University of Iowa students propose new 'green fee'

University of Iowa students might soon be able to opt into a "green" fee to fund sustainability efforts on campus.

Such a fee has proven successful at other universities.

Seth Vidana, campus sustainability manager for Western Washington University, said students pay approximately 70 cents per credit hour, amounting to roughly $7 a student for the mandatory green fee.

"We're able to get small pilot projects on the ground when funds are tight," Vidana said, and the fee has allowed officials to fund a $157,000 solar ray, water-bottle refilling stations, hand dryers, and a paper towel composting pilot.