Campus Sustainability Fund

Photos by Rosemary Reyes

The new Life Sciences Building under construction next to the Burke Gilman Trail features floor-to-ceiling windows all along the south side. The windows allow the sun to naturally light the space, but that sunlight also presents a problem.

In the summer, direct sunlight would overheat the building. Instead of relying on air conditioning, the team behind the building’s design found a unique solution.

As we all fall into our usual routines for Winter quarter, jazz up your schedule and check out the sustainability events calendar! We've listed a few of the top options for this week below, and you can always check out our calendar for a comprehensive listing of events. You can even subscribe to get weekly emails to keep up to date on all the sustainability events happening around UW!

Some highlights coming up this week:

Guest post by Sustainability Game Jam organizer Lauren Kuehne.

Three math professors who always wanted to try building a game but never had the time. A graphic designer thinking about taking a digital game design program next year. A graduate student in statistics who is passionate about sustainable river management. These are just a few of the stories of the people who participated in the UW Sustainability Game Jam on Nov. 11-12. Their mission: to design a game that engaged a wider community on a topic or concept related to sustainability – all in one weekend.

If you're interested in games and the environment, sign up for the Sustainability Game Jam this weekend. Inviduals and teams will work Nov. 11-12 to create game concepts and prototypes that promote sustainability. 

The Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) is a student-funded, student-run grant organization for student-driven sustainability projects on campus. Along with a student committee, the CSF has a trio of student employees who help the fund and its projects run smoothly. There are two new faces on the CSF staff this year - along with returning CSF coordinator Kyle McDermott, the CSF welcomes new Outreach Coordinator Whisper St Christopher and its first Project Development Intern, Ian Rose. 

In 2009, a small group of students started a grassroots campaign to create a student-powered green fund at the University of Washington. The idea quickly gained wide support, and today the Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) has granted more than $2 million to student-created sustainability projects, giving UW students a chance to shape the future of campus.

SafeFlame is a local cleantech start-up founded by Foster School MBA student Kevin Cussen which aims to tackle a glut of high profile issues effecting people in developing nations. SafeFlame utilizes biodigesters to break down organic content and create biogas, which can be used as fuel for gas cookstoves. The company hopes to use its technology to help cut indoor pollutants caused by cookstoves that use fuels such as wood, charcoal, crop waste or animal dung. 

Each year the student-run, student-funded UW Campus Sustainability Fund allocates more than $300,000 to student sustainability projects.

The Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) will be regularly featuring alumni, project leaders and other students who help the CSF make a difference on campus. Today's alumni spotlight is on Sunni Wissmer, former CSF committee member.

UW Graduation Year: 2015
Major: Community, Environment, and Planning
Minor: Astronomy
Hometown: Steilacoom, WA
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Sailing

The Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) will be regularly featuring alumni, project leaders and other students who help the CSF make a difference on campus. Today's spotlight is on Dan Hintz, who is project lead for the Kincaid Ravine Restoration.

UW Graduation Year: 2016
Major: Master of Environmental Horticulture
Hometown: Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Downhill skiing