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Projects Updates for theme: Engagement

  1. Archived web info - CSE Energy Research

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Energy

    energy.jpg

    Illinois is the place to learn about energy; whether it’s energy generation or distribution, traditional sources or alternative sources.  Faculty from all across campus are involved in energy research.

    Power & Engineering Systems
    CABER – Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research
    EBI - Energy Biosciences Institute
    SEDAC – Smart Energy Design Assistance Center
    Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center

     

    Attached Files: 

  2. Archived web info - CSE Water Research

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Water

    Water.jpg

    Illinois is home to many experts who research the myriad of issues surrounding water.  There are several centers or programs on campus that contribute innovative solutions.


    * Illinois Water Resource Center

    * Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program

    * Water CAMPWS

    * Long Term Recovery Council

    * Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering

    * Illinois State Water Survey 

    * National Great Rivers Research and Education Center

    Illinois Water Science Center 

    The Midwest Technology Assistance Center for Small Public Water Systems

    Center for Chemistry and Technology

    Center for Groundwater Science

    Center for Water as a Complex Environmental System (CWACES)

    Center for Watershed Science

  3. Archived web info - CSE Food Research

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Food

    The University of Illinois has a distinguished history of research related to food.  The links below will introduce you to the breadth of our food research.  Whether you are interested in food production or distribution, safety or nutrition, Illinois is working to solve the toughest problems.  In addition, we have included some links for sources of local foods and growing your own food.

    A few of the programs that you might be interested in are the Illinois MarketMaker, and the University of Illinois Student Farm.

    Want to find sources of local food? Try the Champaign Farmers Market, the Common Ground Food Co-op, and the Urbana Farmers Market. Or maybe you want to try your green thumb at growing your own food? If so,University of Illinois Extension has lots of resources to help get you started.

     

    Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition
    Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture Program ASAP
    Department of Agriculture & Consumer Economics
    Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering
    Department of Animal Sciences
    Department of Crop Sciences 
    Department of Human and Community Development
    Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
    Crop Sciences Research and Education 
    Illinois SARE 
    Illinois SARE Calendar

  4. Archived web info - CSE Research

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    In 2009, the University of Illinois completed an extensive visioning process that included input from a diverse set of stakeholders. The resulting document points to Grand Challenges that we will continually address through our sustainability efforts.  Devoted to the following goals, Illinois will become a world leader in creating new knowledge and innovative solutions.

    Grand Challenge 1:
    Maintain or restore natural ecosystem function while providing essential human services. 

    Grand Challenge 2:
    To sustainably raise the quality of life for the world’s poor to acceptable levels. 

    Unique Strengths of Illinois
    During the visioning process, we saw more clearly our unique position as a campus that has strengths in water programs, agriculture, engineering, business, and information technology, to name a few.  A focus on the food/water/energy nexus emerged from this recognition, along with interest by our campus and community in working at the interface of these issues.

    Center for the Advancement of Sustainability Innovations, U.S. Army
    The CSE is tasked with expanding the strategic partnership between Illinois and the military around sustainability topics and research initiatives of mutual interest. The basis for the partnership was formalized in 2009 via a MOU with the Center for the Advancement of Sustainability Innovations (CASI) in the Office and the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), and University of Illinois, Board of Trustees via the CSE. The CSE and ERDC-CASI have pursued several areas of collaboration including the Sustainable Innovations seminar series.

  5. Archived web info - CSE Education page

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Sustainability education is thriving across many disciplines at Illinois.  Through the efforts of the education task force, the Office of Sustainability provides information on sustainability coursework for both undergraduate and graduate students.  

    The Office of the Provost, and the Center for Teaching Excellence assisted in providing the second offering of the Prairie Project workshop,  which helps instructors integrate sustainability into their courses.  The resource pages for faculty include information that was either distributed or collected as a result of participation in the Prairie Project.  

    We hope you find these resources helpful.

  6. Archived web info - CSE Resources List

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

     

     

  7. Archived web info - CSE Campus and Community Resources

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Campus and Community Resources

    male wearing bike helmet

    The daily decisions that you make about how to travel, what to eat and drink, whether or not to recycle your trash, what to wear, and a myriad of other decisions all have an impact on the health of our planet. Wondering how your daily decisions could possibly affect the planet? After all, you are just one of 6.8 billion other people living on the planet. And that’s the point. The collective decisions of 6.8 billion people, whatever those decisions may be, will determine if we have enough resources to sustain the health and well-being of ourselves, future generations, and the other living creatures that share the Earth with us.

