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Project Updates for collection: Living Lab Facilities / Programs

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  1. Weekly Update: Walking Tour

    Associated Project(s): 

    All, Slow week with the bad weather. This week looks better. Friday we’re helping with the Campus Recreation Walking Tour and so will show off our space to some folks that probably wouldn’t visit otherwise—that’ll be fun.

    Also have a couple new staff starting this week.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 14
    Sales: $223.50
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Tires/tubes: 4 for $35

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  2. Weekly Update: Donation, Busier week, Staff training

    Associated Project(s): 

    All, It’s April! Busier week over here with the warm spell. Tues/Thurs continue to be slower days and the 4 – 6p side of our hours remain more popular—anecdotally. I’ll dig into the numbers and see if that bears out.

    We are also trying out new sales tickets for our bikes, with the hopes that it’ll speed up that process as demand at the computer/square station will increase between our checkouts and the Adv. Rec folks.

    We received a large donation on Thursday, which we’ll continue to work through this week. Will also facilitate a staff training for a new hire. Plan to tackle some of the abandoned bikes as well.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 38
    Sales: $727
    Bikes (refurb):  2 for $275
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 2 for $19

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  3. Weekly update: M-F hours, IU sustainability visit

    Associated Project(s): 

    All, First week of being open M – F wasn’t blow-the-doors-off-busy. Tuesday was a dud, but Thursday picked up a little. Think it’ll take a little longer to get the word out on our new hours, and of course it’s always weather-dependent to a degree.

    We had a visit from Indiana University sustainability folks on Friday, which was good.

    This week is business as usual and next week it’ll be April! That undoubtedly will be a busy month.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 26

    Sales: $934.09
    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $540

    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
    Memberships: 6 for $180
    Tires/tubes: 10 for $65

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  4. Dump and Run posters

    Associated Project(s): 

    I have attached files for the digital sign and the posters. I will get our marketing staff to add the digital sign to our boards in the next couple weeks, and I have asked them to add it to a future issue of Housing Insider. We already talked about the hall posters, but the larger foam board signs you can also bring to me and I will get them delivered to the halls. To cover all the halls we will need 20. I have seen them produced with the a build in fold out stand on the back, which would make it really easy to place in the halls as opposed to having to get a easel for each sign. But we can make either work.

     

    Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts on the design.

     

    BRYAN JOHNSON

     

    Hi Bryan,

     

    Thank you for sending these over! I wanted to follow up with a couple of items:

    • I just got notice from University YMCA that we should include the ampersand as opposed to “and,” as well as the used of ® after the name, because YMCA received approval for trademarking. Would it be possible to revise what was created with this new info?
    • Are there standard dimensions for the foam board signs? This isn’t something F&S created last year, so just want to make sure I understand the product we are talking about. Is this something that Housing communications would be able to assist with?

     

    Thank you,


    Daphne

     

    The marketing person who typically orders the poster board signs is out of the office today, but she is expected back tomorrow. She is supposed to get me an answer on how we can get them produced when she returns. Until then, here are updated creatives with the suggestions you provided. Let me know if these look good.

     

    BRYAN JOHNSON

  5. Eastern Illinois Foodbank Update

    Associated Project(s): 

    Hi Jenna,

     

    We met with Eastern Illinois Foodbank this morning, and they are excited about the prospect of working with us. F&S and Dining plan to take on the labor to bring the food donations to the foodbank. At the foodbank, the incoming product can be weighed so we can track that data. We are thinking of having boxes inside of the shipping containers (there will probably be 6-9 shipping containers this year, locations are pending) dedicated to food collection. They take the typical stuff, non-perishable, non-opened, but they do not have any issues with us brining expired food. Their team will go through and make the final call on what is distributed to the pantries. Most students probably won’t have super old food anyway, we suspect. UIUC will fill out a food drive form for the foodbank, and we will work on how to advertise this food drive effort at the residence halls – if you have any suggestions on that part, that would be awesome.

     

    Thank you,

    Daphne

  6. Weekly Update: Spring break, M-F open

    Associated Project(s): 

    All, We were closed for Spring Break, and I guess mother nature decided that was when it would actually be spring, and now it’s back to winter. This week we reopen to M – F 2 - 6p. Considering the cooler temps, likely won’t be super busy on those days.

