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  1. Last Month for Bulk Solar Pricing

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Urbana-Champaign
    September is Final Month to Use Bulk Pricing for Solar

    Solar Urbana-Champaign 4.0 is scheduled to end new contract signings for solar installations on September 30 at 5pm.  That means you have just 3 weeks to schedule a site assessment with New Prairie Construction, receive a proposal, and sign a contract for your shiny new solar array. 

    Email 12 months of electric bills to solar@newprairieconstruction.com with the subject line "last minute solar proposal."

    If you've already received a proposal, then all you need to do is say YES to your very own renewable energy power plant.  And keep in mind that 2019 is the last year for the 30% federal tax credit.  It's 26% next year.

    Join the 200 other friends and neighbors in the Urbana-Champaign area that are enjoying a home or business running on sunshine courtesy of Solar Urbana-Champaign.
         

    Second Bulk Discount Achieved

    All Solar UC participants receive compounding 1% discounts off the purchase price of their solar installation as the program reaches 50 kilowatts, 150 kilowatts, and 250 kilowatts of contracted capacity.  The 2019 round of Solar UC currently stands at 151 kilowatts of contracted capacity!  So a 2% discount on all installations!
     

     


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  2. VeoRide August 2019 ridership overview

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bike Share with Veo

    Below are the key numbers for the month of August:

    August Total Rides:21910

    Rides per bike per day:1.7

    Average Ride Time: 8 Minutes

    E-bike Rides:16,511

    Peddle Bike Rides:5,398

    Private property removal reports:10

    Total Market Rides: 301,278…Over 300k!!!!!!

  3. Weekly Updates for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hello Pete and Shawn--

    This past week, I recontacted Purchasing and Tech Services to follow up on my inquiries about toner cartridge recycling. Aaron Finder at Purchasing has received some information on Office Depot's program and is pursuing additional information from them. I have not heard back from Tech Services and will try to phone them this week.

    Best regards,

    Marya Ryan

  6. 2019 Mode Share results - Faculty/Staff and Students

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Driving on Campus

    The mode share for campus employees driving alone is down from an original figure of 74% to only 60%!  There is more work to be done to reach our FY20 goal of only 55%, but this is great progress! Check out the graph at 4.4 Reduce Single Occupancy Vehicle Usage, or read the attached files for more details.

     

     

    Attached Files: 

  7. Weekly Updates for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hello Pete and Shawn--

    I don't have any zero waste activities to report for the past week. I have not received any further news on toner cartridge drop-off sites and will follow up on the inquiries I made in August in the next day or two.

    Best regards,

    Marya Ryan

  9. Sustainable Student Farm Open House

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Student Farm
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach

    The Sustainable Student Farm will host its annual Open House on Friday September 6 from 3-6 PM.  Tours of the SSF and Woody Perennial Polyculture projects will be offered as well as food items prepared by the U of I’s Housing and Dining Services featuring produce from the farm. The Student Sustainable Farm grows fruit and vegetables that are sold within the campus community.  Woody Perennial Polyculture is an experimental, alternative farming approach focusing on perennial tree crops instead of annual cropping systems.  Come out to listen, eat, and learn!

    September 6, 3–6:00 PM • https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sustainable+Student+Farm/@40.079908,-88.2189663,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x880cd6f002562e19:0x5ffbd796430d2fef!8m2!3d40.079908!4d-88.2167776

    Bruce Branham • Department of Crop Sciences

  11. Freezer Challenge was in the Chancellor's message

    Associated Project(s): 
    Freezer Challenge
    Issue Press Releases and Sustainability Reports
    Apply for Recognition
     
    Click here to see this online
     
     
     

    A monthly e-newsletter where Chancellor Robert Jones shares campus news, stories, successes and information


    Welcome Back


     
     

    I hope you'll take a moment to watch this short video welcoming students to campus. I am grateful to each one of you for making this a special place to live, learn and work. No matter how long you’ve been part of the Illinois community, there is always something new to discover. I look forward to seeing what we will accomplish together. 

    Sincerely,
    Robert J. Jones
    Chancellor
     


    Celebrate Homecoming


    It's time to come home, Illini.

    Illinois Homecoming will take place Oct. 13-19. From pancakes at the Homecoming 5K to family fun in Grange Grove, don’t miss out on all our community has to offer. 

    For the full list of events, view the homecoming website and the Facebook event.
     


    Congratulate Students


     
     

    Illinois students are outstanding. For the spring 2019 semester, the university announced:

    - 7,240 Dean’s List students
    - 243 Bronze Tablet honorees
    - 9,068 May graduates

    For the complete list of names, view this list.
     


    Rediscover TailGREAT


    The 1980s tailgating competition is returning to Illinois after a 30-year hiatus. 

    TailGREAT will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21 when the Illini take on Nebraska at Memorial Stadium. The competition will award the Best BBQ and Most Creative Tailgate.
     


    Celebrate Our Community


     
     

    Illinois was ranked #20 on the list of Best Colleges for your Money by Money magazine.

    Champaign-Urbana was named one of the Top 40 places young people are moving to by USA Today.