    The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the surrounding communities have a lot to be proud of when it comes to sustainability. The resources listed in this section are just a sample of what our campus and community has to offer. To get you started, University of Illinois Extension has developed 57 Ways To Protect Your Home Environment.

    For a list of academic, campus, community and research groups, please click here.

  8. Archived web info - CSE ACUPCC Pledge

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) Pledge

    On February 22, 2008, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign became a signatory to the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). We are currently one of more than six-hundred Colleges and Universities that are participating in this endeavor (see the University's official commitment pledge here (download as pdf).

    As concern grows about global warming and the potential effects on health, social, economic, and ecological well-being of our world, the University is a prime place to be at the forefront of battling the negative impacts associated with climate change. The University of Illinois hosts high-caliber research and experts in diverse field across campus and seeks to become a model for not only the State of Illinois, but to become a leader in these efforts nationally and globally.

    The ultimate goal of the ACUPCC is for campuses to go "climate neutral". During the first year of this commitment, a greenhouse gas emissions inventory was conducted and submitted to the ACUPCC.

    Illinois submitted its Climate Action Plan in May 2010.  This plan sets aggressive goals for reaching carbon neutrality.  Facilities & Services is making great progress on the operational aspects of the plan, and the Office of Sustainability is working to connect educators and researchers to many projects associated with the plan.  Moving forward, Illinois will be required to submit updated greenhouse gas emissions inventories (2012) and progress reports(2013) on alternating years.  As reports become available, they will be shared with the public, both in this space as well as on the ACUPCC's website.

    Attached Files: 

  9. Archived web info - CSE Campus Sustainability Compact

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact

    Compact%20Signing.jpg

    On Friday, August 27, 2010, University of Illinois former President Michael Hogan and former UIUC Chancellor and current President Robert Easter joined Governor Pat Quinn in signing the second Sustainable Campus Compact (pdf) as part of the fifth annual Sustainable University Symposium. The University is the first institution to sign on to the new five-year compact that commits us to continue energy and environmental improvements.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Archived web info - CSE Rankings and Reports

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Rankings and Reports

    Rankingsandreports.jpg

    The Office of Sustainability is responsible for coordinating the campus response to a variety of organizations related to sustainability efforts.

    ACUPCC

    As signatories to the ACUPCC and the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is required to submit data regarding its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and efforts to reduce them.  The ACUPCC requires an emissions inventory within one year of signing, and a comprehensive action plan for reduction within two years of signing.  Illinois is in good standing with the ACUPCC.  

    Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact

    The Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact was revised during academic year 2010-2011, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was the first to sign the new compact and pledged at the Gold Level. Information required for the compact includes actions such as fostering student involvement, green building, waste reduction, new initiatives.

    Voluntary Surveys

    The University of Illinois also voluntarily submits data to the following surveys – the Sierra Club Cool Schools survey, the Sustainable Endowment Institute Green Report Card Survey, the Princeton Review and Petersons.  Among our Big Ten peers, Illinois consistently ranks in the upper percentile.

    As more rankings from reports are released, we will share that information here.


    Illinois second among Big Ten in Princeton Review - 8/10/10

    Each year the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign participates in a survey distributed by the Princeton Review.  The Green Campus portion of the survey awards scores based on items such as: sustainability education and research, LEED certified buildings and other sustainable operations practices, transportation options, local foods in dining halls, and student involvement in sustainability initiatives. Illinois’ score is improved over last year from 92 to 95, placing us second among Big Ten Universities. To view Illinois’ green survey responses to the Princeton Review, please visit Princeton Review.


    Comparison to Big Ten Schools:

    Ohio State University

    96

    University of Illinois

    95

    University of Minnesota

    94

    University of Iowa

    89

    Pennylvania State University

    89

    Michigan State University

    89

    University of Michigan

    84

    Purdue University

    81

    Northwestern University

    79

    University of Wisconsin

    *60

    Indiana University

    *60

    * = no participation

     



    Big Ten Sustainability Report

    This document provides a comparison of Big Ten conference schools by documenting initiatives, progress, and results in the following categories: administration, infrastructure, energy use, transportation, recycling, and food. This is the first report compiling these facets to view the difficulties and potential solutions to achieve sustainability in large research-based institutions. This report was prepared by students at the University of Michigan. 
    Click here to download the full report.
     

