You are here

Projects Updates for key objective: No name

  1. "Recycling 101: Start With Reduce, Reuse" -iSEE Newsletter

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Increase Recycling Rates

    The following passage is taken from an iSEE February Newsletter (the newsletter is attached below).

     

    Recycling 101: Start With Reduce, Reuse 

    Did you know less than 10 percent of plastic is recycled each year? Or that cardboard contaminated with grease or food can't be recycled? In "Recycling 101," iSEE intern Maria Maring outlines what can and can't be recycled on campus, recycling rules and resources in Champaign-Urbana, and tips from sustainability experts about what you can do to recycle effectively and keep waste out of the landfill. Most important: Remember that recycling is just one of the "three Rs," and that "reuse" and "reduce" are just as important in shrinking your environmental footprint!

     

     

    Attached Files: 

  3. Weekly Update: Build-a-bike, Uni High Agora Days class

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Support Youth Sustainability

    All, Picked up 4 – 5 bikes from Urbana last week which were promptly claimed as B-a-Bs or tagged for shop builds. This week we have our Uni High Agora Days class coming in Tues – Fri. This will reduce our open hours on Wed/Fri to 4 – 6p.

    I’ll be picking up 5 bikes from Champaign Cycle on Tuesday afternoon, too. That should get us towards a good number of bikes on hand.

    The numbers:

    visitors: 10
    Sales: $324
    Bike (refurb): 1 for $180
    Memberships: 3 for $90

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  7. ABE469 Student Support on iCAP Objective 3.5 - Local Carbon Offset Program

    Associated Project(s): 
    Develop Local Carbon Offset Program [ARCHIVED]

    Meredith Moore and Stacy Gloss are working with ABE469 - Capstone students in the spring 2022 semester.

    Students will obtain (be provided) green house gas emission data for this consulting project such as: .

    • Urbana GHG Air  Emissions
    • U of I GHG  Emissions
    • U of I GHG Air-Travel Emissions
    • **maybe** Champaign Emissions

    For purposes of this project, the U of I client is aiming to eliminate emissions for air travel by FY30.  This project is aimed to offset emissions by 30,000 tons per year by FY 30, related to iCAP objective 3.5. 

    The client should research the Illinois Climate Action Plan carbon reduction goals related to unavoidable air-travel.  The client would like for the consultants to analyze technologies appropriate for campus and our surrounding community; and make recommendations based on this analysis. 

    Technologies that may reduce carbon, or offset carbon on the local scale are listed below.  

    • -solar pv
    • -green roof + roof top solar
    • -solar water heating
    • -geothermal heating
    • -prairie restoration
    • -tree planting
    • -waste to energy from campus farms
    • -compost to energy
    • -water-saving measures (on the heating side reducing fossil fuel use)
    • -cold-climate air-source heat pumps for residential homes
    • -replacement of gas/diesel vehicle with electric vehicles for campus fleet
    • -deep energy retrofits – air sealing & insulation
    • -small wind turbines

    The consulting team should evaluate the scope and project size for technology adoption. Including the anticipated GHGs avoided or offset with project adoption.  What is the cost of installation, including labor costs?  Provide data about cost effectiveness, with breakdown on cost of project per pound or tonne of GHG emissions saved. The projects should be ranked with most cost effective to least effective.  Your research, analysis, and recommendations will be presented by the client to the iSEE Resilience Team and other campus stakeholders to inform a local carbon offset program.

     

  10. Transportation iCAP Team January Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Decrease Emissions from UI Fleet
    Encourage Ride-Sharing
    Electric Vehicle (EV) Task Force
    Reduce Emissions from Business Travel

    The Transportation iCAP team met on Thursday, January 27th from 4:00-5:00 P.M. The team discussed progress on the EV Task Force Member Recommendation, the fleet replacement plan recommendation, and two returned recommendations: the Carbon Credit program and the Carpool Survey.

    The team has decided to do further research into what a carpool system would look like at the U of I, and will discuss the matter further with insight from other schools at the next meeting. Progress will hopefully be made on the Fleet Replacement Plan Recommendation, as the team will be meeting with Pete Varney in the Parking Department soon.

     

    Further Information can be found in the attached document.

    Attached Files: 

  11. Zero Waste iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Large-Scale Food Waste Composting

    The Zero Waste iCAP Team met on Thursday, January 27 to finalize the recommendations drafted at the end of last semester, the Water Drinking Behavior Survey and the Water Filter System Tracking. The team also discussed several recommendations they intend to pursue this semester, including: Adopt-a-Highway program, Food Literacy Project, Composting Committee, P Card Training and Sustainable Receipt options. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  12. Energy iCAP Team January Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Energy Dashboard Project
    Building Envelope Pilot Project
    Explore Options for 100 Percent Clean Campus Energy

    The Energy iCAP team met at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 26th and discussed updates on recommendation ideas as well as agreed to move forward with the submission of two recommendations to the iCAP Working Group. Progress is currently being made on a feasibility study of CO2 District Heating and Cooling which will be undertaken by a group of engineering students during the Spring Semester, and progress on a new recommendation for Building Envelope Commissioning will take place.