    Illinois received first place in the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge’s Academic category for the second year in a row.
     


    Learn About University News


    Application opens - The Illinois application for freshmen and transfer students opens Sept. 1.

    Scholar endowment - A University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign endowment to honor scholar Yingying Zhang has been established by the Zhang family. Yingying's Fund will assist international students in crisis and their families.

    Student Success - A new Student Success Initiative aims to better understand the factors that lead to retention, graduation rates, placement, degree-completion time and more.
     


    Discover Illinois Research


     
     

    Better sleep - Optimistic people tend to sleep better and longer, according to a new Illinois study.

    Cheaper flight costs - Illinois researchers are using artificial intelligence to design a customized pricing model that benefits airline customers.

    Healthier diets in children - An Illinois study provides more evidence that kids who cook have healthier dietary habits.

    Safer K-9s - A new Illinois effort will ensure law enforcement K-9s get the specialized care they need when injured on the job.


    Unsubscribe from Illinois Noteworthy
    		 
     
     
     
     
     

  12. Updates from F&S - VeoRide Bike Share Rides

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bike Share with Veo

    F&S shared an update regarding VeoRide Bike Share Rides on August 29, 2019. Click here to view the full article. Following is the excerpt from the article about VeoRides:

    VeoRide Bike Share Rides
    As the start of the fall semester is underway, Facility Managers should expect an increase in VeoRide bike activity. VeoRide is one of the sponsors for the annual Bike Month in May and several bike initiatives in our community. The number of rides each month is shared with campus, and posted online at https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/dockless-bike-sharing. Last September and October, there were close to 50,000 rides each month on the 500 VeoRide bikes in our community, while February and March were closer to 10,000 rides each. The total for the first year was 247,236 rides!

    Please contact VeoRide hello@veoride.com, 855-836-2256, if you see a bike that needs to be moved or repaired. It is also okay to pick up and move a misplaced bike. If you can locate the vehicle’s ID number (located on the handlebar or lock), please include this information in your report. Bike share companies are responsible for addressing reported issues within three hours during peak hours.

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  14. Weekly Update - Build-a-Bike, Quad Day, First Visit Free suspended

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Busy week, per this time of year. We’re down to two bikes for sale. We’ll be suspending the First Visit Free policy this week as we’re getting too busy to accommodate free repairs. We’ve got a few of the “You don’t have a bike, I guess I’ll build one!” B-a-Bs going. Fortunately the current crop of available bikes are in good shape and don’t need anything too intense and intensive done to get them road worthy. There may be a few crusty-bearing wheels walking out but this is not the time of year for perfection.
    Friday we were closed for Campus Recreation Student Staff Training, which went well. Saturday was our Illini Frenzy and Sunday was Quad Day, so it’s been busy to say the least. This week I’ve got a job recruiting opportunity this evening at the ARC from 8 – 9p. I’ll be attending that. Thursday after hours there’ll be a staff training for the Bike Center staff. So a fair bit of extracurricular activity this week!

     

    The numbers:
    Visitors: 123*
    Sales: $2,278.60
    Bikes (refurb): 10 for $1,475
    Memberships: 13 for $390
    Tires/tubes: 10 for $38

     

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Manager, Campus Bike Center

  15. Weekly Updates for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn—

    This week’s zero waste activities centered on investigating convenient options for campus units to drop off toner cartridges for recycling. Aaron Finder from Purchasing noted that Office Depot may have a solution for us. He is working on including me in his quarterly meeting with them to discuss it.

    Best regards,
    Marya

  16. Invoice contact information for the University of Illinois

    Associated Project(s): 
    Light the Night

    On August 26th, Sarthak Prasad sent the information needed to set up the Purchasing Orders (POs) for MTD and TBP to purchase the lights for the event. he also sent the contact information to use for Quote and Invoice.

    See the meeting notes from the first group meeting for LTN 2019.

    See the bike lights purchasing agreement here.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Hi Barry and Evan,

    I will get a PO set up for TBP and MTD, and then I can send them to you.  The invoice we receive needs to not include a date before the date of the PO.

    The best process for us is:

    1. F&S sets up a Work Order (links the costs to a campus account #).
    2. TBP and MTD give us an official quote, good for 30 days.
      1. It should describe the item, quantity, and price
      2. It should include the remittance address.
    3. F&S sets up a PO based on the quote, which I will request.
    4. TBP and MTD receive the PO, or we tell you the PO #, and TBP and MTD order the lights.
    5. When the lights are received, TBP and MTD need to send the invoice to my attention (emailing a PDF will work; copy Morgan and Stacey).
    6. F&S marks them as “received” in our ordering system, and then UPAY will process the check.

