Creighton Student Sustainability Action Fund (CSSAF)

Mission

The mission of the Creighton Student Sustainability Action Fund (CSSAF) is to contribute to building a culture of sustainability at Creighton University by enabling, supporting, and financing student-driven initiatives that collaboratively tackle interconnected environmental, social and economic issues.

Below you can also see a list of previously funded student projects and explore the Nebraska Native Pollinator Garden, a student-driven project funded by the CSSAF.

Student Proposals

Have an idea but need help with your proposal? Reach out to Sustainability@creighton.edu today! We can talk through your proposal idea with you and provide feedback prior to you submitting the proposals.

Curious about what types of proposals achieve the goals and intentions of the CSSAF?

Here are a few ideas to help you get started! Keep in mind that events can be resource-intensive and generate large amounts of waste. We encourage you to be mindful of an event's environmental impacts and have a plan to reduce those impacts by incorporating sustainable practices into your proposal.

A book discussion group or movie screening event
A resource-conservation or waste-reduction competition
A holiday or seasonally themed event that has a global or sustainability focus
A program to educate students about sustainable practices
A make and take or upcycling activity

Themes that student proposals might address (but are not limited to) include water, energy, waste, transit, food, consumption of goods, biodiversity, impacts of extreme weather, and more.

Previously Funded Proposals

GreenJays Energy Reduction Challenge (Energy conservation)
Nu Rho Psi Move Out Project (Waste diversion)
School of Medicine/Phoenix M1 and M2 Sustainability Week Challenge (Eco-friendly actions)
Women's Journey Menstrual Cup Program (Waste reduction)
Campus Native Nebraska Pollinator Garden (Increasing biodiversity)
School of Medicine/Phoenix M2 Second Chance Mending Event (Reducing consumption, waste reduction)
School of Medicine/Phoenix M2 Menstrual Cup Program (Waste reduction)
School of Medicine/Phoenix Sustainability Week (Eco-friendly actions)
School of Medicine/Phoenix Paint-a-Tote Event (Reusables)
Swanson Hall/Honors Sustainability is Totes Cool Event (Reusables, eco-friendly actions)
School of Medicine/Phoenix Heat Relief Pack Education & Distribution Event (Environmental justice)

Expand for more +

Email Us About Your Proposal

How to Apply

Students wishing to apply for CSSAF grants should complete the online CSSAF Application Form. Please reach out to Sustainability@creighton.edu if you have any questions about the application process. We are happy to meet with you in-person, via Zoom, or by phone to discuss your proposal.

Submit Application

Important Dates

To be considered for review and funding, applicants must complete the online CSSAF Application Form and submit required letter of support no later than one week prior to CSSAF meeting. This allows the CSSAF Governance Committee members time to thoroughly review proposals prior to voting. Applications received less than one week prior will be reviewed and considered at the following month's meeting.

Fall 2024 Meetings and Submission Deadlines

Monday, August 26, 2 - 3 p.m. (proposals must be submitted by August 19 to be considered at the August meeting)
Monday, September 23, 2 - 3 p.m. (proposals must be submitted by September 16 to be considered at the September meeting)
Monday, October 29, 2 - 3 p.m. (proposals must be submitted by October 21 to be considered to be considered at the October meeting)
Monday, November 25, 2 - 3 p.m. (proposals must be submitted by November 18 to be considered at the November meeting)

Have a proposal idea but need assistance? Reach out to Sustainability@creighton.edu.

Submit Application

2024-2025 CSSAF Governance Committee

Student Voting Members: Alyssa Gove (At-Large), Ella Hiddleston (Appointed by the Sustainable Governance Committee), Colin MacKelly (At-Large), Savannah Peters (Appointed by the Creighton Students Union), Graham Siefker (Appointed by the GreenJays)

Employee Non-Voting Members: Sheri Bacon (Appointed by the Division of Finance), Andrew Baruth (Standing member from the Office of Sustainability Programs), Becky Crowell (Standing member from the Office of Sustainability Programs), Jay Leighter (Appointed by the Environmental Science and Sustainability Programs), Cathy Rupprecht (Appointed by Facilities Management), Brian McKenzie (Appointed by Division of Student Life)

Thank you to Bryce Ferguson, Benjamin Kinkor, Jessica Barich, and Durham Kelly for their service on the Committee during 2023-2024. We wish you the best as you start the next chapter after graduation!

Important Documents

CSSAF By-laws

Overview of CSSAF Purchasing and Reimbursements

CSSAF Purchase Request Form
CSSAF Method A Overview (Purchases made with personal funds)
- Method A Reimbursement Form
CSSAF Method B Overview (Purchases made with University PCard)
- Method B Reimbursement Form

Sample Sustainability Project

Nebraska Native Pollinator Garden

Sustainability efforts, such as the pollinator garden, are always looking for student involvement. To get involved with a sustainability project of your own, please email Sustainability@creighton.edu.

View Garden Project