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Project Updates for collection: Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects
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archived info - previous project description
Associated Project(s):When built, the University of Illinois Campus Instructional Facility (CIF) will be a four-story building dedicated to academic and classroom use. CIF will serve 31,000 students daily and will leverage sustainable design to decrease its carbon emissions. The ground source heat exchange system will consist of approximately 60 wells arrayed under the John Bardeen Quad. It will be designed to be expandable, with the ability to be connected to other buildings, allowing for multiple phases. This SSC grant covers approximately 13% of the cost of the geothermal system, and this building project is the first public-private partnership on campus. As the campus works towards being carbon neutral by 2050, this project will not only reduce UIUC’s reliance on fossil fuels, but pave the way for new construction projects to use geothermal systems on campus.
technical note
Associated Project(s):The CIF Geothermal loop has a mixture of 30% glycol to 70% water.
Wildflower Display at Lincoln Ave Residence
Associated Project(s):The following is a message from John Marlin. In this message, Marlin includes information about the wildflower display at Lincoln Avenue Residence (LAR), as well as photographs of the location:
Hello,
At the moment and for the next several weeks woodland wildflowers will be blooming at LAR, specifically to the north of the front steps, continuing past the edge of the building, and alongside the north east side of the building. There are about 20 woodland species in the mix. This is a fairly good example of the type of plants that could be placed in small beds around campus to help pollinators and provide visual relief. The spring plants are especially nice to have around as students face the stress of finals and leaving their friends for the summer. I believe you would find a visit worthwhile. I would be glad to join at any convenient time.
The project was initiated in 2016 by the LAR Living Learning Community. In addition to the woodland plantings there are prairie and related plantings starting at the south side of the steps and continuing around the south side of the building to the loading dock. An additional planting is in the courtyard by the dining room. Various prairie species will bloom in sequence beginning now and through the fall. These plantings compliment the nearby Red Oak Rain Garden.
Over 50 students and community members planted the area. A part-time intern helped maintain it for the first year and a half. A $5,000 grant paid for the most of the plants and intern. There has been very limited maintenance due to the virus and lack of funds for the intern. The main problems are some weeds and aggressive spread of some of the native plants. Insects and birds use the plantings and several classes have visited.
There is a growing consensus in favor of locating pollinator pockets and other native planting around campus. Once in the ground they require minimal maintenance. A few seasonal student interns with some supervision could manage quite a few. I hope there can be some action along these lines over the next few years.
John C. Marlin, PhD
Research Affiliate, ISTC, PRI
217-649-4591
Photo 1: Volunteers planting at LAR in September 2016
Photo 2: Up-close photo of LAR flowers in April 2021
Photo 3: Up-close photo of LAR plants, including flowers, in April 2021
Photo 4: Photo of LAR plants and flowers underneath a tree in April 2021
Photo 5: Photo of LAR plants and flowers in April 2021
Recycling from covid-19 test sites at UIUC
Associated Project(s):The funnels, straws, and the test tubes all get incinerated, as hazardous waste. The gloves and styrofoam get recycled by Facilities & Services.
Weekly Update: Moved bikes, Quad Fix-it Day, Bike Census
Associated Project(s):All, Not much news from last week. We still aren’t busy-busy. I picked up bikes from the warehouse to scrap. I moved six kids bikes to Urbana on the big bike trailer and got lots of surprised looks, quizzical glances, and a couple thumbs up. Considering the amount of attention that trailer gets, we should look into getting some signage for it.
There’s been some nascent interest in volunteering from a few visitors. That’s been welcome. We also rearranged the workspace, moving the second repair stand next to the first one by the tool wall. They’re still safely separated but not totally annexed to the other side of the shop.
This week is our Friday Ride—last week was a no-show again—and our Quad Fix It Day on Thursday. I’ll be helping with the Bike Census on Wednesday as well.The numbers:
Visitors: 15
Sales: $627.24
Memberships: 3 for $90
Bikes (refurb): 1 for $140Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Manager, Campus Bike CenterBike Census volunteer opportunity (4/28) and TED Talk discussion (4/29)
Associated Project(s):Happy Friday! I hope you are having a great Earth Week/Earth Month and have been able to attend a few (of the many!) activities this April. The Bike Census Spring 2021 is next Wednesday, April 28, from 10 – 11 AM. Bike Census is a collaborative, community-wide effort between Facilities & Services (F&S) and Champaign County Bikes that began in 2013 as part of ongoing improvement efforts to support the campus’ Bicycle Friendly University status.
