You are here

Project Updates for collection: Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects

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. Campus Rec Water Conservation Funding Agreement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Rec Water Conservation Incentives
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Water conservation initiatives have generally taken a back seat to energy conservation at the University of Illinois. Campus Recreation has proposed a comprehensive upgrade of restroom facilities in all three of their buildings, with the potential of reducing water consumption by almost 6.5 million gallons annually. This work would be highly visible to students and in a fellow student-fee supported unit. Thus, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of proving upto $30,000 in incentives at the rate of $0.30 per $1.00 spent.

    Attached Files: 

  2. Thin Clients for Green Computing Funding Agreement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Chip PC Thin Client
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal looks to improve the energy efficiency of campus computing by expanding the use of thin client hardware and infrastructure. The effort will build on previous successful thin computing studies, scaling up the initiative to make thin clients available to a wider campus audience. Thin clients use 95% less energy than traditional desktop computers, which can significantly reduce campus energy expense and carbon emissions. Further, thin clients have a 10 year life-span, compared to the 3-4 year useful life of a traditional desktop computer, resulting in better utilization and ultimately less e-waste. To encourage the expansion of this more sustainable model of computing, this project seeks to make thin clients available at reduced costs for campus units. $40,000 of the grant would fund thin client devices, licenses, and associated Terminal Server client access licenses (CALs) at a rate up of to $200 or 50% of costs, whichever is lower. At least 200 thin clients will be made available at discounted rates for campus units; additional funding will come directly from units’ allocated budgets for replacement computer hardware. Purchase commitments for atleast 100 devices have made made by the College of FAA, and additional commitments have been made by Swanlund System Services and Campus Recreation. The remaining $5,000 of the grant would compensate Webstore/CITES for server/virtual machine investments. As more and more locations will have thin clients visible, students, faculty, and visitors will realize the benefits of this sustainable computing solution. Thus, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding the fully requested amount of $45,000.

    Attached Files: 

  3. Concern with stewardship efforts

    Associated Project(s): 
    Prairie Restoration at Florida & Orchard

    Pizzo & Associates donated labor and materials to the prairie area at the corner of Florida Avenue and Orchard Street. Jack Pizzo, President and Senior Ecologist of Pizzo and Associates, emailed the stakeholders of the plot on July 1, 2010 to formally express his concern with the upkeeping of the plot.

    His letter is below and attached is the Memorandum of Agreement for Gifts in Kind between Pizzo & Associates and the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.


    To: Sustainability Committee



    RE: President's Prairie Planting, Site visit on June 29th 2010



    Dear Fellow Stakeholders,



    I'm writing this letter to formally express my concern with the current status of the ongoing stewardship efforts at the above mentioned site.
    I was onsite yesterday and was completely surprised as to the unkempt condition of the planting. The excessive height is out competing the native species.



    My company donated material and labor with the good faith understanding that the prairie areas would be maintained at a level to ensure success. I am fully aware of the abundance of rain and the difficulties this reality presents, but to simply do nothing while the site becomes overgrown constitutes neglect of the most egregious nature.



    As a group we cannot afford failure of this magnitude and visibility.  I am writing to call your attention to the current site conditions and to highlight the necessity of prompt action.  As a professional in the business of ecological restoration and as a graduate of the University, I am confident the solution to our problem lies within the team we have assembled.  In the near term, the entire site needs to be mowed and treated selectively with herbicide.  In the long term, a more consistent stewardship plan needs to be developed and implemented to prevent the current situation from occurring in the future.


    I am fully aware that traditional management means may not work with the soils that are currently saturated soils but most of the site is dry enough to mow. From experience, I can recommend a number of alternative treatments including using: a walk behind mower, a sickle bar mower, brush cutting with Stihl FS-250 brush cutters or manual cutting with Christmas tree knives.  The cut material needs to be removed due to the excessive height since all of that debris will smother the seedlings. Either way, something needs to be done to bring the vegetation under control and prevent further seeding impedance. This needs to be done within the next week.



    I don't want to be party to a failure and I know none of you do either.
    A prompt, coordinated response would be most appreciated!



    Please keep me in the loop as to the efforts.



    Best regards,



    Jack

    Attached Files: 

  5. 2010 iCAP commitment

    Associated Project(s): 
    Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)

    The 2010 iCAP executive summary included this commitment:

    "The University will establish a dedicated, centrally coordinated funding pool for energy conservation projects within the next three years. This “clean energy” fund will allow for both internal (student fees, faculty contributions, staff contributions, energy savings reinvestment, capital programs), and external (programs, rebates, donations, outside investors) participation. It will be established as a capital infusion and coordination mechanism aimed at physical energy and energy cost reductions that also allows for the sustained maintenance of these investments."

  6. Open House, April 2010

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    The Campus Bike Project, located at 608 East Pennsylvania Ave. in Champaign, will hold an open house on Friday, April 23, from noon to 5 p.m. in conjunction with Earth Day. Tours will be available every hour, on the hour, at 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m.

