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From funding innovative sustainability projects to connecting students with campus leaders, the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØStudent Government (CUSG) Environmental Board plays an important role in advancing sustainability across Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder. Board co-chairs Jules Immonen and Piper Rausch discuss what the student-led board does, how it supports the campus community and why they're inviting more Buffs to get involved this fall.

What is the Environmental Board?

The Environmental Board is a student-led joint board withinÌýCUSG dedicated to supporting sustainability initiatives across campus. The board oversees funding for theÌýEnvironmental Center, which was founded by students in 1970 as the nation’s first student-led environmental center and has since grown into one of the largest and longest-standing centers of its kind. The board also awards Sustainable Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØGrants that help bring new sustainability ideas to life.

While the board works closely with campus partners, students lead the decision-making process, giving them a direct voice in shaping sustainability efforts at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder.

What does the board do?

One of the board's biggest responsibilities is managing theÌýSustainable Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØGrant program, which provides funding for projects led by students, faculty and staff. Applicants submit proposals each fall and spring, present their ideas to the board and participate in a multiple round review process.

This past academic year, the board awarded nearly $100,000 to projects across campus, including reusable takeout container pilots, reusable lab coat programs, and new and improved campus waste and recycling signage.

Beyond grant funding, board members collaborate with sustainability teams across campus, helping connect students with university leaders to advance ideas with lasting campuswide impact.

How does the board fit into Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's larger sustainability efforts?

According to Immonen and Rausch, the Environmental Board helps bridge student ideas with university action.

Students from engineering and environmental studies to business, music and beyond bring their own interests and perspectives to the table. Whether someone is passionate about green chemistry, waste reduction or sustainable business practices, the board helps connect those ideas with the people and resources needed to move them forward.

The board also regularly collaborates with campus partners, including theÌýOffice of the Vice Chancellor for Sustainability, theÌýSPIKE Center for Sustainability Education and others across campus to increase student involvement and collaboration on sustainability efforts.

Who can participate?

Anyone interested in sustainability is welcome to attend meetings and get involved.

The board currently has seven voting members, several open board positions and additional opportunities to participate through committees and project teams. Students who attend meetings can begin contributing right away, even before becoming voting members.

"We want sustainability to be something everyone feels connected to," said Piper. "No matter what you're studying, there's a place for your ideas."

What is the board's vision for sustainability at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder?

For Immonen and Rausch, the goal is making sustainability a natural part of the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder experience.

They envision a campus where sustainability is visible in everyday life, where students from every discipline see themselves as part of the solution and where innovative ideas can grow into lasting change. They also hope the board continues to connect students with leadership, real-world projects and future careers in sustainability.