The Turner Hall greenhouses can use a new and improved system for cooling that reduces the water usage.  Such a system was installated previously in one of the greenhouse rooms and the Student Sustainability Committee is is considering funding additional installations.

The capture of rainwater to use as irrigation or other purposes would reduce stormwater volume and usage of potable water on campus.

At the beginning of Fall 2013, the Center for a Sustainable Environment is hosting a series of Sustainability Meet and Greet coffees to facilitate campus-wide discussion and interest about sustainability efforts on campus and in the community.  These are spread over the entire work week, with coffee and snacks being offered Monday through Friday at the Illini Union from 10-11 each morning.  By offering the event multiple times during the week, it is hoped that more campus students, faculty, and staff will be able to participate.

To power an electric vehicle charging station at the Sustainable Student Farm, this project will install rooftop solar on the Fruit Farm Admin building. 

Campus Sustainability staff and advocates prepare reports and presentations about the climate commitments and related efforts. Many reports and presentations are shown in the project history for this project, as well as the related iCAP project pages.

The Office of Sustainability (OS) was charged with communicating and collaborating around
sustainability initiatives for the Urbana‐Champaign campus. The scope of the OS encompasses all facets
of the University’s mission: education, research, and engagement, as well as campus operations. As
such, the OS works closely with many diverse groups to further sustainability. Fortunately, the OS has
developed critical relationships with many to aide in completing its multi‐faceted charge.

Clemson University’s Construction Science and Management Department conducted a research survey that evaluates the social, economic, and environmental aspects of green construction. The research aims to identify the primary factors driving the ‘greening’ of University facilities. To accomplish the objective of this study they asked key personnel of the nation’s top Universities to provide feedback regarding their institution’s approach and philosophy.  At the University of Illinois, the survey was completed by Helen Coleman, the Director of Capital Programs at Urbana.

 

All campus dining halls have a trayless dining program, in which trays are not available in dining halls. Trayless dining saves 42,100 gallons of water in dining facilities each day, and 929,122 gallons a year.

The Illini Union's One Book, One Campus program centers around providing a shared experience for our community through reading the same book and engaging in dialogue to explore various themes. Lectures, book discussion groups, and many other activities will guide participants to learn about themselves and experience a unique sense of community.

The 2011-2013 book selection was Annie Leonard's 'The Story of Stuff,' which is about the harmful effects of excessive consumption in the United States. 

 In order to achieve the next potable water conservation goal of reducing use by 40 percent from 2008 to 2025 the University has begun to look at the 63 miles of water distribution lines which provide potable water to the campus. The Utilities division performed a survey of the water lines owned by the university in May 2012. This survey determined where there are undetected water main and water service leaks in the university system which will allow unaccounted for flow to be reduced and conserve water and money.