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. Weekly Update - Bicycle Donations, Bike to Work Day, etc.

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center
    C-U Bike to Work Day

    All, Big but also kind of micro news is that there’s been a noticeable uptick in donations here at the Bike Center. While I’d love to attribute that to our awesome Bike Abandonment Prevention program, it’s really just been local community members who’re cleaning out their garages--most prominently two white bearded men, not the graduating seniors that we’re hoping to attract.

    But that’s a good segue into what our Bike Abandonment Prevention is trying to do: reduce and abate the number of abandoned bikes left by students leaving campus around this time of year. In turn we hope Parking will have to collect fewer bikes that’ll end up in our hands in the end anyway. We’ve got signage and a bike rack set up outside the Bike Center to allow students to donate their bikes and, to incentivize the donation,  in return they can get a water bottle (but the water bottles are only available during open hours). We’ll track how many students are donating and obviously won’t be turning away community donations. There’s already been a social media push and advertising done by Campus Rec to help promote and get the word out!
    We’ve got our Fix-a-Flat class this Friday and of course Bike To Work Day on Wednesday. The weather isn’t looking great but we’ll get the dedicated folks come through, I’m sure. Jeff Yockey dropped off the BTWD shirt last week and we’ve been hanging it by the register to showcase the event. Over the upcoming weekend we’ve got our Bike Rodeo event which will also double as a drop-off spot for the Bike Abandonment Prevention program. May is looking busy but it is Bike Month!

    Numbers:

    Visitors: 73
    Sales: $812.50
    Memberships: 6 for $180
    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $500

     

    Thanks!

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  2. Approval for Support from campus to YMCA for Dump and Run

    Associated Project(s): 
    Dump and Run

    The following email contains a confirmation of approval from Lowa Mwilambwe for campus to provide support to the Dump and Run Program coordinated by the YMCA.

     

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    From: Mwilambwe, Lowa

    Sent: Friday, April 26, 2019 4:00 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Cc: Hill, Darla J; Kushner, Allison; Harlan, Tina Diane; Brown Young, Danita M; Sealine, Alma R

    Subject: Re: Dump & Run funding confirmation

     

    This is to confirm that it is acceptable for campus to provide support to the Dump and Run Program coordinated by the YMCA. This program allows residence halls to dispose of items students don’t want to take home with them at the end of the spring semester by having YMCA volunteers collect them. Incoming students get the opportunity to purchase these items in August as they return to school. If this program didn’t exist, these items would end up in a landfill. Furthermore University Housing would be responsible for their disposal.

     

    Regarding truck usage, University staff should be the only individuals to drive University vehicles or ride in them. YMCA volunteers can load and unload the vehicles.

     

    Please note that I have explained to the YMCA staff that this is a one‐time deal and that we won’t be able to offer the same type of support next year. They are working on providing me with more information about how they use the funding generated from this program.

     

    I have copied all University staff I have I have talked to regarding this matter and they can offer their perspective, if I omitted anything.

     

    Thanks to all of you for making this happen, this one time. Please let me know if you have any questions.


    Lowa Mwilambwe

     

    Associate Vice Chancellor for Auxiliary, Health & Wellbeing

    Student Affairs

    University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     

    From: "White, Morgan"

    Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 12:45 PM

    To: Lowa Mwilambwe Subject: Dump & Run funding confirmation

     

    Hi Lowa,

     

    Please confirm (in writing) that it is acceptable for campus to provide support for the YMCA Dump & Run collections from our residence halls.

    If so, F&S will contribute a truck and driver this spring, but the long‐term solution needs to identify the appropriate funding source.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

    F&S Associate Director for Sustainability

    University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign

  3. Dump and Run 2019 Logistics Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Dump and Run

    The following email chain contains a discussion about a meeting to discuss logistics for Dump & Run 2019.

     

    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    From: Marc Alexander

    Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2019 5:04 PM

    To: Johnson, Bryan Lloyd

    Cc: White, Morgan; Arnold, David A

    Subject: Re: Dump and Run 2019

     

    Hi all, here's the beginnings of a logistical sheet for Residence Hall pickups. Dorm Pickups Sheet 2019

    It's ordered in rough zones, with dorms closest to each other clumped together. We can discuss more regarding times and what each day might look like in terms of pickups tomorrow. All of you should be able to edit the sheet, so please feel free to make changes if need be.

     

    In addition, here is a basic FAQ for donation sites with some info that might be helpful to you, but that can also be shared with the Resident Directors as well. We can make changes to this as well.

