You are here

Project Updates for collection: Living Lab Facilities / Programs

Search

Search tips:

  • This form will search for words in the title OR the description. If you would like to search for the same term(s) across both the title and description, enter the same search term(s) in both fields.
  • This form will search for any of the words you enter in a field, not the exact phrase you enter. If you would like to search for an exact phrase, put double quotes (") around the phrase. For example, if you search for Bike Path you will get results containing either the word Bike OR the word Path, but if you search for "Bike Path" you will get results containing the exact phrase Bike Path.

  1. 02.20 Engagement Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Advance Student Sustainability Outreach Efforts
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach
    Engagement iCAP Team
    Certified Green Office Program (CGOP)
    Certified Green Chapter Program

    The meeting covered several key updates and discussions on sustainability initiatives. The Chair provided updates on the Green Training Program survey, seeking feedback on student engagement strategies. The Vice Chair discussed efforts for a greener campus, including outreach to Greek Life. The Clerk emphasized the importance of in-person meetings and marketing materials. Guest speakers highlighted upcoming events like Sustainapalooza and Illinifest, stressing the logistical challenges and opportunities for student involvement. Discussions included promotional outreach, sustainability projects such as Greener Chapters yard signs and low-maintenance greenery at ISR, and the importance of connecting sustainability efforts across campus. Additionally, engagement team members offered support for these initiatives, and an approved course for next semester was announced. Adam encouraged members to consider speaking at the sustainability film festival.

    Attached Files: 

  2. Weekly Digest

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    We have been surprisingly busy here at CBC so far this year. We’ve sold a few bikes thus far and seen a couple Build-a-Bikes head out the door—all good things!

    Over the weekend, TBP volunteers and I tackled the abandoned bikes in the barn. Made some good progress and had almost a dozen folks on hand helping to sort/strip/move bikes out. Will have to take a few more cracks at it before we completely empty the space but got a good start. Great to see so many volunteers come out—many hands make light work!
     

    The numbers (1/22 – 1/31):

    Visitors: 73
    Sales: 1,371
    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $610
    Bikes (B-a-B): 3 for $180
    Memberships: 15 for $450
    Tires/tubes: 4 for $19.50

  3. Fall 2024 Semester Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Models for Campus Facilities

    Professor Yun Yi provided an update on the building energy modeling project:

    With the help of students, I created initial energy models for three campus buildings: Newmark Civil Engineering, Bevier Hall, and Allen Hall. The students were able to build detailed models of the HVAC systems for each building. The next step is to calibrate these models using actual meter data. While the students made good progress, the calibration still requires some advanced fine-tuning.

    I’m planning to hire a student to focus on this calibration work. As we discussed, your help in hiring an assistant for the semester would be greatly appreciated. This would be a 25% appointment for a master’s student, with compensation similar to last semester.

  5. Weekly Digest

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    As expected, we were slow last week. We held an instructional course but did not get any attendees as it was cold and snowy—no surprise there! We will schedule more classes next semester.

    We’re still low on kids’ bike donations and hovering around 50 or so. Have a meeting with IMC folks this week to discuss logistics.

    As a late decision, the Bike Center will be the starting point for a community bike ride this coming Sunday, December 15th at 2p, which will hopefully get some folks aware of our space that may not have been otherwise.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 25
    Sales: $209
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Tires/tubes: 5 for $39

  6. iCAP Engagement Team November Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach
    Engagement iCAP Team
    Certified Greener Campus Programs
    Certified Green Office Program (CGOP)

    On Friday, November 22nd, the iCAP Engagement Team held its monthly meeting. The team discussed ways to engage the campus community more, specifically students, and shared updates on OneIllinois, Greener Campus, and Earth Month. We discussed the possibility of using social media to increase engagement or physical fliers and posters. We also welcomed a guest speaker from the Zero Waste Team who discussed Sustain Illinois, a magazine that outlines what is currently happening around campus as well as how the average person can become involved in sustainability in the community. We also discussed having in-person meetings and events next semester for the team and small ways we can all be more sustainable. One call to action was for staff and faculty to consider making their office spaces green-certified and brainstorming ways to reach the Greek life population. Our next meeting will be December 20th. 

    Attached Files: 

  7. Weekly Digest

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    We were closed all last week for the break.

