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Projects Updates for theme: Education

  1. Weekly capstone meetings: Meeting from 3/29 and 4/5

    Associated Project(s): 
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    Meeting from 4/5/2023

    Summary: Ethan and Sarthak met via zoom where they discussed the work on the plan that Ethan has done so far. They also discussed the thorough plan for the next year to describe to the stakeholders, in regard to their involvement with the 2024 plan. Ethan is expected to respond to stakeholders by next week, add onto the plan (mainly the executive summary, goals & objectives, introduction, and planning process sections). Ethan will send Sarthak separate emails about his Urban Planning presentation on their work for school, and request for GIS information.

    Meeting from 3/29/2023

    Summary: Ethan and Sarthak met briefly via zoom (Ethan was out of town dealing with a family emergency so there was not much to discuss). Ethan is expected to make a Google Sheet with stakeholders' information and responses, a sheet of timeline for the planning process, and a document for the 2024 plan.

    Attached Files: 

  2. Sustainability in RA training

    Associated Project(s): 
    Educate Future Leaders
    Broaden Sustainability Education

    Hi Tony,

     

    I met with folks from Housing yesterday about incorporating sustainability into RA training. Eric and Daphne were also on the call. We identified a few approaches for sharing content. I now need your help developing the materials.

     

    One approach is to provide a short (3 min max) video for RAs to view, followed by questions to assess learning. As a framework, I suggest we use the sustainability guide that the interns developed with Meredith (attached). Do you have any video content that would be appropriate? The student training video is too long, but hits all the highlights. Is this something you could shorten? We need to send the video by mid/late June.

     

    A second approach is to provide content for a microlearning session that would pair with the facilities session. They prefer a mixed mode approach, i.e., not just lecture/slides. We need to provide the content within the next two weeks. Is this doable? I shared the sustainability guide with them and am awaiting feedback.

     

    A third approach is to distribute materials during the RA resource fair, which is held August 10th.

     

    Finally, Housing is open to sharing information via their “Housing Insider” newsletter and digital platforms. It would be great to have your help developing content for those.  

     

    Let me know what you think and we can also touch base at the management meeting today.

     

    Thanks,

    Jen

    Attached Files: 

  3. Water Bottle Filling Info

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics
    ENG 177 GFX Global Sustainability Scholars

    Hi Jen,

    CC’ed is the team of ENG 177 students who are working on the survey for water bottle filling stations. Can you send them the map of locations?

     

    Also, do you happen to know who they might reach out to at F&S to get a quote on installation costs, or do you have that information?

     

    Thanks,

    Eric Green

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

    Hi Eric and ENG 177 students!

     

    I attached the most up-to-date map of bottle filling stations. I also attached a spreadsheet with the inventory for campus buildings, including residence halls, which have not yet been included in the map.

     

    The cost of replacing an existing fixture with a new water cooler with a bottle filler is around $2,400. An install that requires additional plumbing will cost around $7,500.

     

    Let me know if you need anything else or have any questions. I hope you will be able to determine student preference for bottle filler stations versus fountains with spigots, and provide recommendations about where to place them.

     

    Thanks, 

    Jen

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

    Hi all,

     

    As I mentioned previously, the main goal is to determine student preferences for bottle filler stations versus fountains with spigots, and provide recommendations about where to place filler stations. Students living in residence halls are an important target population for understanding preferences because survey data indicate that first- and second-year students consume more bottled water and believe that there are not enough convenient places to refill reusable bottles on campus.  

     

    Thanks and let me know if you have any questions.

     

    Jennifer Fraterrigo

  4. Weekly capstone meetings: Meeting from 3/1, 3/10, and 3/22

    Associated Project(s): 
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    Meeting notes from 3/22:

    • LRTP 2045 review it
    • They are starting work on 2050
    • Subject line for email: Name of Person/Organization
    • Expect 5-7 meetings (Landscape Architects, SPO, Transportation iCAP team, SSC, maybe League of American Bicyclists, Champaign County Bikes, RPC)
    • The rest will be communicated with through emails and/or CTAC
    • April 27th, morning meeting with CTAC
    • Start document for 2024 Campus Master Bicycle Plan (start outlining sections i.e introductions, executive summary, etc.). Use the 2014 plan as a template. 
    • In April we will start filling some of the information on the 2024 plan (Introduction, Planning Process).
    • In April will present to Bumsoo Lee and DURP to show progress

    Meeting from 3/10:

    Sarthak and Ethan met via zoom to discuss plans for the rest of the semester. Ethan is to finalize the email template which they will begin sending out after Spring break (last two weeks of March). Ethan is also to finish readings mentioned by Stacey by the next meeting in two weeks. 

