All, Been slow but good here, as we’re in a lull between spring semester and summer sessions. Slow times allow us to provide better service to the folks that do come through, so that’s a positive.

Training up new staff and trying to keep on top of builds/donations as the spring and summer clean outs have netted us a good amount of bikes. But of course no matter how many bikes we have for sale, we’ll sell out come August. A good problem to have, I suppose.

The numbers:

Visitors: 31
Sales: $841
Memberships: 6 for $180
Bikes (refurb): 2 for $335
Tires/tubes: 10 for $72

Thanks!

Jacob Benjamin
Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

The Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Susan Martinis, the Interim Vice Chancellor for Administration and Operations Lowa Mwilambwe, the Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Facilities & Services Jeff Angiel, the Director of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Madhu Khanna, and the iSEE Associate Director for Campus Sustainability Jennifer Fraterrigo met on May 15, 2025 to discuss the status of the Green Research program and the staffing request.

While everyone agreed that the program and coordinator position are important, the group felt that the timing is not right to ask for a new position given the current economic climate and impending budget recission for F&S. The VCRI suggested we brief the Sustainability Council next fall to inform Provost Coleman and the future chancellor about this effort. Everyone deeply appreciates the committee’s work on this topic and remains enthusiastic about implementing the program once we are in a better financial position. 

The Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) met on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 1 - 2:30 p.m.. Following was the agenda for the meeting:

• Introduction – Morgan White (5 minutes)
• Old Business
  • F&S TDM Status Update – Stacey DeLorenzo and Sarthak Prasad (25 minutes)
  • Lincoln Ave Corridor Study (North of Florida Ave) – CCRPC (15 minutes)
  • Bike Share Updates– Sarthak Prasad (5 minutes)
• New Business
  • EV infrastructure research – Bhagyashree (10 minutes)
  • E-bike research – Bhagyashree (10 minutes)
  • Air Travel Emissions research – Karina Jang (10 minutes)
  • 2025 Transportation Survey – Sepideh Azizi (10 minutes)
• Community Updates – (5 minutes) 

Please see attached the slides from meeting. To view the recording, please go to https://uofi.box.com/s/f9vq8w52a4tjmu154ecuspfyfjqb9784.

Students from the Dept of Landscape Architecture, Dept of Civil Engineering, and faculty advisors have submitted to the 2025 EPA Rainworks Challenge. 

Hi Ali,

Great to hear you are seeing milkweed emerging!  I walked the field a couple of weeks ago and at that time they were not coming up yet.  I was also looking to see if any of the milkweed seeds dispersed in January were coming up but again, I think I was too early.  I plan to get out there again soon to check those areas to see if any of the seeds are germinating.  Attached is the map, areas highlighted in red are where the milkweed seeds were added.

My direction to the Grounds mowing crew is not to mow the low mow field until late Nov-December at the earliest or in late February, early March of 2026.  If we happen to have a breakthrough of noxious weeds between now and then we will strategically spot treat or spot mow the outbreak area.  Moving forward, I instructed that before any such action is taken, I must approve it.  If I agree action needs to be taken, I will reach out to you to discuss what we are seeing and what measures we feel need to be taken.

I like the idea of registering the field as a Monarch Waystation but I will have to check to see if that is something we/you can pursue and let you know.

Thanks,

Ryan

From: Lewis, Ali 
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2025 11:47 AM
Subject: Low Mow Zone Field by CRC: Monarch Waystation

Dear Ryan and Grounds Crew,

There is milkweed emerging in the field south of the Children’s Research Field. Last summer, this low mow zone field was mowed twice, removing most of the milkweed for which the migrating Monarch Butterfly population relies. Of course, we study the monarch population and field each year and are eager to have the field grow over the summer and through the fall. We know you have noxious weeds/invasive species to contend with on your end.

What can we do to help the field grow over the summer/fall? How can we best communicate about it being mowed after the fall  Monarch Migration comes through?

Is it possible to pursue the field area as a registered Monarch Waystation? If so, we could take the lead on that, pending agreement from whomever we need to ask including Ryan? https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/

Thanks for thinking with the children/teachers at Uni Primary about this special area adjacent to the school. The field is a true source of delight and freedom for our small school, and we appreciate being in communication with you all about its care.

Sincerely,

Ali Lewis & Uni Primary School Community

-- 

Attached is the Tree Campus Advisory Committee Charge letter for 2025.

Things are picking up and to meet demand, we’ll work on getting some more bikes for sale. We did have nice 3 speed Build-a-Bike finished this week. 

Hoped to have a few more bikes done this last week but all of the ones I safety checked failed and then some—damaged wheels/broken components—but such is the plight of repairing old bikes. 

Tonight is the Bike Project Monthly Members Meeting. 

This week is our first Bike Center on the Quad Day. Fingers crossed for good weather and a good turnout!

The numbers:

Visitors: 59
Sales: $328
Bikes (refurb): 1 for $150
Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
Memberships: 2 for $60
Tires/tubes: 5 for $24
 

We were closed last week for Spring Break. Used the quiet time to crank out a few more bikes. We’re hovering around double digits in the for-sale department. With the final batch of bikes out of the barn, I’ll be able to do an earnest inventory and have my staff sort bikes between For Sale/B-a-Bs. A little clarity in that realm will hopefully elp move bikes along a little quicker.

This week we will resume being open Mon – Fri.

The following numbers are from 3/10 - 3/14:

Visitors: 64
Sales: $1,196.15
Bikes (refurb): 3 for $650
Memberships: 10 for $300
Tires/tubes:  10 for $60.75

Safety and Efficiency in Fume Hood Selection

Laboratory fume hoods are critical in protecting laboratory personnel from chemical exposure; however, fume hoods may also be the largest energy consumers in a research university campus. The Grainger College of Engineering Office of Safety invites campus facilities, safety and laboratory personnel to an in-depth presentation on the latest developments in fume hood technologies, and how to leverage them to create the safest and most energy-efficient laboratories. More details and the registration link can be found at: https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/30/871793530.html

March 27, 12–1 pm • 3002 Electrical and Computer Engineering Building

Edward Chainani • Grainger College of Engineering