion of the Facilities Fee are allocated by the Student Environmental Initiatives Committee and administered by the Facilities Services Department.