  11. Archived web info - CSE Task Forces

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Sustainability Task Forces

    As a result of the Office of Sustainability’s 2008-2009 visioning process, implementation of programs that fulfill this vision became the focus for the Office of Sustainability.  To aid in the development of an implementation plan, three task forces were created that represented a diverse group of stakeholders.  Members of the task forces included faculty, students, staff and community members with expertise in a variety of disciplines.  

    Forum Task Force

    The Forum Task Force was charged to create a new forum for in-depth, cross-disciplinary engagement on the sustainability grand challenges.  The product of their work is a recurring offering of the Scholarship of Sustainability Series.  This Series began in the Spring of 2010 and is offered each spring. The Series is open to faculty, staff, students and the community at large. The Series provides an in-depth examination of sustainability issues, with readings and video available on-line.

    Operations Task Force

    The Operations Task force was charged to create and implement a sustainable campus operations plan.  The committee’s efforts resulted in a comprehensive climate action plan that provides a path toward carbon neutrality by 2050.  The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was the first Big Ten University to submit a climate action plan to the ACUPCC.

    Education Task Force

    The Education Task Force was charged to infiltrate sustainable thinking into campus missions through new education activities.  The Sustainability Education Task Force (SETF) created sustainability education outcomes to serve as a useful resource for enhancing campus course and program offerings related to sustainability. The SETF has also inventoried existing course and program offerings to publish as a guide and identified gaps that can be filled through partnerships with academic departments.

     

    2010-2011 Sustainability Task Force Members

    Education Task Force - Hide Names and Affiliations

    Name

    Affiliation

    Bill Stewart, co-chair

    Professor, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism

    Madhu Viswanathan, co-chair

    Professor of Business Administration

    John Abelson

    Professor, Materials Science & Engineering

    Val Beasley

    Professor, Veterinary Biosciences

    Ann Bishop

    Associate Professor, Library & Information Science

    Meg Edwards

    Advising Coordinator, Library & Information Science

    Tony Endress

    Professor, Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences

    Ralph Hammann

    Associate Professor, Architecture

    Praveen Kumar

    Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering

    Vidar Lerum

    Associate Professor, Architecture

    Brenda Lindsey

    BSW Program Director, Clinical Associate Professor

    Steve Marshak

    Professor, Geology

    George Reese

    Director, Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education

    Patrick Vargas

    Associate Professor, Advertising

    Gillen Wood

    Professor, English

    Barbara Minsker, ex-officio

    Associate Provost Fellow and Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering

    Mary-Ann Winkelmes, ex-officio

    Administrative Provost Fellow, Campus Coordinator for Progams on Teaching and Learning

    Forum Task Force - Hide Names and Affiliations

    Name

    Affiliation

    Robery McKim, co-chair

    Head, Department of Religion

    Michelle Wander, co-chair

    Associate Professor, Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences

    Brian Anderson

    Director, Illinois State Natural History Survey

    Val Beasley

    Professor, Veterinary Biosciences

    Jeff Brawn

    Professor and Department Head, Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences

    Gary Cziko

    Professor Emeritus, Educational Psychology

    Bryan Endres

    Assistant Professor, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

    Ingbert Floyd

    Student, Graduate School of Library and Information Science

    Eric Freyfogle

    Max L. Rowe Professor, School of Law

    Mike Gray

    Professor, Crop Sciences

    Bruce Hannon

    Professor, Geography

    Anthony Larson

    Student, Environmental Economics and Policy

    Peter Maraccini

    Student, Mechanical Science and Engineering

    Greg McIsaac

    Assistant Professor, Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences

    Gary Miller

    Associate Executive Director, Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability

    Jesse Ribot

    Associate Professor, Geography

    Kathleen Robbins

     

    Mike Royse

    President, One Main

    Michael Scoville

     

    Mark Shannon

    Professor, Mechanical Science and Engineering

    Kate Williams

    Assistant Professor, Library & Information Science

    Barbara Minsker, ex-officio

    Associate Provost Fellow and Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering

    Operations Task Force - Hide Names and Affiliations

     