    Notes: 

    • Be ready for reach out process, email ready, finish readings, you will hear from us in coming months, there will be future stakeholder meetings, feel free to share some ideas over email now, attach 2014 bicycle plan and 3 reports (at least the 2019 and 2022 one) (link it in email itself). 
    • Start report for undergraduate project early April.

    Meeting from 3/1:

    Sarthak and Ethan met via zoom to reflect on their meeting with Stacey. Ethan and Sarthak made note of stakeholders that she suggested that we reach out to and other readings to review. Ethan is to draft an email for reaching out to stakeholders once we return from Spring Break. Ethan is also expected to review RPC Bike Plan, Campus Master Plan, Crash Data, and TDM Plan.

    Notes:

    • Readings to do:
      • RPC Bike Plan
      • Campus Master Plan
      • Crash Data
      • TDM
      • APBP and League of American Bicyclists we will reach out to
      • Look at TDM report for Bicycle Friendly University updates
      • TDM to be published this year
    • Starting introductory email template and we would greatly appreciate your input and guidance when developing plan
    • Give info on what the old plan was and progress
    • Suggestions on adding more 
    • Ethan: start draft of email 
    Attached Files: 

  6. Weekly capstone meetings: Meeting from 2/23 and 2/24

    Associated Project(s): 
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    Sarthak and Ethan met with Stacey DeLorenzo to discuss their development of the planning process for the 2024 Campus Master Bicycle Plan which will occur this semester. Stacey approved of a bicycle audit happening in the fall as well as gave some suggestions for some other stakeholders to include such as Ride Illinois. They also discussed more readings to refer to such as the TDM Plan and Urbana bike plan. This semester will culminate with the meeting with CTAC discussing the working structure and plan for the next two semesters. They also talked about other potential ideas to include in the plan such as scooter parking, more bike share programs, and more bicycle education programs. Stacey agreed to meet with Sarthak and Ethan once a month to get updates on their progress. 

    Attached Files: 

  7. Sustainability Internship Program Independent Study Documents

    Associated Project(s): 
    Education iCAP Team
    Sustainability Internship Program

    Attached documents were generated as part of an independent study on a sustainability internship program. It highlights similar programs, both at UIUC and elsewhere, as well as some identification of local opportunities.

    Attached Files: 

  8. iSEE Quarterly update for Winter 2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Report on Progress
    iSEE Campus as a Living Lab (CALL) Projects
    iSEE Congress
    Environmental Leadership Program (ELP)
    Certificate in Environmental Writing (CEW) [ARCHIVED]
    Grind2Energy
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    Illini Lights Out
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Certified Greener Campus Programs
    Bee Campus USA

    Greetings, Colleagues,

     

    I hope the start of 2023 is going well. I’m reaching out today to send you iSEE Quarterly update for Winter 2022 from the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment.

     

    For more up-to-date news from iSEE, please sign up for our E-newsletter at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5031776.

     

    IN RESEARCH

     

     IN EDUCATION & OUTREACH

    • Registration is open for iSEE Congress 2023 — “Addressing Crises of a Planetary Scale: Lessons from Pandemics and Climate Change.”
    • The Fall 2023 Critical Conversation is expected to bring together stakeholders to discuss climate-smart commodities.
    • iSEE’s Environmental Leadership Program for Spring 2023 is already more than past the midway point; check out our student blog for some perspective on the immersive learning experience.
    • Read a Certificate in Environmental Writing (CEW) success story in former Q author and CEW recipient Zack Fishman.

