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Project Updates for collection: Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects
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- Associated Project(s):
Ikenberry Commons Suggestion
Associated Project(s):The projects committee in the US Green Building Council student chapter is working on a "Green Your Dorm" project encouraging dorms to save energy and water. The SSC has approved funding to put individual metering in dorms. The USGBC chapter made the suggestion that Ikenberry Commons resdence halls be the first to receive meter upgrades.
Franklin Ground Squirrels may be on site
Associated Project(s):Keith Shank at IDNR responded to the EcoCAT request, with the following note. "Well, it’s hard to escape those Franklin Ground Squirrels. In 2010, Ameren observed two FGS near the intersection of Curtis Road and Rt. 45, and ten years ago we had a road-killed FGS at Windsor Road and Rt. 45. Ameren opined they could be all up and down the RR corridor, which the western end of your project area happens to lie against.
It may be possible the FGS are in the area around the farm buildings, but they would be unlikely to be out in the experimental plots, at the moment. However, depending on the type of solar energy facility being proposed, they might be able to colonize the solar farm. While that would be good for the FGS, it could complicate subsequent operations and maintenance of the facility. Remember that they love any kind of soil stockpile, so be careful where you stack any dirt and how long you might leave it there."
Twelve Solar Farm proposals received and distributed to Evaluation Committee
Associated Project(s):There are officially 12 proposals submitted, and 11 are responsive per Purchasing’s requirements. The Evaluation Team is: Kent Reifsteck, chair; Mike Marquissee, Keith Erickson, Morgan Johnston, Teresa Temples, Larry Altenbaumer, and Kim Porter.
President Hogan contributes to Revolving Loan Fund
Associated Project(s):President Hogan agreed to contribute $750,000 to the Revolving Loan Fund.
Attached Files:Undergrads and Graduates work on Sustainability Projects
Associated Project(s):Working with James Scholar in Barbara Minsker’s engineering class to make recommendations related to sustainability for the Grainger crosswalk on Springfield.
Staff hosted interviews with about a dozen Rhet 105 students about various sustainability topics.
Urban Planning masters student Marcus Ricci is doing a GIS project about bike parking capacity in relationship to the buildings they serve.
The LINC U of I Bikes section sent out a bike sharing survey and had a great response rate, a summary will be available by the end of the spring semester.
SCC Awards Funding for Solar Projects
Associated Project(s):The SSC awarded funding for Solar at the ECE North Campus Parking Deck project and the Conceptualization phase for Solar at KCPA.
Pre-proposal meeting and site visit for the Solar Farm
Associated Project(s):Held pre-proposal meeting and site visit for the Solar Farm RFP. Also, submitted the EcoCAT review request regarding that space. Responded to over 30 questions from potential proposers for the Solar Farm RFP.
Anaerobic Digester Study progress
Associated Project(s):Feasibility Study for an Anaerobic Digester at the Beef and Sheep facility on South Farms has funding approved and will move forward with A/E selection.
Recycling Assistant to assist and oversee
Associated Project(s):Tim Hoss was approved as a Recycling Assistant academic hourly position to oversee the implementation of the Food Waste Composting Facility and assist with other iCAP waste management projects.
Biogasification power plant talk
Associated Project(s):F&S met with representatives from the Center for Neighborhood Sustainability to continue discussion of potentially building a biogasification power plant off campus for production of biogas as an alternative fuel for power generation for campus.
EcoCAT documentation initiated
Associated Project(s):IDNR staff will review the project because the Franklin's Ground Squirrel may reside there. They state they will require thirty days of review. The Franklin’s Ground Squirrel resides in culverts and areas with low shrubs and prairie grasses and not in cultivated farm areas. Most of the Solar Farm area has been farmed for years.
RFP released and notices sent to community
Associated Project(s):From: Jack Dempsey Subject: Solar Farm letter ready to go In the interest of keeping an open dialogue with our neighbors, I would like to inform you that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is pursuing the development of a 28.5-acre solar farm on the campus’s South Farms. The attached fact sheet describes the details of the project, including specifics of the proposal, expected timeline, and frequently asked questions about solar farms. This information will be sent to the residents on First Street near the proposed site, with the attached letter. I’m also including the full RFP here in case you are interested. This is expected to go live tomorrow. If you have any questions or suggestions as we move forward with this project, please contact Morgan Johnston, our Sustainability Coordinator copied here. Thanks, Jack RFP and subsequent amendments are online at http://www.procure.stateuniv.state.il.us/dsp_notice.cfm?Uni=UIUC&PN=1KSP....
Battery Recycling Program Preparing to Launch
Associated Project(s):Battery Recycling program containers were ordered in late February. The official launch of this program will be mid-spring.
Grants Cleared Up for Food Waste Composting Project
Associated Project(s):Staff answered questions from DCEO about the FSCRAP grant, in cooperation with University Grants and Contracts. Additionally, staff provided detailed responses to inquiries from students about the status of the project.
Red Bison Works on Plans for Prairie Restoration
Associated Project(s):Staff met with representatives from the Red Bison registered student organization about the prairie at the corner of Florida Avenue and Orchard Street. Red Bison has taken on responsibility for that prairie, and is looking into naming options, signage, and enhanced plantings.
Two Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installed
Associated Project(s):Two electric vehicle charging stations were installed for Fleet vehicles at the Garage and Car Pool facility. This was done in conjunction with the purchase of two Chevy Volts for the campus fleet. At this time, the charging stations are not accessible to the public.
Solar Farm Proposal Approved
Associated Project(s):The proposed Solar Farm was taken through the formal Site Selection process for campus, and approved by the Chancellor’s Capital Review Committee (CCRC). Then the Request for Proposal (RFP) was published and over 30 vendors downloaded the RFP. A Fact Sheet and Q&A were sent with introductory letters to the community leaders and Solar Farm site neighbors on First Street.
Krannert initiates solar project for building
Associated Project(s):Krannert Center for Performing Arts worked with F&S Planning to initiate a solar energy project for their building. Funding will be requested from the Student Sustainability Committee this spring, and a DCEO grant will be requested after the initial conceptualization phase is complete.
SSC Weatherization student leader met with the Building Maintenance team
Associated Project(s):The SSC Weatherization student leader met with the Building Maintenance team at F&S to review the student team reports for the small houses they assessed last fall. Building Maintenance will develop cost estimates for the identified needs, so the students can prioritize the available funding ($50,000 from F&S).
