Cal Poly Humboldt
PAE-T2-7: Student-Managed Sustainable Investment Fund

The Humboldt Energy Independence Fund (HEIF) was established in 2007 with the urging of the students. The fund is generated from a $10 student fee and uses this capital to provide funding for student designed projects that reduce the environmental impact of energy use by the campus. HEIF is unique in that it also funds student positions within the program. Student positions include managerial roles, proposal development, as well as campus studies, and project implementation positions. These positions give students real world experience designing and implementing projects while interacting with mentors, which can include faculty, the Office of Sustainability, Plant Operations, Facilities Planning, and the Schatz Energy Research Lab. Projects that receive funding are selected by a student majority committee that includes staff and faculty members. Projects approved in the past include HVAC building retrofits, a waste diversion study, installation of a photovoltaic system, and automated hydration stations. All projects are implemented with student involvement whenever feasible.