     

    Thanks everyone, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow!

     

    -Marc

     

    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 3:37 PM Marc Alexander wrote:

    Excellent, thanks Bryan! I'll see you then. My cell is [omitted], don't hesitate to text or call in the next few weeks if any of you need anything promptly.

     

    -Marc

     

    On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 3:27 PM Johnson, Bryan Lloyd wrote:

    I was just on the phone with David about the meeting on Friday. I went ahead and reserved a room in Clark Hall for the meeting (room 222). We will plan on meeting in Clark Hall at 10:30, but David and I will touch base at the conclusion of my 9am meeting or your walkthrough which ever finishes first. If we can meet sooner, or during your rounds we will.

     

    My cell phone is [omitted]

     

    Bryan Johnson

    Project Manager, PMP

    UNIVERSITY HOUSING | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

    -------------------------------------------------------------------- 

    From: Marc Alexander 

    Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 3:17 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Cc: Johnson, Bryan Lloyd

    Subject: Re: Dump and Run 2019

     

    Bryan if you can do 10:30 great, but if not I'll make 10am work.

     

    I'll get back to you both with logistical plans. Thanks!

     

    -Marc

     

     

    -------------------------------------------------------------------- 

    On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 3:09 PM  White, Morgan wrote:

    Hi Marc,  Can we do a phone call with Bryan and the two of you at 10 Friday?  You may not be through all the locations yet, but that’s when both Bryan and I can do a call.

     

    Also, would you please send both of us any logistics plans you already have written up (even from previous years), so we can get a feeling for the driving needs?

     

    Thanks!

    Morgan

    ===============================

    Ms. Morgan White

    F&S Associate Director for Sustainability

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    From: Marc Alexander 

    Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 3:06 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Cc: Johnson, Bryan Lloyd

    Subject: Re: Dump and Run 2019

     

    Hi Bryan, 

     

    Dave Arnold, who is an Area Coordinator for Residential Life, has been our contact for the residence halls. He and I are meeting at 9am Friday to walk the locations and determine container placement.

     

    -Marc

     

      --------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 2:54 PM  White, Morgan wrote:

    Hi Bryan, Here is Marc’s email.  Let’s try to meet at 1am on Friday.

     

    Marc, please tell Bryan your contact person for setting the containers.

     

    ===============================

    Ms. Morgan White

    F&S Associate Director for Sustainability

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    From: Johnson, Bryan Lloyd

    Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 2:47 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Subject: Dump and Run 2019

     

    I was asked by Alma Sealine to give you call concerning the Dump and Run event this year. When you get a moment, please give me a call to discuss Housing’s involvement.

     

    Thanks,

    Bryan Johnson

    Project Manager, PMP

    UNIVERSITY HOUSING | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  4. SSC funds Recycling Pods

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Recycling Bins at the Illini Union
    Indoor Bin Update

    The Illini Union has purchased 6 outdoor recycling units and 7 indoor units to address the growing need for recycling centers in and around the Union. This project will add an additional 10 recycling bins to the current initiative. In doing so, recycling efforts will increase around the Union, iCAP objectives will be implemented, recycling will be promoted across campus, strides towards waste reduction will be made – among just some of the positive impacts.

    Attached Files: 

  5. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center

    All, The week previous wasn’t as busy as I anticipated. I keep thinking I’ve got a handle on when the shop will be busy and I keep being surprised by the reality: quiet and calm when it’s nice/sunny and then hustle/bustle when it’s cold and windy. Go figure.

    Working backwards:

    Saturday was the LCI training for the Bike Rodeo. I’m now certified to teach kid’s bike education courses with the League of American Bicyclists. Going forward I’ll probably sign up for the next level of certifications because it can only help the reach and scope of the Bike Center. Friday was a zero for Fix-a-Flat attendees, unfortunately. Thursday evening was a Bike Maintenance 101 class in the Winter Garden at the ARC. We had three engaged participants and a half dozen or so passersby that grabbed fliers and the sort.

    This week we’ve got another Bike Maintenance 101 info session/class at the ARC on Thursday evening. It’d go smoother with a second person so I’ll recruit a staffer for it this week. Friday is our Fix-a-Flat class and our Friday Ride. Projecting to be 70° roughly so hopefully a good turnout for both!
    Numbers:

    Visitors: 74
    Sales: $478.50
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $150
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tire/tube: 8 for $48

     

    Sincerely,

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  6. Weekly Update - Bike Maintenance info session, Full Moon ride, Fix-a-Flat and more

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center

    All, Apologies for the delay. I was out of town Monday and Tuesday.