    The Team also agreed to move forward with a recommendation that the Office of the Chancellor commission a report on the Safety and Security of a proposed MMR Nuclear Reactor on campus property as well as another recommendation that would seek to charge Facilities & Services with developing a comprehensive energy plan that will bring the University to net-zero emissions by 2050.

    Further Details on the meeting can be found in the attached agenda which also contains meeting minutes.

    Attached Files: 

  13. Visualization of the impact of CIF geothermal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal at the Campus Instructional Facility (CIF)
    Energy Dashboard Project

    “In summary, there will be 2 slides taking turns to be displayed on the digital screen in CIF. The first slide is primarily composed of the 3D GSHP system schematic (Ground loops, heat pump and building) and the key parameters & features. The second slide shows the results from building energy modeling, including annual outdoor temperature variations, heating/cooing loads and other energy consumptions. This may [help] visualize the impact of CIF geothermal and give public a better understanding on the renewable resources.”

    -John Zhao (11/14/2022)

    PhD. Candidate

    Research Assistant

    Agricultural & Biological Engineering

    Research field: Ground Source HVAC System/Subsurface Heat Transfer

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Attached Files: 

  14. New Greener Campus Programs Certifications

    Associated Project(s): 
    Certified Green Event Program
    Certified Greener Campus Programs
    Certified Green Office Program (CGOP)

    Congratulations to the newest recipients of our Green Office and Green Event Certifications! 

    Green Office Gold Certification:

    Visit Champaign County-Certified January 2022 (with notably 38 sustainable actions pursued!)

     

    Green Event Certifications:

    University Housing Gender Inclusivity Training-Certified January 2022

    Campus Recreation/Instructional Kitchen Winter Virtual Canned Food Drive-Certified January 2022

    CU at Home One Winter Night-Certified January 2022

      Thank you to each of our participants, keep up the great work!

  15. The Landscape Recycling Center tests for...

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Reduce Foodwaste
    Large-Scale Food Waste Composting

    The Landscape Recycling Center tests for temperature, oxygen, and moisture monthly.  They test for ph, metals, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and infectious bacteria in finished compost product annually.  As food scrap makes its way through the process and we continue to test the final product, we will be able to observe any changes to these parameters.

     

  18. Transaction Receipt for Community Education at Parkland College

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure

    From: Community Education at Parkland College <communityeducation@parkland.edu>
    Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 12:46 PM
    To: Moore, Meredith Kaye <mkm0078 at illinois.edu>
    Subject: Transaction Receipt for Community Education at Parkland College

     

    Transaction Receipt
    Community Education at Parkland College

    1315 North Mattis Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821
    Phone: 217-351-2235 Email: communityeducation@parkland.edu

     

    		    

    Transaction Date

    01/19/2022  

    Transaction ID

    24739

     

    		    

     

    		    

    Registration ID
    Course/Class Number
    Student Name (ID)



    Class Name/Date(s)/Time/Item  



    Amount

    31700
    WBT-906 /12889
    Moore, Meredith (28667)

    National Green Infrastructure Certification Program ONLINE
    Multiple Schedule

    Schedule Information:

    Dates

    Class Days

    Times

    Location

    Instructor(s)

    2/15/2022-3/11/2022

    Weekly - Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon

    12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

    *, Virtual Classroom  , Room: CobraLearning

     Instructor : Multiple Instructor :
     3.Heidi Leuszler  1.Carolyn (Eliana) Brown 

     

    2/17/2022-3/10/2022

    Weekly - Thu

    11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

    *, Virtual Classroom  , Room: CobraLearning

     Instructor : Multiple Instructor :
     4.Heidi Leuszler  2.Carolyn (Eliana) Brown 

     
    		 
     

    Class Cost

    $399.00

     

    Early Registration Disc Discount

    ($100.00)

    Transaction Amount

    		 

    $299.00

    Payment Method

    Credit card Mastercard No. xxxxxxxxxxxx6852
    (Ref: 108473)

    $299.00

         

    Tax ID #

    37-0892090

      

  19. Spring 2022 Semester Goals

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)
    Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)
    Earth Month
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Fossil Fuels Divestment - Support Letter
    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

    Co-presidents Owen Jennings, Maiah Caise, Jack Reicherts, and Maria Maring are excited to embark upon their second semester as SSLC leadership together. The primary goals of the semester include: 

     

    • Bolster collaboration between environmental RSOs on UIUC campus. The SSLC hopes to work with Student Affairs to incentivize participation with the SSLC, using the University of California Berkely’s Student Environmental Resource Center (SERC) as a template. Weekly board meetings and monthly full meetings will continue per usual.

