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Projects Updates for key objective: No name

  1. 6-15-23 F&S investigating food truck composting in collaboration with CCES

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Food Truck Certification
    Plan for Organic Waste
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Reduce Foodwaste

    From: Carroll, Cassandra Leah <ccarrol2@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2023 9:52 AM
    To: Gloss, Stacy L <sgloss@illinois.edu>; Mahajan, Shreya <shreyam6@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: Compost Bin in Urbana

     

    Hi Shreya,

     

    Please also contact Susan Monte at Champaign County Environmental Stewards to collaborate on this work: smonte@ccenvstew.com

     

    Here is their website: https://www.ccenvstew.com/

     

    Cassie

     

    Cassie Carroll

    Marketing & Communications Director

    Smart Energy Design Assistance Center

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    1 St. Mary’s Road, Champaign, IL 61820

    217-300-6477

    ccarrol2@illinois.edu

  3. iCAP Portal Admin Meeting - June 16, 2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Done:

    Discussion:

    • Revisit Header Project Layout and Fancy Page Layout
      • Made Header Project Layout public
      • Continue discussion of Fancy Page Layout at next week's meeting, as part of larger aesthetics discussion
    • Discuss Codie's comparative analysis document
      • The document is very helpful for seeing what other universities are doing and how our efforts match up with theirs
    • Question about a TODO: "Collections page: Add image upload option". At a previous meeting we had this TODO, but what was the context? Was it to have a thumbnail for each Collection? Or a banner image?
    • Should we link to "Take Action" project from homepage?
      • Replace map link in Highlights?
      • Need to finish Take Action page content
    • Archiving projects
      • Add "Archived" checkbox?
      • Add "Archived" to Visibility options?
      • Add "Archived" to Project Status options? (probably not - this mixes the status of the project itself with whether we still want it to show up on the site)
      • Remove from nested listings, still publicly available?

    TODO:

    • Main map:
      • Start with only Campus Tour locations shown
      • Filter by Theme or Collection
      • See CSU's campus map (Sustainability section) for inspiration
    • Loading message on page unload shows up sometimes in browser page history (e.g. view iCAP Portal PDF from About page, then click "back")
    • Homepage has extra padding on right side on mobile
    • SSC project embedding: add category filtering options
    • (long term goal) look into importing information from another source, e.g. SSC students without iCAP Portal access can put together info in a structured format for automatic import into iCAP Portal
    • Look into Collection embedding again, à la Drawdown Solutions Library Sammy had found ("Filter by sector or area of action" section)
    • Metric search/display:
      • Theme (via connected Project, i.e. Theme -> Project -> Metric)
      • Most recent updates as of: (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
      • (Internal only) Last updated before (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
    • (Low Priority) Make column headers click-sortable on Projects by Project Status page
    • Fancy project layout mockups - keep tweaking #3 to improve contrast
    • Discuss metrics
      • Metrics with lots of data
      • Consider how to handle old metrics that no longer track new data. Archive somehow?
      • Fun with math (e.g. combining multiple metrics)
      • Calculated Metrics on Dev site

  5. Emergency Ride Home program information: University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Associated Project(s): 
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike

    Following is some information from University of Wisconsin-Madison regarding their Emergency Ride Home program:

    UW Madison's Emergency Ride Home Program is intended to provide another incentive to employees who opt NOT do drive alone to campus, so it is not available to any employee with an annual (car) parking permit. https://transportation.wisc.edu/commuter-solutions/emergency-ride-home/. They use a voucher based system for their ERH program with an annual budget of $1,600. They have less than 2 dozen people use the ERH program every year and they give 3 vouchers for Lyft to those enrolled in this program. UW Madison still sees a desire for this program, because as they said, “the point is that the rides are free.”

