There are beautiful native plants at the Chi Omega plaza between the English Building and Lincoln Hall, near Wright Street.

Before 2016, the area near the College of Veterinary Medicine was often a victim of flooding. Beginning in May of that year and reaching completion in August, construction of the rain garden reduced the concern of flooding. Prairie Restoration, Inc. provided planting and initial watering. Although not as many of the seeds established themselves as expected due to heavy rain, the garden has been successful in preventing flooding. A surface incline leads to the garden, whose soil allows for the infiltration of rainwater.

The Fruit Farm Admin building uses geothermal energy.

Wassaja Hall was certified LEED Gold on February 18, 2017, achieving 67 out of 110 points on the LEED v2009 New Construction scorecard. To achieve its Gold-level certification, Wassaja Hall was judged on several factors, including water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation. The project earned a high number of points for water efficiency and indoor environmental quality. “University Housing is pleased and proud to have been awarded LEED Gold certification for Wassaja Hall,” said University Housing Director Alma R. Sealine.

This project upgrades general assignment classroom lighting campus-wide. The existing lamps in these fixtures are typically incandescent, which burnout quickly and are energy inefficient. When completed, this project provides new fixture-compatible LED lamps in all general assignment classrooms across campus, reducing electricity costs, improving board visibility, and improving student learning environments.

Facilities & Services (F&S) was Building a Lasting University Environment (BLUE) by pursuing departmental goals and projects that implement sustainable practices on campus and in the community.  This book contained highlights of recent efforts. 

The Idea Garden previously lacked access to electricity, making garden maintenance a challenge. Since the Idea Garden’s mission statement is “helping others learn to grow,” the volunteer-led team only wanted sustainable infrastructure added to its garden.

Graduate students and faculty members from Dance at Illinois and the School of Architecture collaborated to design and build our newest work center. Begun from the concept of sustainable rehabilitation, the Graduate Dance Center includes reclaimed basketball flooring from the Activities and Recreation Center and barn wood donated from alumni.

The Bevier Café is a learning laboratory where Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) students get hands on experience running a food service establishment. The goal of this project is to reduce the café’s waste stream by adding reusable to-go containers as an option for customers.