    We will need the quote to be sent to us before you place the orders. Please send it to Morgan’s attention, and copy me and Stacey.  For the basic info you requested:

    Agency Name – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Department Name (or Individual) – Facilities & Services Sustainability, Attn: Morgan White

    Postal Mail Address- 1501 S. Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820

     

    Thanks,

    Sarthak

     

    Sarthak Prasad

    Sustainability and TDM Specialist

    Facilities & Services

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  19. SWATeam Welcome Message

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Education iCAP Team
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Resilience iCAP Team
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)

    Dear SWATeam members,  We are so happy to welcome you to the FY20 SWATeams, including Energy, Land and Water, Zero Waste, Transportation, Education, and the new Resilience Working Advisory Team (RWAT).  SWATeams are an important part of our overall Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) efforts, and we truly appreciate your assistance and support! 

     

    In 2014, iSEE worked with the Office of the Chancellor to develop the formal sustainability procedures to support the Carbon Commitment.  These procedures established the SWATeams, the iCAP Working Group (iWG), and the Sustainability Council.  In 2018 Chancellor Jones and the Mayors of Urbana and Champaign signed a Resilience Proclamation, so RWAT is the newest part of our SWATeam process.  We are currently working on an update to the iCAP procedures document. We’re also updating the 2015 iCAP plan to the new 2020 iCAP, and FY20 SWATeams will contribute to such an important milestone of iCAP!

     

    For both returning and new SWATeam members, here are a few things to expect in the coming weeks:

    • iSEE Director Evan DeLucia will be sending a formal charge letter for each team.
    • iSEE Sustainable Programs Coordinator Meredith Moore is training the new SWATeam clerks and graduate assistant, Regina Cassidy.  Then the SWATeam clerks will contact you to schedule three full team meetings this semester, one in September, October, and November.
    • The SWATeam pages on iSEE have been updated, and we will be updating the iCAP Portal pages.
    • We will send you a schedule for the 2020 iCAP development, with specific timelines for the SWATeams to draft specific, measurable objectives for the 2020 iCAP.
    • You will receive an invitation to the SWATeam kick-off event, hosted by iSEE in September.

    As mentioned above, this year will be highly focused on drafting the 2020 Illinois Climate Action Plan iCAP.  Each of the SWATeams will be asked to recommend specific, measurable objectives for the 2020 iCAP.  To help facilitate this effort, the two of us, as co-chairs of iWG, will both be attending each full SWATeam meeting in September, October, and November.  The actual iCAP chapters will be written by members of the iWG and iSEE staff, based on the input received from SWATeams and campus, for review by the iWG.  In Spring 2020, there will be campus and community review of the draft chapters, and the SWATeams will be included as key stakeholders in that review process. Ultimately, the 2020 iCAP with a chapter for each SWATeam, and additional related chapters will be formally submitted to the Sustainability Council for campus approval.

     

    The University is committed to being carbon neutral as soon as possible, and no later than 2050, and to bolstering our community’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. SWATeams play a key role to achieve those goals. We thank you for your willingness to assist in the efforts that will make us a model of sustainability for the nation. Thank you for your time, your enthusiasm and your continuous efforts!

     

    Sincerely,

     

    Ximing Cai and Morgan White

    iCAP Working Group, co-chairs

     

  20. Message from IDNR, Mike Brunk

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tree Campus Higher Education

    University of Illinois Home Yard and Garden newsletter is a great way to stay up on Illinois weed, disease and insect problems and management guidance.  With the below link you can sign up for direct emails notifications as well.

     

    Issue no. 9 of the Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter is now available on the Web. Point your browser to:

    http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu


    IN THIS ISSUE:

    =================================
    White grubs
    http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1098

    White grub is a common name for the larvae of June beetles, chafers and Japanese beetles that feed on the roots of turfgrass.  The grubs can be found in the first 8 inches of soil beneath turfgrass.  They are white, C-shaped larvae, about 1 inch long and have 6 jointed legs attached close to their small brown head capsule.  Excessive root feeding by white grubs can leave turfgrass poorly anchored to the soil and can result in brown patches in a lawn that can be pulled back like a rug.  This can impact the aesthetics of a lawn and, in some cases, can make sports fields less safe for children and athletes.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Nimblewill Noticeable During Hot Dry Conditions
    http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1099

    There have been a few recent calls about nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi).  With the hot, dry conditions we have had  lately, our cool-season turfgrass growth has slowed, making warm-season  nimblewill growth more noticeable.  While  cool-season turfgrasses are dormant, nimblewill is actively growing and  enjoying the lack of competition.  This  unbalance can allow nimblewill to be a serious weed problem.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Fire Blight
    http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1100

    I have received a few reports and questions regarding fire  blight on ornamental pears. Fire blight is a bacterial disease that infects  approximately 75 different species of plants, all in the Rosaceae family. Apples,  pears, crabapples, and ornamental pears are the most seriously affected  species. Other rosaceous hosts include cotoneaster, hawthorn, quince,  firethorn, and mountain-ash.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Bacterial Leaf  Scorch – New Molecular Service Available
    http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1101

    It’s the time of the year that we start seeing bacterial  leaf scorch symptoms develop in central Illinois, and several samples have been  submitted that appear to be infected in the last few weeks. We are now offering  a molecular test for this pathogen, which will reduce the turnaround time, and  because it’s more sensitive than the previous ELISA test, ca be used any time  during the growing season when symptoms appear.
    =================================

     

    Mike

     

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