Illinois is home to over 20 different sustainability student organizations focused on educating students about aspects of sustainability ranging from producing energy from algae, to sustainable design practices, to environmental activism.  These student organizations meet on a regular basis under the umbrella of the Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC). The SSLC is a place for student leaders to interact and collaborate, along with representatives from the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, serving as a two-way conduit of information and concerns about campus sustainability issues.  Students have a voice in the decisions being made about how our campus reduces its environmental footprint. Campus could broaden the impact of the SSLC by posting monthly meeting minutes online.

Students also directly contribute financially to the campus sustainability projects. The Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) is a student-led campus committee charged with the distribution of two student fees, totaling over $1.1M per year: the Sustainable Campus Environment Fee and the Cleaner Energy Technologies Fee. With the ultimate goal of making the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign a leader in campus sustainability, SSC solicits, reviews, and recommends funding projects that increase environmental stewardship, inspire change, and impact students.  Campus will continue to support the SSC’s efforts, through employee time for faculty and staff advisors to the SSC as well as administrative support as needed.

Additionally, the multitude of student groups offer events throughout the year, for their group members or wider audiences.  These events are generally well-attended and they should be encouraged.  Campus will continue to support these events, with administrative assistance from iSEE.  iSEE staff also help with arranging rooms, communicating about upcoming events, and sharing success stories with campus administration.