    • How often an employee can use this service in a year?
      • ERH can be used up to three times every six months.
    • How do you fund the ERH program? Do you use your departmental funds or is there another funding source available?
      • ERH is funded through parking revenue
    • How often do employees use this program? What is the annual cost that you have to reimburse (in general)?
      • Annual budget is $1,600
    • does the $1,600 per year budget includes administrative cost?

      • No, but there essentially are not any administrative cost. The program takes very little time and it is folded into my existing duties

    • Who has the administrative responsibility for this program?

      • I do. It is a UW Transportation Services program.

    • I understand that the employees need to not pay the taxi and just provide the driver with the ERH form. Does the taxi company file for reimbursement? How does that system look like?

      • We have a contract with the cab companies and they invoice us and include a copy of the form with the invoice.

    • I am a bit confused about the Lyft option. The website says that users will get 3 codes to use per six months after submitting the form, but how do you ensure that the users are not using this code for personal use?

      • We assume good faith use. To get the Lyft code you click a box that says you agree to our policies. In theory if someone abused the program they might be subject to disciplinary action (or at least a nasty letter and/or being banned from future use).

    • Would you be able to connect me with the Lyft point of contact that you have for the ERH program?
    • Employees only get either 3 codes by Lyft or 3 taxi fares, right?

      • The policy is 3 total rides per 6 months, but it would be possible to cheat that and do both (or use more than 3 cab rides). It is up to me to monitor for abuse. In the 16 years that I have managed the program I have had ONE case of abuse.  We literally goes months sometimes with no one using the program and there’s never more than half a dozen rides in a single month.

  6. Emergency Ride Home program information: Indiana University Bloomington

    Associated Project(s): 
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike

    Following is some information from Anna Dragovich from Indiana University Bloomington regarding their Emergency Ride Home program:

    • What is the current budget to run this program?
      • It’s not much – maybe $1,000-$2,000/year. I don’t have a set budget – it’s just whatever people use, is what I reimburse. It hasn’t gotten out of hand enough for me to apply any more restrictions than what we already have in place. Surprisingly, not many take advantage of it.
    • I see that you use Chrome River for users to get reimbursement. I seem to recall that your department used to pay for this system. Is this still the case?
      • Yes, this is still the case. We use Chrome River to facilitate that reimbursement. We have the steps outlined here on our website (scroll down a little).
    • How many people are enrolled in this program?
      • ERH is eligible only for people who are enrolled in our commuter program which is about 800.
    • How many people use it?
      • I’ve had only about 10 people use it in the last year.
    • How do you confirm if the users availed this service for a legitimate reason?
      • We have them attest that they used it for legitimate reasons when they submit in Chrome River.
    • Have you evaluated the program recently and whether there is still a desire/demand for ERH now that there are Uber/Lyft and other ride share programs available?
      • We encourage them to use Uber/Lyft and are reimbursing those expenses. A few years ago, they could only use taxi companies in town but with taxi’s going out of business and Uber/Lyft taking their place, we switched.

  7. 6-12-23 F&S looking into local composting options for food trucks

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Food Truck Certification
    Plan for Organic Waste
    Reduce Foodwaste
    Achieve Zero Waste

    F&S is looking into local composting options for the green food truck program.

     

    From: Gloss, Stacy L <sgloss@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Monday, June 12, 2023 2:33 PM
    To: Mahajan, Shreya <shreyam6@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>; Carroll, Cassandra Leah <ccarrol2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: Compost Bin in Urbana

     

    Hi Shreya,

     

    Here is more information about this program.

     

    https://illinoiscomposts.org/commercial-composting-programs/champaign-county-group-receives-funding-seeks-participants-for-commercial-food-scrap-compost-pilot/

     

    Stacy

     

    From: Mahajan, Shreya <shreyam6@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Monday, June 12, 2023 1:57 PM
    To: Gloss, Stacy L <sgloss@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>; Carroll, Cassandra Leah <ccarrol2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Compost Bin in Urbana

     

    Hi Stacy,

     

    From our meeting on July 24, you mentioned that Urbana has a compost bin that is designed to take waste from commercial businesses. I was talking with my team, and it would be great if we implemented a system that collected compostable materials and food waste from food trucks. Would you happen to have more information about this site?