     

    IN CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY

    • Our Grind2Energy video explored how dining hall food waste produces energy and fertilizer; its release spurred coverage by The News-Gazette and WCIA-TV.
    • iSEE’s new, more comprehensive Student Action webpage offers listings for iSEE jobs, volunteering, and student organizations to join.
    • Illini Lights Out fall semester featured RECORD totals: more than 640 volunteers turned off 20,303 bulbs, saving the campus as much as 35,000 kWH, $3,090, and nearly 25 tons of GHG. Spring dates: Jan. 27 (130+ volunteers, 5,043 bulbs, 8,700 kWH, $760, 6.2 tons of GHG), Feb. 10 and 24, March 24, and April 21.
    • At the November Zero Waste basketball game (see video) more than 280 pounds of beverage containers and other recyclables were diverted from the landfill. The next Zero Waste basketball game March 2 seeks 100 volunteers. iSEE partnering with F&S, Housing, Athletics, and Union for a #don’twasteWednesdays twitter campaign all spring. FALL PLAN: a ZW football tailgate.
    • A new Waste Transfer Station video shows the great work by Facilities & Services — but also the need for all campus community members to pre-sort their recyclables to prevent them from becoming landfill waste.
    • Greener Campus certifications in the new year: One new office (Visit Champaign County!), one new chapter (Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority), and nine new events (including Illini Lights Out) certified in January.
    • Read our article about the sustainable features of Campus Recreation and our feature about the new beekeeping club on campus.

     

    Thanks for reading, and best wishes for the remainder of the spring semester!

     

    Best,

    Madhu Khanna

     

     

    Madhu Khanna

    Pronouns: she, her

    Alvin H. Baum Family Chair & Director, Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment

    ACES Distinguished Professor in Environmental Economics

    Co-Director, Center for Economics of Sustainability

    University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

    1301, W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801

     

     

     

  9. Weekly capstone meetings: Meeting from 2/15

    Associated Project(s): 
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    Ethan and Sarthak met via zoom to discuss Ethan’s progress in reviewing relevant documents toward the former 2014 Bicycle Plan and for the future 2024 Bicycle Plan. Ethan has finished reading the 2019 and 2023 progress reports on the bicycle plan and reviewed which projects have been finished and are yet to be finished. Ethan’s main goal is to develop a presentation for a meeting with Morgan and Stacy to discuss the work he and Sarthak have been doing. Also, they must present their plan for the semester in regard to developing the planning process for the next year, in reference to the 2024 Bicycle Plan. Ethan and Sarthak also discussed highlighting the bicycle audit expected to be done in the Fall.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Sustainability Career Panel Newsletter

    Associated Project(s): 
    Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)
    Sustainability at Career Fairs

    Image

    SECS Newsletter 02/13/2022

    WHEN: Wednesday, February 15, 2022

    TIME: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

    WHERE: Campus Instructional Facility, Room 2035 (1405 W. Springfield Avenue)

    Image

    Happy Monday! I hope you guys are enjoying the sweater weather outside! We will take a break from our projects this week as our sustainability career panel will take place on Wednesday at the CIF. The panel will feature leaders from the Illinois EPA, Illinois Environmental Council, Prairie Rivers Network, Urbana Park District, Sola Gratia Farm, and more. This event will be broken into two 50-minute sections separated by a break, and there will be plenty of time for a Q&A session. Food will be provided (👀), with vegetarian-friendly options available.

    Also, don't forget about our Valentine's Day fundraiser this Tuesday! Stop by our table at the quad from 12-4 to buy some V-Day cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and roses! If you want to bake out or help, it's not too late - use this link to sign up. Thank you!


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    We hope to see you on Wednesday! Go green or go HOME!

     




     

     

    Join the Discord!

     

  11. Education iCAP Team February Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Education iCAP Team
    100-Level Courses

    The education iCAP Team met for its February meeting on Monday, February 6th, at 4 PM. The team had Resilience iCAPTeam chair Stacy Gloss as a guest. Stacy presented the Sustainability Economic Analysis Recommendation of the Resilience iCAP Team, and the team discussed some revisions and educational support ideas for the recommendation. Afterward, the team discussed incorporating sustainability into 100-level courses.