    We were thwarted by the weather right before break and unable to clear bikes from the barn but will try again this week.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 29
    Sales: $302.50
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $40

    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 13 for $75

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  7. iSEE New Green Event Certifications - February 2024

    The Greener Campus Program would like to recognize the most recent events certified under the Green Event Certification Program.

     

    These events include:

    - Office of the Provost's Student Success Symposium; hosted February 8th, 2024 

    - Office of the Provost's Celebration of Academic Excellence; hosted February 20th, 2024 

    - Sustainable Aviation Fuel Workshop; hosted February 23rd, 2024

     

    Congratulations and keep up the great work! 

  8. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 

    All, Business as usual last week. We cleared some space up in the back to accommodate more for sale bikes, as we were out of room in the lobby.

    After this week, we will be closed all of Spring Break and afterwards reopen M – F.

    Will continue to grab bikes from the barn this week. Another unseasonably warm week ahead!

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 38
    Sales: $467
    Bikes: 1 for $180
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 2 for $30

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  9. Weekly Update: Busy, M-F hours after Spring break

    Associated Project(s): 

    All, Business as usual last week. We were especially busy on Friday with a wait for stand time. Today will probably be hopping, too. Warm weather and all. Should cool down by end of week and allow us to finish some for-sale bikes, as spring seems to be coming sooner this year. Only a couple more weeks before we’re open M – F. Be good to get the Tue/Thurs crew some public facing time, as they’ve been squirreled away working on our off-days.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 38
    Sales: $764.50
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $350

    Memberships: 5 for $150
    Tires/tubes: 11 for $85

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  10. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 

    All, Most surprisingly, we sold a bike on Friday during the snowy times. Odd timing but if you need a bike, you need a bike! Can’t argue there. Got a new hire in pipeline, gearing up for some warmer weather this week. Probably means some busyness around here.

    Been working with my staff on lacing up wheels. Can’t speak highly enough of the instructional book and the staff have taken to it admirably.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 21
    Sales: $493.50

    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $160

    Memberships: 5 for $150

    Tires/tubes: 9 for $95

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  11. 02-12-24 Dump & Run Meeting 2

    Associated Project(s): 

    Attendance: Pete Varney, Dan Hiser, Miriam, Bryan Johnson, Thurman Etchison, Daphne Hulse

     

    Agenda

    1. Determine exact remaining budget for this year (Daphne)

      1. $5,951.38 in SSC fund

      2. $6,992.19 spent for the 2023 program

    2. Identify locations for Orchard Downs & Ashton Woods (Mark, Bryan)

    3. Reassess all previous locations & confirm (Mark, Bryan)

      1. Box truck sizes on Euclid - donation partners

      2. Babcock Hall - inquire with driver on the northernmost suggestion

      3. Sherman Hall - inquire with driver

    4. Inquire with Housing communications team about opportunity for advertisement + communications for Orchard Downs, Ashton Woods (Mark, Bryan)

    5. Loop in Jenna (Project4Less) into food pantry donation conversations (Thurman, Daphne)

      1. Connected with the Eastern Illinois Food Bank - setting up meeting to discuss logistics

    6. iSEE - what materials will be collected? (Miriam)

      1. Out of office - reconnect later

    7. Assign locations to non-profit partners, once locations are determined (Daphne)

     

    Action Items

    1. Connect with driver for shipping containers, ensure access to locations (Daphne)

      1. Confirm all locations with Stacey DeLorenzo (Daphne)

    2. Connect with non-profit groups, confirm participation (Daphne)

    3. Confirm graduate halls move out timing (Mark, Bryan)

    4. Marketing materials from Housing - posters, digital sign (Mark, Bryan)

    5. Confirm iSEE’s plan for integration (Miriam, Daphne)

  12. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 

    All, Run of the mill week here. Thanks to Todd for grabbing scrap over the weekend. This week I’ll grab some more bikes from the barn to fix up and/or scrap. Had a few sneaky ones that look good at first glance and are junk in the end. We’re getting a good stockpile of overhauled wheels ready for when folks’ bikes need new-to-them wheels.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 35
    Sales: $388.50
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $200
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Tires/tubes: 2 for$8

