• Staffing and Internships
• The Office of Sustainability has hired two more students as Sustainability Program Manager.
• Bailey Parenteau is pursuing a B.A. in Finance with a minor in Sustainability. They currently serve as the Vice Chair of the Green Action Fund Committee.
• MJ Johnson is pursuing a B.A. in Geography & Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainability. She currently serves as the Chair of the Green Action Fund Committee.
• The Office of Sustainability also hired our new Grant Coordinator for the Green Action Fund.
• Vee Grohovaz-Garcia is a student pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Grant Writing, Management, and Program Evaluation. She has always been passionate about sustainability, especially environmental and climate justice.
• Sustainability Demonstration House Tours
• The Office of Sustainability is located in the Sustainability Demonstration House at 12 Cragmor Village Road near The Lookout at Cragmor Apartments. The house features sustainability products and practices that students, faculty, and staff can consider for their current and future homes. Please take a look at the event section below to sign up for a tour of the house.
• UCCS Sustainability Minor
• Explore the interconnections between the environment, economy, and equity. Earn a credential that could give you a competitive advantage when applying for jobs. Receive course credit towards both your minor and major. Be sure to meet with an academic advisor before pursuing this minor. For more information, visit: https://sustainabilityminor.uccs.edu/requirements.

STARS Assessment

We are conducting a comprehensive sustainability assessment this fall and spring. We will be assessing sustainability efforts in the following areas: academics, engagement, operations, innovation, and planning and administration.

• We have reached out to data collectors and provided detailed instructions on reporting and verifying their data.
• The deadline for reporting data is January 16, 2024. If you have data to contribute or would like to support this effort, email us at sustain@uccs.edu.

To learn about the assessment tool and our past performance, visit UCCS Past Reports.

Green Action Fund (GAF)

The Green Action Fund provides funding for students, faculty, and staff sustainability projects. The organization is supported by a fee of $5.67 per student per semester. GAF is managed by students and advised by a staff and faculty representative. The GAF Committee evaluates and awards funding based on these five pillars: Reduction of Ecological Footprint, Increased Student Involvement, Education and Outreach, Long-term feasibility, and Scope of Impact. Over the past ten years, GAF has awarded $1.4 million to over 170 infrastructure, research, and engagement projects.

Monthly Update:

• Student Government passed a bill to put the Green Action Fee on the Spring 2024 Ballot.
• GAF has a new Grant Coordinator! See the section above for more information about Vee Grohovaz-Garcia.
• Have a proposal idea? Submit it now! The GAF committee will be voting on new projects during the spring semester. We look forward to seeing all your new ideas.
• GAF met with the Committee on Research on Creative Works (CRCW) to learn about their grant awarding and management processes.

Here are four ways to engage with us:

• Learn more about the Green Action Fund.
• Follow us on Instagram.
• Join us on Mountain Lion Connect.
• Visit our website.
• Attend a Green Action Fund General Meeting. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 24, 2024, from 10-12 pm at the Sustainability Demonstration House.
• Join the Green Action Fund Outreach Subcommittee. The Outreach Subcommittee's purpose is to promote awareness about 170+ GAF sustainability projects through tabling, events, and digital media. Please reach out to Keenan Powell to learn more about this Subcommittee.
• Propose a Sustainability Project. The GAF Committee will be reviewing proposals again starting this Spring! Have an idea you are really passionate about? You can send your proposals to our Grant Coordinator, Vee Grohovaz-Garcia.

Battery Recycling Update

Food To Power

• Who: Concrete Couch is a non-profit organization founded in 2013 with a mission "to cultivate a healthy, equitable food system in the greater Colorado Springs community."
• What: Food to Power is launching their first ever Hillside vendor list "to highlight neighborhood businesses and stories. Come celebrate these businesses with food and fun!"
• When: Saturday, December 16 from 4 pm to 6 pm.
• Where: 1090 S Institute St, Colorado Springs
• Register: RSVP
• For more information, visit https://foodtopowerco.org/events/hillside-holiday-party.

Liquid Lecture

• What: A monthly Brewshed Alliance lecture series, open to the community, with a focus on watershed health, education, and engagement.
• Topic: "The Twelve Days of Christmas: Colorado Bird Edition" with Dr. Claire Ramos, Assoc. Professor of Biology at CSU Pueblo.
• When: Wednesday, December 20th at 5 pm.
• Where: Brues Alehouse Brewing Co.
• RSVP to fcwdaa@gmail.com
• Facebook: Event information
• More Information: https://www.fountain-crk.org/liquid-lecture-series
• Hosted by the Fountain Creek Watershed District

Concrete Couch

• Who: Concrete Couch is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 with a mission to “work with kids and community groups to create public art, to build community, and to create environments and experiences that humanize our world.
• What: Concrete Couch offers fun, free, and fabulous programs for all ages throughout the month. Here is a list of their programs: Citizen Science, Tuesday Trails, Jam Band, Tree Care Program, Bike Program, Fab Lab, Grab Bag, and 2nd Saturday Sustainability Skill Share.
• When: Programs are offered throughout the month.
• Where: Concrete Coyote, 1100 South Royer Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
• For more information, visit http://www.concretecouch.org/.