The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) has announced that it will provide seed funding for Illinois faculty members to assist in preparing a proposal for external funding that will include using campus sustainability features and projects in their research related to sustainability.

Specifically, iSEE wants to leverage this seed money to attract external funds that are relevant to objectives from the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP).

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.

The Allerton Park Climate Action Plan (apCAP) is the first of a series of more detailed proposals to supplement the iCAP with goals and strategies specific to the needs and resources of on- and off-campus entities. By participating in the development of, and implementing the strategies outlined in, the apCAP, Allerton Park is continuing to exercise its dedication to environmental conservation, and serving as an example of ecological sustainability through institutional reform.

Project Paplet began in Malaysia as a paper recycling campaign aiming to take once-used paper and turn it into recycled notebooks for children in need. Localizing the project to the University of Illinois, students from the Society of Women Engineers will be collecting used paper from campus departments and producing hundreds of paplets to be donated to the on-campus Child Development Laboratory for use by the pupils.