Saving the environment is a noble goal, and the University of Northern Colorado has been taking steps toward that end. But how have those steps been affecting the students living on campus? For several years, the university has been collaborating with McKinstry consulting to make on-campus operations more efficient; this has lowered energy and water costs for the university, and even won them an award from Excel Energy for their efforts. But the university has also pushed a lot of the cost back onto students, whether directly or indirectly. New students are encouraged to purchase energy-saving appliances and fixtures on their own dime, while at the same time being charged fees and having services denied. On every student’s bill, there’s a $10 charge that goes towards the Student LEAF program. There’s no way to opt out of this fee, and while $10 isn’t much, when you’re paying it with student loans, it adds up. But most students feel this pressure in a much tenderer place: the shower....