     

    We’re ramping up for our Kids Bike Giveaway event. We even got some coverage on WCIA: https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-county/annual-bike-giveaway-planned-for-dec-14-in-urbana/

    As is, we’re a little low on donations compared to years’ past, so hopefully this’ll be a good bump.

     

    This evening is a lecture/instructional class on bike repair, but with colder and snowier weather, attendance will likely be low.

     

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 35
    Sales: $497.50
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
    Tires/tubes: 3 for $36

  8. Transportation Team Student Research

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Mobility on and around the Illinois campus
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Install Public Use Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike

    This past week, Sarthak and I met with the students on the Transportation Team to discuss their various research projects for the rest of this semester and the upcoming semester. We met with Pun Siripun on Nov. 11th, at 12pm; Charles Okoli on Nov. 14th, 12pn; Sebastian Vega on Nov. 15th, at 11am; and Mitchell Bryant on Nov. 15th at 1pm.

    The goal is to have each student conduct research on 30 or so universities in regards to various elements of transportation infrastructure, then present a final report on findings and recommendations for Illinois. The hope is that the schools are widespread, spanning from similar Midwest contexts as us to east and west coast.

    Pun will be examining EV Charging available at other schools and whether extending that in Urbana Champaign would be economically feasible and environmentally beneficial.

    Charles is reviewing Micro mobility. The goal is to promote micro mobility as alternative modes of transit, but to avoid enforcement costs and the safety of all (pedestrians and users). How have other schools done that well?

    Sebastian is studying the commuter program at Illinois and how other universities have implemented it successfully. How did they incentivize it? How did they fund it?

    Mitchell is researching the storage of micro mobility devices and how they can be expanded on campus. 

    Looking forward to hearing about their research and their suggestions for Illinois!

  9. Weekly Digest

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    Spent time tracking down a few new sources for kids’ bikes, as this year we aren’t receiving a large number of donations yet. At this point, we're looking at a little more than 20 kids bikes. 

     

    Visitors: 53
    Sales: $724.25
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $225
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $50

  10. Weekly digest

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    The Bike Center received a few more donations and started processing the abandoned bike pile which they'll continue to tackle throughout the week. There was a mention in E-Week for their Kids Bike Giveaway and already have donations lined up. 

    Visitors: 66
    Sales: $575.10
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $140
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Tires/tubes: 9 for $69

  11. SSLC newsletter promotes SSC Working Groups

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Groups with Sustainability Focus
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)

    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) ♻️

    The Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) is a student-led organization charged with distributing two student fees: 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, the SSC reviews, recommends, and funds projects that increase environmental stewardship, inspire change, and impact students. Feel free to attend our weekly or biweekly meetings to learn more about SSC, workshop your projects and ideas, meet more people, and overall get more involved in sustainability on campus!

     

    Working Groups and Meetings- SSC Calendar

    • Food and Waste: Biweekly on Mondays 2:30-3:30pm (Oct. 28th, Nov. 11th, Nov. 25th)
    • Education and Justice: Biweekly on Tuesdays 4:00-5:00pm (Oct. 29th, Nov. 12th, Nov. 26th)
    • Energy + Transportation and Infrastructure: Biweekly on Tuesdays 5:00-6:00pm (Oct. 29th, Nov. 12th, Nov. 26th)
    • Land, Air, and Water: Biweekly on Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm (Oct. 30th, Nov. 13th, Nov. 27th) 
    • Communications: Weekly on Tuesdays 6:00-7:00pm
    • Social Initiatives: Weekly on Thursdays 5:00-6:00pm

  12. Weekly digest

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    They finalized the date and times for our Kids Bike Giveaway event: 12/14/24 from 2 – 4p at Urbana IMC building, so they submit work orders for signage/posters/social media posts. Thus far, we’ve gotten zero donations of kids’ bikes, but between both shops we have ~15 to start working through. 

    They'll also have their first instructional class on how to fix a flat tomorrow.

     

    Visitors: 69

    Sales: $1,153.50

    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $395

    Memberships: 20 for $600

    Tires/tubes: 22 for $163

  13. Weekly update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    The Bike Center hired 2 new staff members and got a new inventory of kids' bikes that are already in the works of getting fixed up. Posters are printed and hung at CBC for donations to the Kids’ Bike Giveaway. Posters and flyers were also given to Urbana staff for them to display in their space. 