    Operations Task Force

    Name

    Affiliation

    Brian Deal, co-chair

    Assistant Professor, Urban & Regional Planning

    Carl Wegel, co-chair

    Director of Maintenance, Facilities and Services

    Amy Allen

    Student, Civil and Environmental Engineering

    Dawn Aubrey

    Senior Assistant Director, Housing and Dining Service

    Robbie Boyer

     

    Sam Chakravorty

    GIS Specialist, Illinois State Water Survey

    Gary Cziko

    Professor Emeritus, Educational Psychology

    Tony Endress

    Professor, Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences

    Gale Fulton

    Assistant Professor, Landscape Architecture

    Guy Grant

    Management Engineer, Facilities and Services

    Erin Harper

    Student, Mechanical Science and Engineering

    Eric Holthaus

    Student, Urban & Regional Planning

    Cynthia Hoyle

    AICP, Transportation Planning Consultant, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District

    Morgan Johnston

    Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, Facilities and Services

    Vonne Ortiz

    Assistant Director of Housing, Facility Operations, Housing Division

    Matt Rundquist

    Student, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

    Marya Ryan

    Director of I-Card Programs, Office of Business and Financial Services

    Art Schmidt

    Research Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

    Bill Stewart

    Professor, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism

    Charlie Werth

    Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

    Stephanie Lage, ex-officio

    Assistant to the Director, Office of Sustainability

     

  12. Archived web info - CSE Sustainability Council page

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Sustainability Council Members

    The Sustainability Council was put in place in 2008 to help lead sustainability efforts at the University of Illinois. The Council is comprised of campus leaders and student and faculty representatives. It provides strategic direction and oversight of the campus sustainability initiative.

    2012-2013 Sustainability Council Members

    Name

    Affiliation

    Phyllis Wise, Chair

    Vice President and Chancellor

    Peter Schiffer

    Vice Chancellor for Research

    Renee Romano

    Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

    Dan Peterson

    Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement

    Ilesanmi Adesida

    Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost

    Ruth Watkins

    Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

    Barbara Minsker

    Associate Provost Fellow and Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering

    William Shilts

    Executive Director, Prairie Research Institute

    Marika Nell

    Student Sustainability Committee

    Kevin Wolz

    Student Sustainability Committee

    Pradeep Khanna

    Associate Chancellor and Acting Director, Center for a Sustainable Environment

    Jack Dempsey

    Executive Director, Facilities and Services

    Stephanie Lage

    Assistant Director, Center for a Sustainable Environment

     

  13. Archived web info - ECI Change in the Heartland

    Associated Project(s): 
    Environmental Change Institute [ARCHIVED]

    Change and the Heartland curriculum
    Change and the Heartland is a publication of the Environmental Change Institute and the Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Program that seeks to bring the complex science of Climate Change challenges and address it in a understandable and yet meaningful manner. During the summer of 2012, a group of nine faculty from community colleges and higher educational institutions came together to develop student activities based on the 16 articles of the Change publication. The group completed a number of student activities in problem based learning style and a general course outline for an entry level course on climate change, using the Change publication as a primary resource.


    Change and the Heartland Issues:

    Issue 1:1 (PDF)
    How Will All That Extra CO2 Affect Crops?

    Issue 1:2 (PDF)
    How Will Climate Change Affect Birds?

    Issue 1:3 (PDF)
    Can Our Wildlife Shift Along with the Climate?

    Issue 1:4 (PDF)
    Can Tall Grass Miscanthus Replace Coal?

    Issue 1:5 (PDF)
    Will Urban Planning Change with the Climate?

    Issue 1:6 (PDF)
    Will Climate Change Affect Food Production?

    Issue 1:7 (PDF)
    How Will Cap-and-Trade Affect Firms and Farms?

    Issue 1:8 (PDF)
    Are Wild Bee Pollinator Populations Declining?

    Issue 1:9 (PDF)
    Ethanol or Gas: Which is Best for the Climate?

    Issue 1:10 (PDF)
    Can Conventional Farming Dequester Carbon?

    Issue 1:11 (PDF)
    What is the Future of Electricity in the U.S.?

    Issue 1:12 (PDF)
    Should the Free Market Manage Public Lands?

    Issue 1:13 (PDF)
    Will Climate Change Affect American Security?

    Issue 1:14 (PDF)
    What Will Happen to Fish and Aquatic Wildlife?