    • Bolster collaboration between other Illinois schools like University of Illinois Chicago, University of Illinois Springfield, and Illinois State University. Both SECS and ISG may play significant roles in this relationship-building. The SSLC has already been in contact with Illinois State.

    • Host Earth Month events. The SSLC already began communication with the Illini Union Green Team last semester to begin planning events like Green Quad Day and a movie night on the Quad. Organizations like SECS, Red Bison, and iSEE that have been historically active in Earth Month events will be essential in these processes. 

    • Write SSLC bylaws. The Council has not previously had bylaws, and they are absolutely essential to moving forward in an organized and successful fashion. 

    • Continue to monitor the fight for divestment from fossil fuels. This iCAP Objective has caused copious political strife between students and administrators. Because divestment continues to be a hot topic, the SSLC will continue to listen to student concerns. 

     

  20. Fall 2021 Semester Summary

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)
    Bevier Café Herb Garden
    Bevier Café’s - Aquaponics System Demonstration Unit
    Sustainable Student Farm
    Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Fossil Fuels Divestment - Support Letter
    Campus Sustainability Month
    Sustainability Council

    The SSLC underwent many changes under the new leadership of co-presidents Owen Jennings, Maiah Caise, Jack Reicherts, and Maria Maring. The board experimented with the mission and niche of the SSLC, ultimately establishing that the organization shall act as a medium of communication between student groups and the administration. The organization will also be the primary host of the annual Student Sustainability Summit in October, touting – among other interdisciplinary events – Green Quad Day, Sustainable Student Research Symposium, and Tuesday Talks at Bevier Cafe. 

     

    This Summit was the Council’s most noteworthy accomplishment this semester. The SSLC collaborated with: Red Bison, Outdoor Adventure Club, the Department of Agriculture and Biological Engineering, the Sustainable Student Farm, the Pilot Processing Plant, Grand Prairie Friends, the F&S Solar House, Stop Line 3 CU, Students for Environmental Concerns, Prairie Rivers Network, and the Student Sustainability Committee. This myriad of events had varying levels of attendance. The SSLC leadership learned two primary lessons from the inaugural Student Sustainability Summit: first, quality over quantity in terms of events; and second, planning well ahead of time is absolutely essential in order to adequately advertise each event. If you attended or co-hosted any Summit event, and you would like to let the SSLC board know your feedback, please fill out this form. The current SSLC leadership looks forward to how future leadership will expand upon the Summit. 

     

    Another noteworthy accomplishment of the SSLC this semester was action following the publication of the Campus Admin Manual’s Expressive Activity Policy draft. Students were largely emotional about the policy’s stringent punishment for demonstrations on campus, so the SSLC – in conjunction with SECs and the SSC – wrote a letter to Chancellor Jones demanding that the policy more closely align with the student body’s needs. As of January 2022, the SSLC has received no reply from the Office of the Chancellor.  

     

    Co-presidents Maria Maring and Owen Jennings spoke at the Campus Sustainability Celebration and Sustainability Council meeting, respectively, on the topic of divestment. Though SSLC leadership was merely prompted to give basic updates at these meetings, they utilized the face-to-face opportunity with campus administrators to voice student concerns about completing iCAP Objective 9.1: Fully divest from fossil fuel companies by FY25. 

     

    In a first, the SSLC and general members participated in the Homecoming Parade. Roughly a dozen students marched with divestment-related signs. The SSLC hopes to expand Homecoming attendance next year. 

     

    The SSLC revived its dormant Facebook account (@sslcuiuc) and newly established an Instagram account (@uiuc_sslc). On the latter, the SSLC made 40 posts and gained 227 followers. The Facebook account has 93 followers; engagement on this platform is much less. The SSLC also made a linktree and a Google calendar to which other RSOs can sync. That way, all events from all different orgs are all conveniently on one calendar. This joint calendar is still undergoing troubleshooting, and it is not yet available for public viewing. 

     

    Amidst these new endeavors, the SSLC held full membership meetings roughly once a month, as did the previous leadership. One recurring issue was lack of attendance and engagement. Leadership held many conversations with both general members and staff advisors about how to increase the efficacy of the Council, but no good solution was found. The SSLC will continue to hold these monthly meetings and brainstorm about how to increase engagement throughout the upcoming spring semester. 

     

    The SSLC board met weekly. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact the Council at sslc-chair@mx-illinois.edu. 

Pages