     

    Visitors: 110

    Sales: $1,153.50

    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $200

    Memberships: 20 for $600

    Tires/tubes: 22 for $163

  14. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Manageable levels of busyness last week. I think our visit numbers have declined slightly, which makes sense for the time of year. Highlights of the week: Received a couple worthwhile direct donations. Fixed up a couple kids’ bikes. Had a student staff interview. Got a few B-a-Bs out the door. The law professor who’s into bikes has become a regular Friday volunteer.

    The TBP Monthly Member meeting is tonight, which I will attend. This week is also the deadline for abandoned bike retrieval, so I will do a rough inventory of keep/scrap. We also may table at the Green Quad Day, if I have available staff since it overlaps with our open hours. Have a lot of loose wheels that are of questionable quality that we need to deal with, too.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 82
    Sales: 865.51
    Bikes (B-a-B): 3 for $160
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Tires/tubes: 11 for $112

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  15. Weekly Update: Bike week, busy week

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    Light the Night

    All, Another busy week with the fun addition of Bike To Work Day and Light The Night. Haven’t seen the numbers yet but both events went well,  I believe. Friday was surprisingly slow here, which was great since I had staff out sick. We had a BTWD participant follow up and volunteer with us on Friday, which was great.

    With the previously mentioned events out of the way, it’s on to prep for the abandoned bikes being released to us soon. Space is at a premium, so we’ll have to get creative and/or judicial in the bikes we utilize. Hope to get a few more bikes on the sales floor. We also already have one bike ready to go for our Kids Bike Giveaway.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 103
    Sales: $1,230
    Bikes (B-a-B): 3 for $150
    Memberships: 19 for $570
    Tires/tubes: 25 for $187

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  16. Weekly Update: Bike Week

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    Light the Night

    All, It’s Bike Week! Bike To Work Day and Light The Night are this week, so we’re prepping for that. Still busy here, too, during our open hours. We’re moving more build-a-bikes and have 3 bikes in the queue for the sales floor. After this week we’re on to the abandoned bikes from the last round up. Always fun around here!

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 122
    Sales: $1,801.50
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $340
    Bikes (B-a-B): 3 for $210
    Memberships: 25 for $750
    Tires/tubes: 30 for $237

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center
     

  17. Weekly Update: Bike to Work Day, Light the Night, B-a-B

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Another busy week, although slightly less so since we’re out of refurbished bikes. We’ll have a trickle of one or two available as I’m able to fix them but we’re far too slammed during open hours to build any.

    Bike To Work Day and Light the Night are next week, so I’ll be rallying staff for that and handling other prep as needed. Getting a few more B-a-Bs prepped and a bike or two on the sales floor, too.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 122
    Sales: $1,387.75
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $200
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $60
    Memberships: 24 for $720
    Tires/tubes: 19 for $116

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  19. Weekly Update: Build-a-Bike

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Busy as can be last week. We’re sold out of refurbished bikes and have only a handful of Build-a-Bikes available. We have 3 new hires in the pipeline, which’ll help. Meanwhile, this week is absolutely perfect riding weather—hope folks are getting out there!

    Our newer B-a-B model of handling some of the harder repairs has really helped accessibility to the program. With 3 this week alone, that’s more than we sometimes get completed in 6 months. Lowering barriers of entry is always a good thing!

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 187
    Sales: $2,027
    Memberships:  27(!) for $810
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $345
    Bikes (B-a-B): 3 for $153
    Tires/tubes: 34 for $256

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  20. YMCA Dump & Run Numbers

    Associated Project(s): 
    Dump and Run

    During the Aug. 5 - Aug. 17 collections we had roughly 280 donation drop offs (increased over last year by about 30)

    • We conducted 39 furniture pickups on the two Saturdays
    • 118 volunteers worked 980 hours over the three weeks between collecting, sorting, pricing, the Big Sale and cleanup (7 more volunteers and 170 more hours than last year)
    • 12 staff members, including myself, contributed 267 hours at the Stock Pavilion
    • Roughly 3,700 people attended the Big Sale over the weekend, including at least 1,000 students (probably much more), compared to an estimated 2,500 total last year
    • The Big Sale grossed a little over $29,000, well past our budget goals, and an increase over last year (just under 23k)
    • What little that was left, which wasn't much, was mostly either recycled or donated to Salt & Light for additional reuse.

    Overall it was an excellent and incredibly smooth year!

Pages