     

    Thanks,

    Shreya Mahajan

  8. 6-12-23 Internal Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)
    Welcome Celebration Recycling

    On June 12, UIUC sustainability representatives met to discuss the following:

    Attendance: Shreya Mahajan, Thurman Etchison, Marty Kaufmann, Julie Wurth, Steve Breitwieser, Jen Fraterrigo, Bryan Johnson, Daphne Hulse

    In progress: iCAP Zero Waste Recommendations

    • ZW010: Tailgate Recycling:
      • Transmitted to Josh Whitman – approved.
      • Next steps:
        • Meet with iSEE/DIA POC to finalize plans for fall.
        • Meet with Jake Slager to discuss incentives for the event.
        • Meet with relevant groups for after-game pickup (Grange Grove, Stadium seats)
    • ZW011: Recycling Bins at State Farm Center:
      • Transmitted to Josh Whitman and Tim Knox.

    In progress: Welcome Week 2023

    • Friday, August 18: Welcome Celebration Lunch in Lot 31. 1 hour – 1 hour 15 minutes.
    • Planning a recycling-focused event with the help of outdoor recycling bins from Coca-Cola and student volunteers.
    • Proposed bin: RVAT
      • Length x width x height = 47” x 39” x 40.5” (interior framing). Cannot be collapsed for storage.
      • Wrapping with Don’t Waste messaging can be collapsed for storage.
      • Transported via pallets.
      • Can be used for other outdoor purposes (recycling near Memorial Stadium entrances)
      • Cost: wraps. Jake is working on an estimate based on the quantity available.
    • Students from SECS, SSLC, Project4Less, SSC on campus over the summer
    • Next steps:
      • Where could we store these? How many could we store?

    Exploring: Housing Insider Newsletter - Sustainability Highlight

    • Conceptually similar to “Don’t Waste Wednesdays” approach – sustainability initiatives across different campus units.
    • Housing Marketing Team to determine what is feasible.
      • Chris Axtmen-Barker
    • Dining – plan for advertising sustainability initiatives in the upcoming academic year?

    Completed: Water Bottle Station Inventory

    • Encourage campus community to use reusable bottles across the locations identified.
    • Inventoried state-supported, McKinley, Illini Union/Bookstore, DIA, Housing, KCPA facilities.
    • Clarifying fancy vs simple bottle filler stations in the legend:
      • Include pictures where we post
    Attached Files: 

  9. Solar Farm 3.0 possibilities on UIUC owned land?

    Associated Project(s): 
    Off-campus Solar Farm 3.0 PPA

    Hi Geri and Anita,

     

    At the Sustainability Council, you said there are University-owned lands that could potentially support our Solar Farm 3.0 goals.  I think you said there is one possibility near UIS.  Is there another location, as well?

     

    I’d appreciate a description of the potential sites and locations, so we can talk with the energy consultant about those sites.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

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

     

    The UIS farmland adjacent to that campus could be considered for a solar project.  Decisions pertaining to the development of a solar project at UIS would be done through that campus.  Our UIS contact is Chuck Coderko, Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities and Services. There are approximately 256 total acres of which 235 are tillable acres (in crop production) managed by Ag Property Services   UIF has approximately 75 acres near the UIS campus as well.  UIF farmland is managed by Heartland Bank. 

    From my email exchange with Chuck, “several discussions with Springfield’s City Water Light & Power (CWLP), the sole provider of UIS’s electricity, who owns the lines/power grid. They are investing in solar in other areas of Illinois, and after several meetings, proposed ideas, etc., it appears they are not interested in what UIS would offer, and we would be on our own. But the city’s leadership changed a couple of months ago, and future opportunities may exist. Without CWLP or another partner, we would be generating electricity for the campus. We would also like to include other potential entities we could provide power to (Lincoln Land Community College, etc.), but we haven’t gotten that far.  We are looking for opportunities. As we currently stand, working through a P3 or Energy Service Company would be our most likely scenario, but much feasibility research will need to be done. UIS can’t bank a solar farm alone, and I am leery of levying a multi-million dollar debt on the university.”