If you are available to volunteer next Wednesday morning, please sign up here. There will be a virtual training session beforehand at 9 AM. Two Illinois coffee mugs will be raffled off for student volunteers. I hope you are able to participate and in the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Sarthak Prasad (sprasad9@illinois.edu).
On another note, in celebration of Earth Month, the next iSEE TED Talk: Eco-Edition event will focus on environmental activism and individual versus corporate responsibility for climate change. On Thursday, April 29 at 7 PM, participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk presented in July 2020 by Xiye Bastida: "If you adults won't save the world, we will." Afterward, all are invited to participate in a guided discussion hosted by iSEE Communications Intern and ESES student, Maria Maring. Sign up here.
As always, be sure to check out the iSEE Sustainability Calendar for upcoming events and programs and help spread the word. Have a great weekend!
Thanks for a great Earth Week 2021!
Associated Project(s):Thank you for a great Earth Week, Illini! Here a few highlights:
- SSC hosted an Environmental Quad Day
- Climate Strike on the Quad
- Virtual open house for campus solar
- Illini Union Pretzels + Plants and recycling center launch
SSC Funding Award: Bike Registraiton Signs
Associated Project(s):The SSC awarded $1,200 for the "Bike Registration Signs". This award will expire on May 14, 2022.
New array production report
Associated Project(s):The attached file shows the production of the new rooftop solar panels on BIF from June 2019 to March 2021. It also includes the approximate reduction in carbon emissions and the equivalent number of "trees saved."
Attached Files:Bee Campus USA Sign Location
Associated Project(s):The attached file shows the planned location for the large Bee Campus sign to be installed at the Florida and Orchard Prairie.
Attached Files:Energy iCAP Team Meeting from 04-14-21
Associated Project(s):The Energy iCAP Team met on April 14th, 2021 with Brian Bundren, a member of the Illinois Space Advisory Committee, about to learn more about how campus space can be managed more efficiently as a way to reduce energy consumption. The University moving from hybrid learning to more in-person instruction and the new IVCB budget model that assigns bills individual colleges for their energy use will have significant impacts on space usage. The team also discussed our recommendation for Green Labs, or ways to integrate sustainability in research labs and reduce their energy consumption. We will also be moving forward with recommending an Energy Planning document to outline steps towards carbon neutrality by 2050.
Meeting minutes and agenda are attached!
Attached Files:Weekly Update: Friday Ride
Associated Project(s):All, Not a whole lot to report from last week. We had our first attendee for a Friday Ride. He was unfamiliar with basic rules of the road so we took him on a very short loop to get him acclimated. At a stop light he asked, “So you can ride in the road?” Something to consider in future route planning/participation. We missed a call/voicemail from someone else asking about the Friday Ride so we’ll have to keep an eye on the phones going forward, as well.
The forecasted snow on Tuesday probably won’t help business this week. I have the Campus Transportation Advisory Committee to attend on Tuesday but the rest of the week is business as usual. I’ll grab some more salvageable parts from the bike barn for staff-tasks for the week.
The numbers:
Visits: 25Sales: $339
Memberships: 5 for $150
Tubes/tires: 10 for $50
Thanks!Jacob Benjamin
Manager, Campus Bike CenterNew Solar Panels at BIF
Associated Project(s):The new 12.5 kW array will be the second rooftop installation at the facility. The current array, on top of Deloitte Auditorium, produces about 41,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, – or about 3.4% of the electricity needed to power BIF for an entire year. The new array will be smaller but will supply enough power to offset the anticipated energy usage of the fourth floor addition by contributing 15,500 kWh per year.
https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/news/2019/04/22/solar-panels-added-to-...
