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Project Updates for collection: Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects

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  1. 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

  2. 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.

  4. 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!

  5. 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

  7. 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

     

     

     

  8. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  13. iCAP Energy Meeting October 2024

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    LED Campus
    Energy Dashboard Project
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Solar Power on Campus

    The Energy Team had their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8th, from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. We discussed solar rooftop project progress, reviewed funding opportunities for sustainability projects, and explored improvements to campus energy dashboards. Other topics included state-mandated LED transitions and occupant comfort strategies in campus buildings. The meeting minutes are attached!

    Our next meeting is November 12th, 3:30 - 4:30 PM.

    Attached Files: 

  14. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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
     

  18. 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

  19. Weekly Update: Build-a-Bike

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Busy as can be last week. We’re sold out of refurbished bikes and have only a handful of Build-a-Bikes available. We have 3 new hires in the pipeline, which’ll help. Meanwhile, this week is absolutely perfect riding weather—hope folks are getting out there!

    Our newer B-a-B model of handling some of the harder repairs has really helped accessibility to the program. With 3 this week alone, that’s more than we sometimes get completed in 6 months. Lowering barriers of entry is always a good thing!

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 187
    Sales: $2,027
    Memberships:  27(!) for $810
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $345
    Bikes (B-a-B): 3 for $153
    Tires/tubes: 34 for $256

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  20. YMCA Dump & Run Numbers

    Associated Project(s): 
    Dump and Run

    During the Aug. 5 - Aug. 17 collections we had roughly 280 donation drop offs (increased over last year by about 30)

    • We conducted 39 furniture pickups on the two Saturdays
    • 118 volunteers worked 980 hours over the three weeks between collecting, sorting, pricing, the Big Sale and cleanup (7 more volunteers and 170 more hours than last year)
    • 12 staff members, including myself, contributed 267 hours at the Stock Pavilion
    • Roughly 3,700 people attended the Big Sale over the weekend, including at least 1,000 students (probably much more), compared to an estimated 2,500 total last year
    • The Big Sale grossed a little over $29,000, well past our budget goals, and an increase over last year (just under 23k)
    • What little that was left, which wasn't much, was mostly either recycled or donated to Salt & Light for additional reuse.

    Overall it was an excellent and incredibly smooth year!

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