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Project Updates for collection: Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects

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  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. Engagement Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Engagement iCAP Team
    Advance Student Sustainability Outreach Efforts
    Engagement iCAP Team Recommendations Summary

    The meeting covered updates on the Greener Campus (GC) initiative, including efforts to promote office certification and introduce decals for visibility. There was discussion on engaging Greek Life in sustainability efforts, with suggested contacts for outreach. The Sustainapalooza committee, represented by Kathrine Bruce and Liesl Schrag, provided an event overview and discussed promotional efforts such as digital signage, outreach to department heads, and MTD bus advertisements. Laurinda introduced a wildlife-centered gardening project under the Illinois Prairie Garden initiative, presenting engagement opportunities like prairie conservation and plant sales. Additional sustainability events were highlighted, including a short film event during Earth Week. Action items included Brigid coordinating scheduling and outreach, Quinn working on GC decals and office engagement, and all members providing feedback on marketing materials, brainstorming engagement strategies, and filling out a scheduling poll.

    Attached Files: 

  4. Monarchs Need Milkweed Project Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Increase Pollinator-Friendly Areas

    An update on 12/11/2024 from Brent Lewis on the Monarchs need Milkweed project:

    "...all plugs were installed as of November 2024 in a variety of locations on campus.  Additionally 25’bs of milkweed seed was purchased and delivered to grounds to broadcast seed into low mow and prairie areas on campus.  As a set aside, 3 lbs of seeds were delivered to the Pollinatarium staff who will use it to make small planting gift sachets for their visitors.  Thus this project’s influence may continue far beyond the reaches of the campus boundaries."

  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. Campus Lumber Project Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Root to Roof Program

    A meeting was held with several involved individuals to discuss the progress and next steps for the Campus Lumber Project. Team members will submit an SSC Scope Change to cover the additional costs of electrical construction and to ensure efficient transportation of lumber

     

    Next steps from Quinn Connolly:

    As discussed today, here is the plan moving forward:

     

    Quinn will work with Lowell on submitting an SSC Scope Change to cover the increased cost of the electrical setup

    Justin, Ryan, and Issac will discuss the best course of action for storing, identifying, and transporting lumber from the south Lincoln facility to the mill site.

    Justin and Lowell will work on a preferred tree species and dimensions list to include in the protocol document

    Quinn will work with Morgan on setting up an open work order

    Quinn will work on writing a protocol document for the Campus Lumber Project

    This document will include:

    • Procedures
    • Contacts (not just individuals but departments and back up contacts)
    • Tree specification information
    • Other relevant information as we navigate making this happen!

     

    Brent Lewis replied with additional information about peer universities with similar programs:

    All,

     

    In my meeting with the Association of University Landscape Architects, we talked about the different programs people had to use removed trees from campus.  Here are a few links to what people are doing.  Plenty of bowls, boards, pens, etc that they are selling for alumni.  I also see live edge boards for sale and other items that aren’t finished products. 

     

    https://magazine.utah.edu/issues/summer-2021/scott-leech-woodworker/

    https://www.pennstateelmscollection.com/

    https://www.uvasawmilling.com/

    https://www.canr.msu.edu/for/programs/swri

    https://msusurplusstore.com/collections/msu-shadows-collection

     

    Anyhow, just wanted to share for people to see what others are doing.  There are probably some good contacts in here for future reference as well.

  9. 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!

  10. 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

  12. Monarchs Need Milkweed Oct Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Increase Pollinator-Friendly Areas

    Below is an update from Brent Lewis on Oct 17th about the Monarchs need Milkweed recommendation:

     

    FYI, I’m close to getting a $2.5k bag of milkweed seeds delivered to me.  😊  We are getting this in the portal and ordered so Grounds can get this spread out this fall. 

     

    I’m hoping we can still get pots in the ground this fall too.  I see plenty of plants available at Midwest Groundcovers nursery in St. Charles, IL.  Deb is working on that.

     

    Additionally updates from the Land & Water Clerk which were provided at the Campus Sustainability Celebration:

     

    Milkweed Seeds for Monarch Butterflies

    •Received a grant for planting milkweed across campus to support monarch butterfly populations which are important pollinators

    •Seeds and plants will be planted around campus in late fall in low and no mow areas

    •Working to clarify no mow and low mow  zones on campus to support the growth of native plants, also making it easier for the planting of milkweed

     

     

     

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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
     

  20. 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

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