     

    Ag Property Services manages farmland for the College of Engineering:

    Reifsteck Farm is located in Champaign County.  There are approximately 247 total acres of which 210 are tillable.  There are research projects on a portion the non-tillable areas. 

    VRO Farm is located in Vermilion County.  There are approximately 320 total acres of which 95 are tillable.  The farmland borders timber/woodland on two sides.  The Illinois Natural History Survey may be conducting research in the timber/woodland. 

     

    If you have additional questions, please let us know.

     

    Thank you,

    Anita Million

  10. FW: Solar Farm 3

    Associated Project(s): 
    Off-campus Solar Farm 3.0 PPA

    Madhu,

         I have attached a study that I did in 2020 for an on-campus Solar Farm 3, in case it is of use to you or anyone else.  The numbers have changed since 2020, of course, but it is likely that the conclusions of the study remain the same.  This study supports the comments I made to you about an on-campus Solar Farm 3 when we spoke last week.

     

                    Scott

    Attached Files: 

  11. Thermal Energy Storage - site selection - updated report and scorecards

    Associated Project(s): 
    Use Clean Thermal Energy

    Good afternoon Site Selection Committee.  I have received some comments and have incorporated them into the draft report and it is attached here.


    Also attached is a site evaluation form for you to fill out along with a quick guide on how to complete the evaluation. Please provide your scoring no later than 3:00pm on Thursday May 11, 2023.  After that, I will compile the final version with the scoring.

     

    Please let me know if you have any questions.  

     

    Thank you,

     

    Mark Roessler

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

    Good afternoon everyone.  Dennis pointed out to me that there is a better scorecard document to use rather than the pdf that I previously sent.  Please use the attached excel spreadsheet instead of the pdf.

     

    And just a reminder to try to have your scores into me by 3pm on Thursday 5/11/2023.

     

    Thank you and have a great weekend.

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

    Good afternoon, Mark.

     

    Please find attached, UOCP’s site selection review to locate a new CHW tank.

     

    Let me know if you have any questions.

     

    Thank you,

    Sandy

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

    Good morning Sandy.  How’s it going today? 

     

    I think you mentioned you/UOCP would have more comments on the draft of the final report for the TES tank selection so I am checking in to see if there are any?


    Thanks.

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

     

    Mark, thank you for requesting UOCP’s input.  UOCP has reviewed the draft Site Evaluation Report for locating the new Thermal Energy Storage tank.  Please accept UOCP’s review comments for consideration before UOCP accepts the final report.

     

    Thank you,

    Sandy

    Attached Files: 

  12. 6-1-23 External Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    Tailgate Recycling
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    Welcome Celebration Recycling

    On June 1, 2023 UIUC representatives and Coca-Cola met to discuss the following:

    Attendance: Naveen Baarla, Jen Fraterrigo, Jake Slager, Marty Kaufmann, Shreya Mahajan, Sarah Carten, Travis Tate

    • Recycling Value Assessment - Tour

      • UIUC recognized as a best in class MRF

    • Upcoming events:

      • Welcome Week Lunch

        • Friday, August 18 Lot 31

        • After State Farm Center convocation

      • Move in week

      • Tailgate recycling (near memorial stadium)

    • Rvat

      • Bottles and cans collector

      • 4’ tall flag pole

      • 48w x 40d x 41h

      • Don’t Waste messaging

      • Could work well with lunch and tailgate recycling (near the collection sites, not near memorial stadium)

      • Tested at Kentucky Derby, test sites at retail stores

        • Jake has a follow up with the Derby tomorrow and will see how the vat use was received