    Issue 1:15 (PDF)
    Can We Keep Soils Covered as Climate Changes?

    Issue 1:16 (PDF)
    What will Climate be like in 2050?

     

  14. Archived web info - ECI Energy Dashboard

    Associated Project(s): 
    Environmental Change Institute [ARCHIVED]
    Energy Dashboard Project

    Independent Projects

    Illini Energy Dashboard
    The Illini Energy Dashboard provides clearly visible understandable information data and information to students and staff of selected University buildings describing energy consumption rate (electrical, chilled water and steam) so that users can make educated choices about the way they can affect energy consumption and conservation.What is Displayed? The gauges on the each building page displays real-time energy use data by building for heating, cooling and electricity.

  15. Archived web info - ECI Symposium

    Associated Project(s): 
    Environmental Change Institute [ARCHIVED]

    ECI Annual Symposium

    2009 Symposium (PDF)
    On December 4, 2009, the first of the ECI Symposiums set the stage for short, interesting summaries of funded research, course developments and outreach initiatives. 

    2010 Symposium (PDF)
    On November 8, 2010, the second Symposium gave the University community a chance to see new and developing work form researchers and students in the areas of environment, climate change, and sustainability. 

    2011 Symposium (PDF)
    On December 7, 2011, ECI's third and final Symposium was an opportunity to celebrate and highlight our Fellows and their contributions to the work in environmental change and funded research and educational projects.

    Attached Files: 

  16. Archived web info - ECI Summits

    Associated Project(s): 
    Environmental Change Institute [ARCHIVED]

    Summit Summaries

    The Environmental Change Institute developed and implemented two Summits, Cap and Trade andAgricultural Solutions: Adaption & Mitigati0n. The goal of each was to reach out to academic, business and governmental agencies and begin a dialogue that would promote change in the areas of environmental sustainability. 

    Cap and Trade 2009
    ECI sponsored the first Summit on the topic of Cap and trade policies in Chicago, Illinois on May 28, 2009 (PDF) to explore the foundations of a sound cap and trade policy. Enlivened by a multi-disciplinary team of speakers, this cap and trade summit began a lively dialogue among leaders in business, science and policy. 

    Climate Change 2010
    Second Annual Environmental Change Institute Summit:
    Climate Change: Agricultural Solutions, Adaptation & Mitigation

     

    Attached Files: 

  17. Archived web info - ECI Publications

    Associated Project(s): 
    Environmental Change Institute [ARCHIVED]

    Publications

    The Environmental Change Institute was focused on not only thinking about the challenging environmental problems, but also enabling changes to occur from that new knowledge. Through a generous gift from the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund and additional funds from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; the College of Business; and the College of Law, ECI was able to fund dozens of initiatives on the Illinois campus, at community colleges and in the Heartland.

    Attached Files: 

  18. Archived web info - ECI Courses and Programs

    Associated Project(s): 
    Environmental Change Institute [ARCHIVED]


    Courses & Programs

    During the first year of operation Environmental Change Institute awarded $25,000 for the development of new courses related to one of the domains established by the ECI. The following is a listing of courses and course instructors. Follow the link to view the course syllabi.

    • Development of a Renewable Energy Law Course (funded 2009) Instructor: Dr. Jay Kesan, Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Economics and Business Administration. Co-Instructor: Dr. Bryan Endress, ACE. Syllabus (PDF)
    • Global Warming, Biofuels and Food; Plants and Global Change Instructor: Dr. Andrew Leakey, Department of Plant Biology and Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB). Co-Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Ainsworth, Department of Plant Biology and IGB. Syllabus (PDF)
    • Climate and Social Vulnerability: Concepts and Policy Approaches Instructor: Dr. Jesse Ribot, Beckman Institute. Syllabus (PDF)
    • Environmental Sustainability – A Global Perspective Instructor: Dr. William Sullivan, Department of Landscape Architecture.Syllabus (PDF)
    • Design and Evaluation of Green Roof Systems at the University of Illinois Instructor: Dr. David Kovacic, Department of Landscape Architecture
    • LINC Bike Sharing (funded 2010) Instructor: Dr. Bruce Litchfield, Engineering Administration


    Landscapes, Sustainability, & Human Health Instructor: Dr. Bill Sullivan, Landscape Architecture

     

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