Bursar/Student Accounts > Operation GreenBill

Operation GreenBill

The Office of Student Accounts has launched "Operation GreenBill", providing the option for students to "opt-out" of receiving a paper bill; a bill that is currently available as an Adobe Acrobat PDF on SOLAR. This represents our effort to protect, conserve, and improve our environment.

Some Background

During the 2007 - 2008 School year alone, we mailed over 80,000 pages of paper bills to students. This works out to be approximately 8,000 pages of paper each month! (Detailed mailing statistics.)

In addition, each bill is mailed in a "window" envelope, and includes a return mail envelope. Additionally, we include with each billing statement pamphlets and user's guides.

Even if these items are recycled (which we hope!), the recycling process still involves the use of energy, water, and other resources.

So we asked ourselves, with a system such as SOLAR in place, which allows students to view their bill online with no paper waste, could we reduce the number of bills we print?

After surveying some students, it became apparent that a number of students refer to SOLAR for current billing statements, and would be open to opting-out of receiving a paper bill. The GreenBill initiative was started!

In addition to the environmental benefits to enrolling, there are benefits to the students who choose to enroll as well!

A paper bill may become obsolete the moment it is printed. Any change(s) to accounts made after the date of printing, will not be reflected on that bill. However, the bill that is available on SOLAR is updated any time a change is made, and therefore it represents the most up-to-date information available.

As of the date of this site's development, the Student Accounts office has already had well over 250 Fall 2008 semester bills returned by the Post Office as undeliverable. While we will, of course, recycle the paper these bills were printed on, this still means that all of these students have not received their semester bill. GreenBill enrollees will be reminded that their bill is available online, and will never have to risk their bill not being delivered to them.

Ready to enroll?

Great! Enrollment is quick and easy, and is done on SOLAR. Detailed instructions are available.

Still have questions, or want additional information?

You can check out our Frequently Asked Questions, or email us at: GreenBill@notes.cc.sunysb.edu.

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