      • Aluminum and steel, chloroplast material. can put a weight down to ensure that it doesn’t blow away

      • On a pallet

    • Competitive bin options

      • Could be near the memorial stadium entrances

      • Could brand it with DIA sports, football

  13. TEACH AD workshop at the Healthy Lifestyle Hub, about the anaerobic digesters installed at Green Era Campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    Plan for Organic Waste
    University of Illinois at Chicago
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Reduce Foodwaste

    Sarthak Prasad and Daphne Hulse attended an in-person TEACH AD workshop at the Healthy Lifestyle Hub in Chicago to learn about the anaerobic digesters installed at Green Era Campus in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood.

    Attached Files: 

  16. iCAP Portal Admin Meeting - June 2, 2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Done:

    Discussion:

    • Review user roles
    • Question about a TODO: "Collections page: Add image upload option". At a previous meeting we had this TODO, but what was the context? Was it to have a thumbnail for each Collection? Or a banner image?
    • Should we link to "Take Action" project from homepage?
      • Replace map link in Highlights?
      • Need to finish Take Action page content
    • Are we ready to make Fancy Page Layout live?
    • Archiving projects
      • Add "Archived" checkbox?
      • Add "Archived" to Visibility options?
      • Add "Archived" to Project Status options? (probably not - this mixes the status of the project itself with whether we still want it to show up on the site)
      • Remove from nested listings, still publicly available?

    TODO:

    • Loading message on page unload shows up sometimes in browser page history (e.g. view iCAP Portal PDF from About page, then click "back")
    • Michael will put together a spreadsheet of iCAP Clerks for review
    • Homepage has extra padding on right side on mobile
    • SSC project embedding: add category filtering options
    • (long term goal) look into importing information from another source, e.g. SSC students without iCAP Portal access can put together info in a structured format for automatic import into iCAP Portal
    • Look into Collection embedding again, à la Drawdown Solutions Library Sammy had found ("Filter by sector or area of action" section)
    • Metric search/display:
      • Theme (via connected Project, i.e. Theme -> Project -> Metric)
      • Most recent updates as of: (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
      • (Internal only) Last updated before (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
    • (Low Priority) Make column headers click-sortable on Projects by Project Status page
    • Fancy project layout mockups - keep tweaking #3 to improve contrast
    • Discuss metrics
      • Metrics with lots of data
      • Consider how to handle old metrics that no longer track new data. Archive somehow?
      • Fun with math (e.g. combining multiple metrics)
      • Calculated Metrics on Dev site

  17. Meeting with Jen and Morgan - Commuter Program and Emergency Ride Home

    Associated Project(s): 
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike

    Please see attached the meeting notes from our meeting on May 22, 2023. Attended by: Morgan White, Stacey DeLorenzo, Sarthak Prasad, Jennifer Fraterrigo

    Major talking points:

    • Emergency/Guaranteed Ride Home program is like an insurance program
    • Concern - program funding for itself
    • Ride sharing
    • Carpool options
    • Three types of programs:
      • Celebrate those who active mode of transportation
      • Those who relinquish their parking pass (Commuter Program)
      • Emergency Ride Home Program

    Action items for Sarthak:

    • Ask Maria McMullen (Parking) – if there is a carpool permit and how does it work
    • Ask Yanfeng about the Vanpool survey
    • Have other universities done a study or a review of the ERH program
      • Whether there is a desire/demand for ERH now that there are Uber/Lyft and other programs
      • Have they evaluated their program?
      • If not, do a survey on campus
    • talk to Advancements/Corporate Relations about Uber/Lyft (benefits/free)
      • Try and get a phone call with Barlo Levold
    • Fact Sheet for all the different programs that support the car free lifestyle
      • Arent you glad, you dont have a car
      • Maybe work with a student group to make it a little
    • Ask Veo and ZipCar if the participants used their services
    • Ask for feedback from the participants
    • Extend the pilot through to December
    • Ask for feedback in fall
      • Not reopen the enrollment
    • Talk to Parking
    • Ask all parking permit holders if they may be interested in this program
    Attached Files: 

