MTSU’s student-led sustainability effort surpasses $7.6M investment

For nearly two decades, students at Middle Tennessee State University have done more than talk about sustainability — they’ve put their money behind it.

Since 2006, MTSU’s Sustainable Campus Fee program has invested more than $7.6 million in renewable energy, conservation and campus improvement projects. Funded by an $8 per-semester student fee, the program allows students to directly support sustainability initiatives across campus while having a voice in how the money is spent.

“They’re taking money out of their own pockets each semester because they value energy efficiency and sustainability. That says a lot about their commitment,” said Danny Kelley, interim vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, who chairs the Sustainable Campus Fee committee.

For the 2025–26 cycle, students allocated more than $256,000 to support 26 projects and the purchase of renewable energy. According to Kristin England, sustainability manager for the Center for Energy and Sustainability (CES), the program gives students the opportunity to see their ideas come to life.

“Students want a say in how money is spent on campus to make it more sustainable. They’re able to see the ideas come to life and make real changes on our campus,” England said.

The program began as the Clean Energy Fee after the Student Government Association passed a resolution dedicating student funds toward renewable energy and conservation efforts. MTSU was among the first universities in Tennessee to implement such a fee, setting an example that other institutions would later follow.

Joe Whitefield, assistant vice president of MTSU’s Facilities Services Department, said the initiative grew out of earlier campus energy efforts, including construction of the university’s cogeneration plant in the late 1990s. The natural gas-fired turbine generates 5 megawatts of electricity to power campus and captures waste heat to produce steam for heating buildings.

“Students wanted to invest in cleaner forms of energy and make a visible difference,” Whitefield said. “The goal was to purchase green power and support meaningful projects on campus. Nearly 20 years later, it’s still going strong.”

Each fall, campus departments and organizations submit proposals outlining anticipated financial and energy savings. A voting committee made up of four students and one faculty member reviews the applications and determines which projects to fund. Kelley serves as chair, with Whitefield as co-chair, guiding the process to ensure proposals meet established guidelines.

In addition to approving nearly all project applications for 2025–26, the committee authorized the purchase of $22,500 in renewable energy through the Tennessee Valley Authority’s EnergyRight Green Switch program, supporting cleaner energy production statewide.

Over the years, the fee has funded a wide range of visible and behind-the-scenes improvements. Solar picnic tables, recycling at tailgating events and water bottle refill stations are among the projects students see every day. Other efforts such as LED lighting upgrades, energy-efficient equipment and building improvements may be less noticeable but provide long-term cost and energy savings.

The program has also supported the campus Seed Library in James E. Walker Library and contributed to the development and maintenance of the MTSU Arboretum, including tree planting and upkeep. Funding has helped expand hard-to-recycle material collection programs and underwrite annual Earth Month sustainability events each April.

“There are things students see every day, and then there are projects behind the scenes that still make a significant impact,” Kelley said. “All of it adds up.”

University leaders say the program’s longevity reflects a culture of shared responsibility.

“To think students wanted to take the lead and financially contribute to sustainability efforts — and have continued to support it for nearly two decades — is impressive,” Kelley said. “It’s made a real difference for this campus.”

As MTSU continues to grow its sustainability efforts, the Sustainable Campus Fee remains a student-driven force shaping a greener future.

“There have been a lot of good things happen on campus because of this,” England said. “From the community garden to the arboretum to recycling programs — students can point to real changes and know they helped make them happen.”

The Center for Energy and Sustainability is also preparing for Earth Month celebrations in April, which will include Earth Day festivities, a free plant giveaway and a special speaking engagement featuring renowned conservationist Doug Tallamy.