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  13. Weekly update

    Associated Project(s): 

    All, Sneakily busy last week. Warmer weather this week will likely keep visitors darkening the doors. Still plugging away at the abandoned bikes. Had an interview last week for another student worker to bolster our team in advance of the really warm weather.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 43
    Sales: $615.50

    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $260
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Tires/tubes: 2 for $5

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  14. 01-29-24 Dump & Run Meeting 1

    Associated Project(s): 

    Attendance: Pete Varney, Dan Hiser, Miriam Keep, Bryan Johnson, Mark Kuehl, Thurman Etchison, Daphne Hulse

     

    1. Overview of the budget last year

      1. $6,992.19 spent for the 2023 program

      2. Daphne is determining the number of remaining funds from our SSC award (this will likely be the last year we have funds remaining in our SSC account)

    2. Overview of results last year

      1. Goodwill: 16K lbs (hard household goods)

      2. Salt & Light: 3.5K lbs (soft clothing and bedding)

    3. Overview of this year

      1. Undergraduate residence halls

      2. Explore expansion to graduate residence halls

        1. Orchard Downs

          1. 2 laundry room locations

        2. Ashton Woods

      3. Explore food collection - work with local pantry

      4. iSEE collaboration

        1. Interested in collecting recyclable materials (both that F&S typically collects, as well as special collections)

      5. 3 non-profits interested

        1. Goodwill Land of Lincoln - interested in returning for this year again

        2. Salt & Light - interested in returning for this year again

        3. Habitat for Humanity ReStore - interested in joining this year, wants furniture specifically

    4. Assess last years’ donation site locations (bolded locations were successful, asterisked locations should be reassessed)

      1. Hopkins

      2. Student Dining and Residential Programs

      3. Illinois Street

      4. Lincoln Avenue

      5. Wassaja*

      6. Weston*

      7. Busey-Evans*

      8. FAR/PAR*

    5. Pete & Dan: containers could be opened at 8am and closed at 8pm

    6. Housing suggests that we should look into bolder advertisements in residence halls

     

    Action Items:

    1. Determine exact remaining budget for this year (Daphne)

    2. Identify locations for Orchard Downs & Ashton Woods (Mark, Bryan)

    3. Inquire with Housing communications team about opportunity for advertisement (Mark, Bryan)

      1. + communications for Orchard Downs, Ashton Woods

    4. Reassess FAR-PAR location (Mark, Bryan)

    5. Reassess Busey-Evans location (Mark, Bryan)

    6. Loop in Jenna (Project4Less) into food pantry donation conversations (Thurman, Daphne)

    7. iSEE - what materials will be collected? (Miriam)

    8. Assign locations to non-profit partners, once locations are determined (Daphne)

  15. ECE Net Zero Celebration

    https://ece.illinois.edu/about/calendar/eceb-anniversary 

    The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Building at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was certified as the university’s first zero-energy facility in January 2023. Join the ECE Department and The Grainger College of Engineering to celebrate this milestone on the path to building a more sustainable future. 


    When: Wednesday January 24, 2024 from 4 p.m.
    Where: Electrical & Computer Engineering Building Atrium, 306 N. Wright St, Urbana, IL 61801

     

  16. Weekly Update: Kid's Bike Giveaway, Busy in cold weather!

    Associated Project(s): 

    Happy New Year! Since my last email, we hosted our annual Kid’s Bike Giveaway. It was terrible weather with a steady cold rain, but we still gave away 70+ bikes in about 20 minutes. There was supposed news coverage with WCIA but I wasn’t able to track down the actual footage. Not an hour after we’d given away all the bikes, someone showed up with a couple kids bike donations. Already started on next year!

    The semester started last week, and we were surprisingly busy—even on Friday when it was a snowy mess out there, which meant it was a melting snowy mess in our workshop, too. A good problem to have.

    We’ll see how we fare this week with the freezing rain.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 21
    Sales: $283
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $170
    Memberships: 1 for $30
    Tube/tire: 1 for $4

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

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