  18. ICAP Recommendation Engagement005 DIA and Green Sports Alliance

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)
    Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) Climate Action Plan

    On April 10, 2023 Jennifer Fraterrigo sen the following email:

    Dear Mr. Whitman and Tim,

    The Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) Working Group (iWG) recently approved recommendation Engagement005 from the Engagement iCAP Team for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics to formally join the Green Sports Alliance. The expectation is that doing so would increase the visibility of campus sustainability efforts and put UIUC on par with fellow Big10 institutions that are integrating sustainability into athletics. Additional details are provided in the attached recommendation.

    The Formal iCAP Procedures include a section on campus unit responsibilities upon receipt of a recommendation, and we respectfully request your response to this recommendation by May 5, if possible. If you have any questions regarding this recommendation, we are happy to jump on a call with you to discuss it.

    Sincerely,

    Jennifer Fraterrigo

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

    On May 2, 2023 Josh Whitman responded:

    Jennifer,

    The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) approves the recommendation to formally join the Green Sports Alliance at the $2,500 Premier Membership level. Assistant Athletic Director Tim Knox will be responsible for coordinating the implementation for DIA.

    Josh

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

    On May 4, 2023 Jennifer forwarded the previous thread to Sarthak:

    Hi Sarthak – one more!

    Please mark this as successful on the portal; response below.

    Thanks,

    Jen

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

    On May 20, 2023 Morgan White responded to Jennifer:

    Hi Jen, Daphne, and Betsy,

    I suggest we invite Tim Knox to a meeting, to see what support he may need from F&S and iSEE in this endeavor.  What do you think?  Or has something like that already happened?

    Thanks,

    Morgan

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

    On May 22, 2023 Betsy Ligget replied with the following email and attached documents:

    This is great news, thank you for sharing! I’m happy to join a meeting with DIA regarding Green Sports Alliance, please let me know when I can assist with the transition. The last annual membership invoice (10-13-22) is attached and is for the Nov. 1st, 2022 - Nov. 30th, 2023 time period.

    I have also attached the 2021 membership letter for everyone’s files.

    Thanks again,

    Betsy

     

    Attached Files: 

  20. iCAP Portal Admin Meeting - May 19, 2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Done:

    • Header: remove "at" between UI and UC
    • SSC project embedding:

    Discussion:

    • Question about a TODO: "Collections page: Add image upload option". At a previous meeting we had this TODO, but what was the context? Was it to have a thumbnail for each Collection? Or a banner image?
    • Should we link to "Take Action" project from homepage?
    • Archiving projects
      • Add "Archived" checkbox?
      • Add "Archived" to Visibility options?
      • Add "Archived" to Project Status options? (probably not - this mixes the status of the project itself with whether we still want it to show up on the site)
      • Remove from nested listings, still publicly available?

    TODO:

    • SSC project embedding: add category filtering options
    • (long term goal) look into importing information from another source, e.g. SSC students without iCAP Portal access can put together info in a structured format for automatic import into iCAP Portal
    • Show "no content" message under Metric Chart when no tracking records exist
    • Look into Collection embedding again, à la Drawdown Solutions Library Sammy had found ("Filter by sector or area of action" section)
    • Metric search/display:
      • Theme (via connected Project, i.e. Theme -> Project -> Metric)
      • Most recent updates as of: (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
      • (Internal only) Last updated before (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
    • (Low Priority) Make column headers click-sortable on Projects by Project Status page
    • Fancy project layout mockups - keep tweaking #3 to improve contrast
    • Discuss metrics
      • Metrics with lots of data
      • Consider how to handle old metrics that no longer track new data. Archive somehow?
      • Fun with math (e.g. combining multiple metrics)
      • Calculated Metrics on Dev site

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