    Meeting minutes are attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  12. Weekly capstone meetings: Meeting from 1/25 and 2/1

    Associated Project(s): 
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    1/25 Meeting Recap:

    • Sarthak introduces the project to Ethan in their first meeting via zoom. They are expected to develop the planning process for the development of the 2024 Bicycle Plan, which is expounding upon the former 2014 Bicycle Plan. Next school year, Ethan would work alongside Sarthak in developing the plan itself. 
    • Firstly, Sarthak wants Ethan to read all of the relevant readings for understanding the context of this project, especially the 2014 Bicycle Plan and report/updates on that plan since then. Sarthak introduces the iCAP portal to Ethan and grants him access to the reports/to make edits to the developing projects. 
    • Ethan to start the readings before the next meeting on (2/1).

     

    2/1 Meeting Recap

    • Sarthak and Ethan met via zoom to discuss Ethan’s progress in familiarizing himself with the 2014 Bicycle Plan and its other relevant documents and reports. 
    • Ethan read 30 pages of the 2014 Plan so far, and had two questions for Sarthak. One was in regard to the scope of the 2024 Plan’s recommendations. Specifically, Ethan was wondering to what degree will their 2024 Plan discuss campus connectivity with the greater Champaign-Urbana areas. Sarthak said that he would need to get a confirmation from his colleagues, but he believes that the scope of this plan should only encompass the campus district. This considers the main campus, but also the adjacent northwest area that contains mostly residential and commercial spaces. This campus district stretches to the northbound-southbound railroad tracks west of campus and up to University Avenue. 
    • Ethan’s second question was in regard to the goals listed in the executive summary versus the desired outcomes listed in the introduction. The executive summary lists the primary goals of the entire plans while the introduction’s outcomes describe the specific goals of the bikeway network improvement project. 
    • Sarthak shows Ethan how to post updates to the 2024 Bicycle Plan on the iCAP portal. Ethan will begin posting his weekly updates based on their weekly meetings there. 
    • Sarthak advised Ethan to finish reading the 2014 Bicycle Plan by next week’s meeting (2/8) and to finish the rest of the relevant readings/reports by the end of the month (February). 
    Attached Files: 

  13. Weekly capstone meetings: Meeting from 2/8

    Associated Project(s): 
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    Sarthak and Ethan met in person to discuss Ethan’s updates on his readings on the former 2014 Bicycle Plan. He has completed his review of the 2014 Plan and will delve into the progress reports and updates reports published in 2019, 2022, and 2023 for next week to see which projects have been completed, changed, or left unfinished indefinitely. He will also review the feedback from the League of American Bicyclists based on the University’s Bronze Bicycle Friendly Status awarded in 2019. The goal is to receive Gold Status this August, if not in 2027 because the review is done every 4 years. A main aspect of the 2024 Bicycle Plan will be to achieve Platinum Status by 2031. Sarthak also assured Ethan that many of the projects of the 2014 plan have since been completed which will be seen in the update/progress reports. Ethan’s to do list is to finish his readings relevant to the 2024 Bicycle Plan, such as the update reports. Also, he must begin preparing to consolidate the work he and Sarthak have done. This will then be presented to Sarthak’s bosses which will focus on the plan for this semester and the next two semesters.

    Attached Files: 

  15. Campus Bike Plan update: information for the undergraduate student

    Associated Project(s): 
    2014 Campus Bike Plan [ARCHIVED]
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    Hi Bumsoo, I had a call with Marc yesterday, and he mentioned that the MUP program can work on this project in the fall and spring semesters as a group project. I am still trying to figure out all that needs to be done for this project, and I think getting the help from your student might be beneficial.

    How many hours can your student set aside for this project? In this semester, your student could help identify the stakeholders to reach out for the Campus Bike Plan update. He can help with determining a timeline and the planning process for next academic year. (If time permits) I will also ask the student to present some preliminary suggestions for the 2024 Bike Plan update at the end of this semester.