    Attached Files: 

  7. Campus Bike Project soft opening, March 2010

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    The Campus Bike Project (later named the Campus Bicycle Shop) opened in March of 2010 during Naturally Illinois and began serving the campus for 16 hours per week (open Monday mornings, Friday afternoons, and Sunday and Tuesday evenings).

    A press release was sent out and is attached here.

    Attached Files: 

  8. High Tunnels

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Student Farm

    The Student Sustainable Farm began using high tunnels, which allow for year-round production. The farm will begin with salad greens, leaf lettuce, and braising greens.

  10. Funding for employee from F&S Executive Director

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    This afternoon, I verified with Jack Dempsey that he is still willing to fund a 900-HR extra-help employee for the first year of the new Campus Bike Project.  The employee will be paid $12.00 per hour for 900 hours, so the full cost is $10,800. - Morgan Johnston

  12. Illinois Farm Sustainability Calculator

    Associated Project(s): 
    Large-Scale Food Waste Composting

    Is your farm sustainable?  How can you make your farm sustainable?  The Illinois Farm Sustainability Calculator can help you figure out these things out.  And it's pretty easy to use.  See the list of tabs on the bottom of your screen?  Navigate through them by using the grey buttons at the top of the sheets or by hitting ctrl+page down (cmd+page down on macs)  In each sheet, fill each white box with data from your farm.  Be sure to make a selection in all of the white drop-down boxes too.  If you don't know something, leave the default number or the default selection in place.  If your farm does not have ten separate fields, leave the extra field sheets unchanged.  Same goes for any extra ruminant, swine, and poultry sheets.

    Attached Files: 

  15. Creation of the Campus Bicycle Shop

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    In spring of 2009, discussions began between the University of Illinois and The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign, regarding an on-campus bicycle shop.  Fred Davidson, Joel Gillespie, and Tony Cherolis were key representatives of The Bike Project.  Morgan Johnston, Steve Veazie, and Jeff Courson were key representatives of the UI.  The files attached here represent some of the effort that initiated this program.

    The original shop was called the Campus Bike Project.

    Attached Files: 

  16. Dairy Cattle Composting Facility study

    Associated Project(s): 
    Large-Scale Food Waste Composting

    Previous composting study “U08067 Dairy Cattle Composting Facility” reviewed options for full scale complete composting of animal, food, agriculture, and landscape waste.  Study was cancelled before completion because ACES ran into budget issues and the whole Dairy program was slated for potential reduction or elimination.

    Attached Files: 

  17. Prairie Restoration at Florida & Orchard Funding Agreement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Prairie Restoration at Florida & Orchard
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal looks to restore the no-mow zone at the southwest corner of Florida Ave. and Orchard St., as the campus’ first prairie planting. It will provide a site for an array of learning and passive recreation opportunities for both students and members of the extended community, while sequestering greenhouse gases as tangible evidence of the campus commitment to responsible sustainable behavior. Thus, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding the fully requested amount of $40,000.

    Attached Files: 

  18. Vet-Med Prairie Funding Agreement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Vet Med Prairies
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The goal of this project would to be to plant a tallgrass prairie garden that mimics the natural prairie growth of Illinois.  The garden would go in two locations front of the Basic Sciences Building and be about 10200 sq ft.  The garden would consist of 40-50 different plants and consist of around 10000 seedlings. This project will create an area of native habitat on our campus, help educate and engage students about the prairie landscape, integrate with educational opportunities and serve as a pilot for future initiatives of this kind. Therefore, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding the project for $21,700.

    Attached Files: 

  19. Student Farm Local Foods Funding Agreement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Student Farm
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The goal of this project is to start a student-operated farm that produces significant quantities of fruits and vegetables for use in the University food service operations. The operation of such a farm will be of significant educational value, reduce carbon emissions associated with food production and transportation as well as be of value to Extension programs. Additionally, this project furthers the university’s role as a land grant institution. Thus, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding the full requested amount of $50,000.

    Attached Files: 

  20. Solar Decathlon 2009 Funding Agreement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illinois Solar Decathlon
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal seeks to provide funding for student education centered around the University of Illinois’s participation in the 2011 US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Competition. Each student team participating in this prestigious, international competition is required to build an entirely solar-powered 800 sq. foot house with innovative design features. This grant will provide funds for the development of new courses and enhancement of existing courses, provisioning of course materials and software, and the sponsorship of guest lecturers and consultants ($25,000), the employment of graduate students in coordinating roles for education and volunteer engagement activities ($15,000), and student travel associated with the competition ($10,000). The last UI entry in the Solar Decathlon competition engaged hundreds of students and was the highest-placed US finisher in the Competition; furthermore this participation will require the team to raise $700,000 at a time of severe campus budget constraints. Thus, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding this proposal in the amount of $50,000.

    Attached Files: 

Pages