Archived info - previous project description
Associated Project(s):The new ECE building is designed to include Solar Panels on its roof. The panels will provide about 11% of the building's energy needs. The infrastructure for connecting these panels to the building electric supply was included in the original design and construction costs for the full building, while the solar panels themselves were funded separately. This specific project is to have a series of photovoltaic solar arrays on the roof of the building with a 300 kW peak power rating, capable of generating an estimated 470 MWh of electricity annually. (This project is distinct and separate from the project to install solar panels on the roof of the North Campus Parking Deck.) The scope of the project is to provide a structure located on the existing roof of the ECE Building which will support 950 solar panels and provide all components to connect them to the building electrical system for a fully operational system
Weekly Update: Basic Maintenance 101, Friday Ride
Associated Project(s):All, Still not steadily busy as the temps started to dip. We’ll see what this week brings.
We had our Basic Maintenance 101 class on Wednesday night. Sam held the class and we had 5 people signed up but only 1 showed. Friday Ride was a no-show except for a DI reporter who wanted to cover the event.
This week is business as usual and our Friday Ride again. I’ll scavenge some freewheels and tires/tubes off some of the junk bikes in storage at some point, too. We are desperately low on used freewheels and can’t really get any new ones due to the sustained supply shortages.The numbers:
Visitors: 22
Sales: $664.50Bikes (refurb): 3 for $410
Tires/tubes: 7 for $26
Thanks!Jacob Benjamin
WManager, Campus Bike CenterFree Native Bee Homes from The Bee Conservancy
Associated Project(s):The Bee Conservancy, an environmental NPO, is handing out hundreds of free native bee homes across the U.S. and Canada in hopes of boosting native bee populations.
As part of its Sponsor-A-Hive program, the group is offering 500 native bee homes to community-focused organizations that support food growth, education, or ecological conservation. (Two hundred were awarded in fall and 300 are being awarded this spring.) Eligible groups include community gardens, nature centers, schools, tribal organizations, parks, and zoos. According to Guillermo Fernandez, founder and executive director of The Bee Conservancy, "We’re looking for organizations that share our passion to nurture local bee populations, create habitat for them, and support their communities and local food systems."
Applications are open until the end of April 2021!
Read more about The Bee Conservancy native bee home giveaway in the TreeHugger article.
Adapthaus inauguration coming soon!
Associated Project(s):The Illinois Solar Decathlon team has completed construction of the innovative ADAPTHAUS and is planning an inauguration event. To learn more about this project, visit some of the many links below:
https://www.solardecathlon.gov/2020/build/competition-team-illinois.html
https://resourcefurniture.com/inspiration/adapthaus-net-zero-for-the-win/
https://sustainability.illinois.edu/student-team-awarded-150000-for-sola...
https://www.facebook.com/illinoissolardecathlon/
https://dailyillini.com/opinions/2021/01/19/letter-to-the-editor-illinoi...
https://www.contractormag.com/green/solar/article/21144537/solar-decathl...
https://twitter.com/Solar_Decathlon/status/1377984161751867395
seed purchased and delivered
Associated Project(s):Brent Lewis did the purchase for seeds ($86.90) for the Green Roof on the Foreign Language Building, and delivered them to the students, c/o Joey Kreiling, on April 7, 2021.
The students are now growing these seeds in greenhouses, to be planted later this year.
Weekly Update: Interview with Buzz Magazine, Fix-a-Flat, Bike Maintenance 101
Associated Project(s):All,This week projects to be a busy one as the temps climb into the 70s.
Last week I had an interview with Buzz Magazine and we had our Fix-a-Flat class on Wednesday evening. It was well-attended with 3 participants. Our first Friday Ride was a no-show as it was still, I guess, a little chilly for most people. Personally, 60 and sunny is delightful weather to ride a bike. Elsewhere, I also worked with Todd to clear out some bikes at the warehouse. One guy came by specifically asking for the Bike@Illinois seat cover. I happily obliged.
This week we have another after-hours class on Wednesday (Bike Maintenance 101) and another Friday Ride.
Campus Rec IT came by on Friday and set up our new phone, new number, and email address. I worked with Barry to get this new number hooked into TBP communications. The phone will ring in the lobby, which will be much easier to hear and answer than just having my office line.The numbers:
Visitors: 18
Sales: $677.50
Memberships: 5 for $150
Bikes (refurb): 2 for $370
Tire/tubes: 4 for $29Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Manager, Campus Bike Center