    The first thing for your student would be to read the current 2014 Campus Bicycle Master Plan (https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/files/project/37/2014%20Campus%20Bicycle%20Plan.pdf). I have published two progress reports in the past few years. I am currently working on our progress report from the past year, which should be published in the next few weeks. Here is the 2022 report: Campus Bike Plan progress report FY22. Here is the 2019 report: 2019 Report for 2014 Campus Bicycle Plan

    I would like to have weekly meetings with student. In the next 2-3 weeks, I would schedule a meeting with Morgan and Stacey to present what we think we should accomplish at the end of this semester. At the end of the semester, he will present the findings to F&S, SPO, Transportation iCAP Team, and possibly to the Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC).

    Please let me know if this sounds good to you. I would be very happy to meet your student and get started on this project. Thank you,
    Sarthak

  16. 2024 Campus Bike Plan update: collaboration with Department of Urban Planning

    Associated Project(s): 
    2014 Campus Bike Plan [ARCHIVED]
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    Sarthak Prasad met with Marc Doussard, the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) Director, to talk about MUP capstone and how their students can assist with this project. Marc said they can bring this project to the class int he fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters and assist in the update.

    Bumsoo Lee also mentioned that he has an undergraduate student who is very interested in helping out with this project in the spring 2023 semester.

  17. Nathaniel Nevins to help with the Campus Bike Plan update

    Associated Project(s): 
    2014 Campus Bike Plan [ARCHIVED]
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    Sarthak Prasad met with Nathaniel Nevins, high school senior, on Tuesday January 17, 2023. Nathaniel is going to help with the Campus Bike Plan update. He is going to read the 2014 Campus Bike Plan by February 15, 2023, and read both the progress reports for Campus Bike Plan by February 28, 2023. He is also going to suggest ideas for the update. Nathaniel will be volunteering over the spring semester. Following information was shared with him:

    Here is the link to the iCAP Portal: https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/

    Here is the 2014 Campus Bike Plan: https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/files/project/37/2014%20Campus%20Bicycle%20Plan.pdf

    Here is the 2022 report: Campus Bike Plan progress report FY22

    Here is the 2019 report: 2019 Report for 2014 Campus Bicycle Plan

  18. Sustainability Literacy Assessment link access

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Literacy Assessment
    Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS)

    The following is an email sent by Meredith Moore on Jan 12, 2023 to Elizabeth Murphy, Jennifer Fraterrigo, Morgan White, Daphne Hulse, and Anthony Mancuso:

    Hi all,

     

    I want to make sure you all have editable access to the Sustainability Literacy Assessment: https://forms.gle/aUyZjxKT7FF8b8fP7. There is no rush on getting this published (I recommend doing a pre- and post-assessment before spring 2025 to optimize AASHE STARS points).

     

    Thanks,

    Meredith  

  19. iCAP Education Team general update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Gen-Ed Requirement

    Below is an update from Jessica Nicholson, with an update to the gen-ed project.

     

    Hello iCap Education Team,

     

    I hope you all had a good Holiday Season! I have attached my latest Sustainability Gen-Ed Proposal to this email and added it to the iCap Education Team Box Folder along with several supporting documents. The suggestions and next steps I described at our December 5th meeting are added as comments to the proposal, so I hope this helps as the team continues working toward the Sustainability Gen-Ed next semester. I have also copied my mailing list here so you all can see the new attached proposal with next steps. Given these changes, I am confident that my proposal will gather the Dean endorsements that it couldn't previously and has the support it needs to be successful.

     

    Please keep me updated as this progresses, and if you need anything else from me or have any questions, feel free to let me know. I am in a significant transition period now that I have graduated, but I will stay involved as much as I can.

     

    Thanks,

    Jessica

  20. Sustainability Council Meeting 12-13-22

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Clean Energy Plan
    Sustainability Gen-Ed Requirement
    Sustainable Land Management Committee

    The Sustainability Council met on 12-13-22 and discussed the following agenda:

    • Zero Waste
    • Energy Planning
    • Strategic Plan
    • Old Business
      - Sustainability General Education Requirement
      - Sustainable Land Management Committee Report

    The meeting minutes and slide deck are attached. 

    Attached Files: 

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