    Last week was busy. Hovered around 20 people in per day. Warm weather always helps. We had our third Fix-a-Flat class and again no attendees, unfortunately. The students hosted their Friday Ride and one person showed up (former employee). I tabled at the Health Fair last Tuesday and got to chat with the UIPD officer stationed next to me. He referred me to the METCAD phone # in the event of cyclists witnessing or experiencing unsafe car/truck drivers on campus.

    This week was obviously truncated with me being out of town. The student staff operated the shop in my absence. I’ll check in with them this week and see how that went. Tomorrow evening is the Bike Maintenance info session/class in the winter garden from 7 – 8pm. Friday is the first Full Moon Ride, a community bicycling event here in town, so I’ll talk that up. It is easily our most popular cycling-related event in the warmer months here in town.
    Numbers:

    Visitors: 96
    Sales: $717.50
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Bike (refurb): 2 for $350
    Tire/tube: 11 for $55

    Thanks!

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  8. Eco-Olympics 2019 - New participation record

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco-Olympics

    Eco-Olympics student-led energy-conservation competition designed to engage, educate and motivate energy saving habits amongst Housing residents is in its final week with the top 3 teams pushing to be 1st! We have surpassed last year’s individual participation total of 142 registered and are currently at 278 ( a new participation record).

  9. Arbor Day Celebration

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tree Campus Higher Education

    Arbor Day Celebration: If you've never met a state champion tree, now is your chance! The largest Yellowwood Tree (Cladrastis kentukea) in Illinois is on our campus, and it will be officially recognized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Friday, April 26, 2019, at noon. Please join Senior Associate Chancellor Mike DeLorenzo for the reading of the Arbor Day Proclamation, and the tree recognition ceremony in the green space to the north of Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall.

  10. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center

    All, Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming Good Morning Illini to the Bike Center. I shot a segment with one of their people on patching a tube. Unfortunately, it didn’t make the air. It was still good outreach and nice to bring a few new people into the shop.

    We’ve yet to have any attendees for our fix-a-flat class, unfortunately. The students running it have done a great job of prepping for it, though. A silver lining of sorts.
    This week there is the Health Fair I’ll be tabling at tomorrow all morning, I’ll be coordinating with Parking to get some more bikes from the warehouse, and on Friday is the fix-a-flat class and the Friday Ride.

    Next Monday I’ll be in Minnesota for a training, so the weekly digest will be a bit late.
    Numbers:

    Visitors: 77
    Sales: $283.50
    Bike (refurb): 1 for $150
    Memberships: 2 for $60

     

    Thanks!

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  12. Eco-Olympics New Record participation!!!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco-Olympics

    Hi All,

    Whoot whoot!

    A day short of the half-way point for the competition and we blew right past the previous yearly total records for participation of 142 & 182, These kids are making it happen!

    We were negotiating with private certified and Greek housing, but ran out of time. Next year we should be able to add them and clear over 1000 students participating.

           
     

    Allen

    13

    		  
     

    Barton/Lundgren

    3

    		  
     

    Bousfield

    6

    		  
     

    Busey-Evans

    4

    		  
     

    FAR

    18

    		  
     

    Hopkins

    50

    		  
     

    LAR

    19

    		  
     

    Nugent

    3

    		  
     

    PAR

    8

    		  
     

    Scott

    4

    		  
     

    Sherman

    2

    		  
     

    Snyder

    9

    		  
     

    TVD

    13

    		  
     

    ISR

    4

    		  
     

    Wassaja

    19

    		  
     

    Weston

    14

    		  
     

    Bromley

    4

    		  
     

    Newman

    2

    		  
     

    Presby

    3

    		  
     

    Theta Chi Frat

    1

    		  
     

    Daniel

    1

    		  
     

    Illini Tower

    1

    		  
     

    Phi Kappa Tau

    4

    		  
     

    Other

    19

    		  
     

    Total

    224

    		  
           

     

    Thank you

    Paul Foote

    Think Globally- Act Locally

  13. Bee Committee meetings

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bee Campus USA

    From: White, Morgan
    Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 7:47 PM
    To: bee-campus@lists.illinois.edu
    Subject: [bee-campus] Bee Committee meetings

     

    Hello Bee Committee,

    The student chairperson, Sara Mason, met with me, Brent Lewis, and Vince Spagnola today. We talked about the signage plans, committee meetings, funding options, potential events, and tracking progress (such as meeting notes) on the iCAP Portal.

