Summer 2014 SESF Awards: Funding Sustainability for Student Growth

Student Environmental Sustainability Fund (SESF) Logo

The Student Environmental Sustainability Fund (SESF) awarded funds to three exciting programs. The SESF is a committee of student, staff, and faculty representatives who allocate funds to projects that contribute to both sustainability goals and educational growth.

Transportation Incentives: $33,125

Transportation incentives assist in enrolling students, staff, and faculty in Bellevue College’s rideshare program, BC RideMatch. Additionally, they are used for targeted transportation outreach programs, such as Bike to School month. Over the last two years, the transportation incentives program has enrolled over 800 students, staff, and faculty into BCRideMatch. Not only do incentives promote new behaviors and habits, they provide the College with information and reporting data for its transportation demand management strategies. Incentives play a vital role in Bellevue College’s transportation demand management program. Since new bus cuts will impact transit riders, Bellevue College will need to increase awareness of transportation alternatives.

Transportation Assistance: $22,000

Bellevue College partners with Hopelink in offering transportation assistance during the first two weeks of every quarter, this program provides transportation advising to new students, acquainting them with transit alternatives and routes for accessing campus. The original grant operated between Fall 2013 through Summer 2015.  Due to the recent bus cuts, there is a need to continue robust transportation advising and outreach in the coming years. This $22,000 extends the partnership for an additional two years to Spring 2017. Coordinating with Hopelink on Transportation outreach has dramatically improved interest in transportation alternatives. In Fall 2013, commuter checks sold out in the first five days. Surveys report transit usage by BC students has increase and single occupancy vehicle commuting has decreased. Since beginning the partnership in Fall 2013, Hopelink and volunteers have allocated 294 hours to outreach and education, they have engaged 1,377 members of the community, and they have attended each orientation for ESL, ISP, as well as other events.

AASHE Conference: $6,500

Bellevue College will attend the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Conference in Portland, Oregon on October 26-29. Conferences present a leadership opportunity for students interested in sustainability education and community development. Sustainability at Bellevue College requests funds to take 5 students at-large to AASHE. Students will be invited to apply for the ability to attend. Their applications will be evaluated according to their level of commitment and interest in sustainability. Students will be required to bring their conference experience back to campus so they can educate their peers. Learn more and apply here.

Last Updated August 28, 2014