Campus Sustainability Council

Mission Statement

The role of the Campus Sustainability Council (CSC) is to provide funding to registered UCSC student organizations for programs and events that create, implement, and monitor environmentally sound practices on campus as established in the Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus. These organizations additionally facilitate greater collaboration between students, the administration, staff, faculty, and the community.

For applicants who have applied in previous years: All recipients of CSC grants are required to complete an evaluation at the end of the year or upon finishing their grant project(s). This evaluation helps ensure accountability to the student body that contributes to the CSC fund and supports sustainability organizations by highlighting and sharing key lessons learned.

CSC Grant Application

The CSC grant application process is now open! The deadline to apply is May 2nd, 2025. The grant application process has been updated so please take some time to review and email us at csc@ucsc.edu if you have any questions.

Applicant Qualifications

The Campus Sustainability Council shall only fund a group of students registered under SOAR, Student Media, OPERS, a college, or a department. Additional groups may be funded on a case-by-case basis at the present council’s discretion. The CSC shall define a registered student organization as a group of students that meet the following:

  • A group of a minimum of four undergraduate students that demonstrate a high level of governance over their project implementation,

  • A clear internal structure of meeting times and locations, student positions, and responsibilities for the organization's membership regarding campus fiscal procedures,

  • Regular meetings sufficient to facilitate informed member participation in decisions,

  • A UCSC unit that agrees to serve as the sponsor and administrator of the organization's funds that understands and is accountable to the responsibilities of the position,

  • An updated document on file with the sponsoring unit that describes clear goals and objectives for the organization, its membership, decision-making processes, amendments, and the election/selection procedures of authorized representatives,

  • Students must remain the primary source of innovation, direction, and implementation of all projects.

  • Relevancy to the Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus 

This discretionary funding is possible under the language of the ballot measure, specifically: “The CSC shall have full and sole decision-making power over all funding allocation and programming decisions so long as those decisions are consistent with SUA and University policy and the law.”

Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus

The Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus is a multi-use, living document that strives to encompass the current visions of students, faculty, staff, and community members that have come together to share their ideas and goals for the future of UCSC at the annual Campus Earth Summit event. This document is meant to serve as a launching point for students to create meaningful, collaborative projects on campus that inspire lasting change. The Blueprint also acts as a guide for student organizations interested in receiving funding from the Campus Sustainability Council for the upcoming school year. While the Blueprint reflects no commitments from the administration, the process through which it is compiled displays multiple points of collaboration throughout the campus and community.

  • Student groups eligible for funding by the Campus Sustainability Council (CSC) must be registered under SOAR, Student Media, OPERS, a college, or a department. Additionally, the CSC may fund other groups on a case-by-case basis at their discretion.

  • To qualify as a registered student organization, the group must consist of at least four undergraduate students, demonstrate strong governance over their project implementation, and have a clear internal structure with defined meeting times, roles, and responsibilities. They must hold regular meetings to support informed participation, be sponsored by a UCSC unit that will administer funds, and have an updated document on file outlining their goals, decision-making processes, and election procedures. Most importantly, students must be the main drivers of innovation and implementation, and all projects must align with the Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus and comply with SUA, university policies, and the law.

    • Review the Updated Application: The CSC grant application process has been updated, so even if you’ve applied in previous years, you should carefully review the new guidelines and requirements.

    • Prepare Your Application: Submit your grant application by the deadline of May 2nd, 2025. Be sure to include all required information, such as your project proposal, budget, timeline, and how your project aligns with the Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus.

    • Ensure Eligibility: Make sure your group is either:

      • Registered under SOAR, Student Media, OPERS, a college, or a department,
        OR

      • Meets CSC’s definition of a registered student organization and obtains discretionary approval if you're outside those listed units.

    • Evaluation Requirement: If you’re a recurring applicant and have previously received CSC funding, you must complete a project evaluation at the end of your funded project or by the end of the academic year. This evaluation helps demonstrate accountability and shares important insights with the campus sustainability community.

    • Questions?: If anything is unclear or you need help, you’re encouraged to reach out to the CSC at csc@ucsc.edu.