    We also set up this email list, so Sara can let the faculty and staff members know when a committee meeting is planned. Next time she calls a meeting, she will send it to this list. 

     

    Thanks!

    Morgan 

  14. Net Metering on campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECE Rooftop Solar PVs
    Rooftop Solar Potential

    For all of our buildings with renewable energy systems, we employ a net metering method.  We deduct the energy supplied by the system from the building load on the campus grid.  So, if ECE uses about 250,000 kwh of electricity per month, and the rooftop array will supply 10,000 kwh per month, then the net bill for the ECE building will be 240,000 kwh at the campus electricity rate.  Therefore, the building gets full credit for the energy supplied by the array.

  15. Social Media Coordination between Red Oak Rain Garden and Tree Walk

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Tree Inventory
    Tree Campus Higher Education

    Hort Club is going to host an event on the April 25th (Thursday of Earth Week) for campus community members to try out the walk. Basically, we are just setting up a table on the quad and inviting everyone to come out, get the brochure/explore TreeKeeper, and do the self-guided tour. If you would like to share this event with your colleagues, that would be wonderful! I think it would be great if we had as many students, faculty, and CU community members as possible invited. I've attached a digital flyer to this email, and the link to the Facebook event: Illinois Earth Week Quad Tree Walk.

     

    -- Maddie Smith

    Attached Files: 

  16. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Bike at Illinois Website and Campaign
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center

    All, The doors were opened! I repeat: The doors were opened! It was finally warm enough. Turns out our coat rack is slightly too tall for the garage to be opened. We figured that out the hard way. Still very nice to get some fresh air in here.

    Last week we had our first Fix-a-Flat class. Unfortunately, no one showed up. It was pretty bad weather and a new program offering so for next week I’ll put up some signs and talk it up to people who come in to the Center.

    Our student staff also hosted their first Friday Ride. It was still raining at that point but most of the staff partook. As they left I think I saw one or two riders who weren’t staff—that’s a good sign! We’ll see how it goes from here. Warmer, nicer weather and a couple weeks more of promotion should only help!

    This week is our collaborative Bike@Illinois meeting to discuss strategic planning for implementation of broader bicycle-friendly efforts on campus! More on that next week.

     

    Numbers:

    Visitors: 85
    Sales: $591.50
    Bike (refurb): 1 for $120
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Tire/tubes: 8 for $33

     

    Thanks!

    Jake Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Manager

  18. Geothermal monitoring borehole on the Bardeen Quad

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal Monitoring Well on Bardeen Quad

    Hi everyone,

    I wanted to report that yesterday we completed the thermal response test in the borehole, and our work at the site is done. Currently, we are working on processing and analyzing the data. This work should be completed later this week, and when done we will share the results with Sachin and the rest of the project team.

    Tim Stark will also use these results to compare with the wellbore model his student is developing.

     

    Best,

    Andy

    _________________________________________________________________

    Andrew Stumpf, Ph.D, LG, P.Geo

    Associate Geologist

    Illinois State Geological Survey

    Prairie Research Institute

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    615 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, Illinois USA 61820

  19. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center

    All, Last week we were closed for Spring Break. I worked Monday and Tuesday and made some good solitary progress on shop builds. All of the Reid MTN Sport bikes that Corey finagled for us are in saleable condition and all of the For Sale bikes are nicely displayed, ready to be purchased.

    Todd picked up scrap over the break, which is appreciated as always.

    This week we have two new offerings starting on Friday: Fix-a-Flat class and our bi-monthly Friday Rides. I’ll meet with the students running each event to make sure everything is in place for their respective endeavors.

    The prospect for trained student staffers around for the summer to help out isn’t looking great. I’ll get a final count on availability this week and proceed accordingly.

    No numbers since we were closed all week.

     

    Thanks!

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  20. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Tail end of last week really picked up, coinciding with the weather, I guess. The first couple weeks of helping people with their bikes is always a welcome change from just wrenching on bikes for sale. Feels more on mission or something.  

    I reorganized to display the For Sale bikes better, which will make test rides and purchasing of the bikes easier for patrons—at least that’s the hope.

    This week we are closed and I am working today and tomorrow then taking Wed – Fri off. I hope to make some headway in safety checking and finalizing another 10 bikes while we are closed. That should put the number of For Sale bikes in the 40+ range.

    Numbers:

    Visitors: 57

    Sales: $164.80

    Memberships: 5 for $150
    Tire/tubes: 4 for $35

     

    Thanks!

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

Pages