January
16th 2009
Posted under UTERN News
Too much text on those other pages? Read our FAQ to get an idea for what UTERN really is.
What UTERN does
Q: What does UTERN do?
A: We are essentially treasurers for the 50-cent-per-undergraduate-student Environmental levy at the University of Toronto. Students/student groups ask us to fund their activities and initiatives, and we do.
Q: Do you only sponsor environmental stuff?
A: Officially. But that doesn’t restrict our interests to trees. We support issues of social justice, water scarcity, activism, sustainable food, etc. (As individuals, many of us are also members of other student groups and have organized events ourselves.)
Q: Global warming is a lie. I don’t want to pay for this.
A: You can opt out of the levy by contacting UTSU. Also, there is indisputable evidence for climate change whether or not you think there’s warming.
Q: What have you done with the levy recently?
A: A lot. But we have a lot more.We’ve even got money left over from last year. So give us something to do with it.
What UTERN will pay for
Q: Will you help my student group show a movie on the positive and negative side effects of Alberta’s tar sands industry on local communities?
A: Yes.
Q: Will you help some of us organize a locally themed food shop on campus?
A: Probably.
Q: Will you help me if I’m not in a student group?
A: Yes, but only projects affiliated with students groups qualify for funding. We will hook you up with groups who can help you out.
Q: I want to join a student group, but U of T is so big I don’t know where to find one.
A: Check out the official listing of Environmental groups. Talk to David Powell, he’s a cool guy. Or start your own… It’s free!
Q: Wow, David Powell really is a cool guy.
A: Go tell him, he’ll appreciate it. He also likes hockey.
Q: So, will you help with my tuition for a course on Global Warming?
A: No.
Information for student groups
Q: Can my student group get 50 cents from everyone, too?
A: No… UTERN’s levy is for your student group. Just ask us for the money.
Q: What do you mean by “environmental”? Does my event have to be about global warming, or veganism, or communism?…
A: We mean “things that involve the health of our environment”. This includes global warming, veganism, sustainable carnivorism, sustainability in general, and most other things you’d expect.
Q: I’m at UTM (Mississauga Campus) and/or UTSC (Scarborough Campus). Does this include me?
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
Q: Are UTM and UTSC treated differently?
A: No.
Q: Will you sponsor a recurring (annual, weekly, daily) event?
A: Funding projects are evaluated and awarded funding based on how well they give something back to the UofT Green community.
Q: Where can I get even more information?
A: You can read our Constitution if you like. There’s nothing more serious than a Constitution.