By Chloé Rouleau – Contributor

Have you ever wanted to make a change and leave your mark at BU? Do you have a project in mind that you would like to bring to life? The Green Levy is here to help you turn your dreams into reality! 

What is the Green Levy and why is it important? 

We often hear about the importance of being a sustainable campus. But why is sustainability so important? Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability is crucial as it ensures the well-being of all life on Earth. So far, Bishop’s has taken several sustainable initiatives. As a Bishop’s student, it might be your turn to take action and make a sustainable change! 

First of all, did you know that Bishop’s offers funding for student-led sustainability projects? Most of the funding comes from the student body. Each semester, $2.50 from student fees contributes to a fund dedicated to completing green projects on campus. The Green Levy manages the allocation of these funds. 

In addition to managing fund allocations, you might wonder about the actual goal of the Green Levy. Essentially, the Green Levy is an opportunity for all students to gain funding for initiating a sustainability project that could benefit the community and contribute to a greener campus. When students apply to the Green Levy, they pursue their sustainable development projects with the support of the sustainable development interns, the Student’s Representative Council (SRC) and the university’s sustainable development advisor.

How does it work? What is the evaluation process?

If you have a sustainable project idea, care about the environment, and possess an entrepreneurial and leadership drive, the following lines are meant for you!

Your next step is to fill out the Green Levy application form, which you can be directed to at https://busrc.com/green-levy/. After filling out the Green Levy application form, the Green Levy committee will evaluate your submission. You may be invited to answer some further questions about your project. The evaluation is based on the five pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, economic, ethical and governance. Each of these pillars will be ranked from one to five, from poor to outstanding. Following this evaluation, the committee will decide on the form of assistance or funding they can provide. 

What projects have been done before?

Many impactful sustainability projects have been done in the past. For example, the Green Levy facilitated the introduction of biodegradable cups in the Gait, assisted the acquisition of a hydroponic garden for year-round access to fresh herbs, contributed to the distribution of “La Tasse” reusable mugs across campus and supported the funding of the community fridge. 

To conclude, the Green Levy at Bishop’s University provides a unique opportunity for students to transform their sustainability dreams into reality. As a Bishop’s student, it could be your chance to contribute to the sustainable future of the campus and beyond. 

If you would like to meet with the Green Levy, on Nov. 15, the Green Levy will have a table in the SUB to answer any questions. For any further information, please contact the sustainable development intern, Danielle Storey, or the SRC environmental sustainability representative, Chloé Rouleau.