University of North Texas students voted in favor of a $5-per-semester “green fee” to fund student-driven, environmentally friendly campus projects.

The student vote took place last week during Earth Day celebrations, with 646 responses — nearly 2 percent of the students enrolled this semester.

About 89 percent of participating students supported the $5 per student, per semester fee, with 11 percent — 72 students — voting against the proposition, according to numbers released Tuesday.

UNT’s Board of Regents must approve the fee before it can go into effect.

The approved proposal could net an estimated $360,000 each year to fund student-driven projects. If approved, the $5 fee will begin in spring 2011 and remain for up to five years.

The initiative stems from a 2009 state law allowing public colleges and universities to establish student-supported fees.

Students at the University of Texas and Texas A&M University passed similar referendums supporting “green fees” last month.

UNT joins about 100 higher education institutions nationwide either implementing or voting on sustainability fees — an amazing accomplishment for the university, said Todd Spinks, director of the university’s Office of Sustainability.

The fund “will definitely be a significant resource to implement a variety of projects that will be more sustainable on campus,” Spinks said.

With less than 2 percent of the student body voting on the fee, there was a “very low” response rate, even compared with other student government elections, which typically garner about 4 percent to 5 percent responses, said Dakota Carter, Student Government Association president.

“We have a very hard time getting people out to vote,” Carter said. “But no one was to blame. We probably needed to do more marketing.”

Other large universities also have difficulty getting students to become more active in campus referendums.

Last fall, about 13.5 percent of the UNT student body — a record for student turnout — voted on a referendum and defeated the possibility of same-sex couples running for homecoming court in 2010.

While last week’s turnout was disappointing, Carter said he’s proud of the results, which mean students will be able to plan and see more environmentally friendly initiatives on their campus.

“The sky’s kind of the limit right now, with the amount of funds and a hard-core group on campus that continues to grow on a daily basis. … These funds will be used directly on projects that will make the campus better,” Carter said.

Ideas for student-driven projects include a sustainable university garden, a better recycling program, bicycle lanes, and organic food in the cafeteria, said Cameron Tharp, president of the North Texas Energy and Environment Club, which spearheaded the student-led campaign.

Long-term plans could include an arboretum, Tharp said.

Michael Bales, director of the community garden project on campus, said he and 40 campus volunteers are working to develop a specific fund or proposal to put before a newly formed sustainability council — comprised primarily of students — that will choose the projects funded by the new fee.

“The start-up would be the most expensive part, but we are hoping to generate revenue at Denton’s farmers market or Community Market and make sure the site is sustainable financially,” Bales said. “We don’t want this to be just a money sink on campus.”

From petitioning for the community garden project, there seems to be overwhelming support for the idea among faculty and students, said Bales, who also is a member of the environment club.

“Whether they voted or not, the student body believes it’s a worthwhile fee,” he said.

CANDACE CARLISLE can be reached at 940-566-6889. Her e-mail address is ccarlisle@dentonrc.com .