The University of Idaho Sustainability Center is a student led organization intent on making a difference on the UI campus.“A big goal for the sustainability center is to provide sustainable change on campus,” UISC adviser Jeannie Matheison said.
In 2006, UISC was able to provide $9,000 in grants for sustainable projects, and since then has awarded 35 students 30 grants worth over $100,000.
Matheison said she remembered a $3,000 grant given during the 2011-2012 school year to freshman, Wieteke Holthuijzen, who is now the group’s director.
Holthuijzen had done a lot of volunteer work for UISC before writing her grant, and was encouraged to submit a proposal. She said she got the inspiration for her project after living in Wallace.
“I was getting Bob’s every day,” Holthuijzen said. “And I just saw food around me all the time, so I had food systems in my head, and I wanted to do something with that and the (UISC) directed me to the Soil Stewards.”
Soil Stewards is an organization for organic farming and sustainable community food systems. They grow produce for students, campus dining and members of the Moscow community. With Holthuijzen’s project, the group was able to build hoop houses that helped grow produce earlier in the spring and later into the fall.
“It elongates their growing season,” Holthuijzen said. “They can get more produce, more yield, and in turn they can sell more to campus dining.”
When the project was first underway, Holthuijzen didn’t realize how big of an impact it would have because it seemed like an easy-to-execute project.
“I don’t think it really sunk in until later,” Holthuijzen said. “It just goes to show that it doesn’t take a lot to make a big change on campus. You just have to focus on the issues that need help, and you can make a big difference. That part was gratifying for me, it’s nice to do something so meaningful over time.”
Last year, the Office of Community Partnerships offered $10,000 in grants for UISC projects.
There are multiple distinctions between the two types of grants awarded. The OCP grant is offered to both students and faculty, whereas the UISC grants funding exclusively to student-led projects.
UISC grants must serve to improve the UI campus, while projects funded by OCP can have an emphasis on aid for any Idaho community.
In order for UI students to be eligible for UISC grants, they must be in good academic standing. Partnerships are allowed when applying for both grants. However, if a student who partners with a staff member applies for a UISC grant, the student must take a leadership role in the project.
The UISC held a grant information forum on Sept. 5, where ideas were already circulating about projects for this school year. Attendance was required at this date for all who wished to submit proposals.
Another mandatory meeting occurred Sept. 19, and focused on grant writing.
The deadline for both grant proposals is Oct. 1 at 10 p.m.
“We will be announcing grant recipients no later than Oct. 8 at 5 p.m.,” UISC Project Coordinator, Stevie Steely said.
Matheison said she is optimistic about the new prospects for projects. Matheison said some of the potential projects were centered on infrastructure improvements on UI campus, and expanded recycling.
Erin Bamer can be reached at [email protected]