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Projects Updates for theme: all

  5. Sustainability Council meeting 04-30-2019

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Explore Options for 100 Percent Clean Campus Energy
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Off-campus Solar Farm 3.0 PPA
    Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS)
    Second Nature Climate Leadership Award
    Sustainable Agricultural Practices
    iSEE funding for Campus as a Living Lab (CALL)
    Green Research Committee
    Attached Files: 

  6. Weekly Update - Bicycle Donations, Bike to Work Day, etc.

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center
    C-U Bike to Work Day

    All, Big but also kind of micro news is that there’s been a noticeable uptick in donations here at the Bike Center. While I’d love to attribute that to our awesome Bike Abandonment Prevention program, it’s really just been local community members who’re cleaning out their garages--most prominently two white bearded men, not the graduating seniors that we’re hoping to attract.

    But that’s a good segue into what our Bike Abandonment Prevention is trying to do: reduce and abate the number of abandoned bikes left by students leaving campus around this time of year. In turn we hope Parking will have to collect fewer bikes that’ll end up in our hands in the end anyway. We’ve got signage and a bike rack set up outside the Bike Center to allow students to donate their bikes and, to incentivize the donation,  in return they can get a water bottle (but the water bottles are only available during open hours). We’ll track how many students are donating and obviously won’t be turning away community donations. There’s already been a social media push and advertising done by Campus Rec to help promote and get the word out!
    We’ve got our Fix-a-Flat class this Friday and of course Bike To Work Day on Wednesday. The weather isn’t looking great but we’ll get the dedicated folks come through, I’m sure. Jeff Yockey dropped off the BTWD shirt last week and we’ve been hanging it by the register to showcase the event. Over the upcoming weekend we’ve got our Bike Rodeo event which will also double as a drop-off spot for the Bike Abandonment Prevention program. May is looking busy but it is Bike Month!

    Numbers:

    Visitors: 73
    Sales: $812.50
    Memberships: 6 for $180
    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $500

     

    Thanks!

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  7. New Fork System

    Associated Project(s): 
    Track Waste from Frontload Trucks

    From: Hiser, Daniel William <dwhiser@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 9:35 AM
    To: Patterson, Shawn L <spttrsn@illinois.edu>; Varney, Peter W <pvarney@illinois.edu>; Martin, John M <jmmartn@illinois.edu>; Sinn, Macie Anne <sinn1@illinois.edu>
    Subject: New Fork System

     

     

    Hello All,

     

    I have Randy Massen scheduled to be in town the week of May 20th, the days will be utilized as follows.

    • Monday- Drive day
    • Tuesday- Install day
    • Wednesday- Training day (not the movie)
    • Thursday- Return day

     

    Thanks,

     

    Dan Hiser

    Sub Foreman

    Tel: (217)333-4336

    Cell: (217) 493-9832

     

    QMoCok4VHAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC

  8. Weekly Updates for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn--

    Zero waste activity for this past week was a conversation with Morgan about bringing asking the Green Labs Committee to weigh in on how to safely recycle gloves--and follow up with Kimberly-Clark. The committee will meet in the fall, and Sara Portillo, the Kimberly-Clark representative is aware that our efforts to enable greater lab participation are on hold until then.

    I emailed her after my conversation with Morgan to let her know that engaging the committee appears to be our best path forward. Sara let me know that the University of Illinois is to receive a Right Cylce Greenovation award for its participation in the Right Cycle glove recycling program.

    Best regards,

    Marya Ryan

  9. Approval for Support from campus to YMCA for Dump and Run

    Associated Project(s): 
    Dump and Run

    The following email contains a confirmation of approval from Lowa Mwilambwe for campus to provide support to the Dump and Run Program coordinated by the YMCA.

     

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

    From: Mwilambwe, Lowa

    Sent: Friday, April 26, 2019 4:00 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Cc: Hill, Darla J; Kushner, Allison; Harlan, Tina Diane; Brown Young, Danita M; Sealine, Alma R

    Subject: Re: Dump & Run funding confirmation

     

    This is to confirm that it is acceptable for campus to provide support to the Dump and Run Program coordinated by the YMCA. This program allows residence halls to dispose of items students don’t want to take home with them at the end of the spring semester by having YMCA volunteers collect them. Incoming students get the opportunity to purchase these items in August as they return to school. If this program didn’t exist, these items would end up in a landfill. Furthermore University Housing would be responsible for their disposal.

     

    Regarding truck usage, University staff should be the only individuals to drive University vehicles or ride in them. YMCA volunteers can load and unload the vehicles.

     

    Please note that I have explained to the YMCA staff that this is a one‐time deal and that we won’t be able to offer the same type of support next year. They are working on providing me with more information about how they use the funding generated from this program.

     

    I have copied all University staff I have I have talked to regarding this matter and they can offer their perspective, if I omitted anything.

     

    Thanks to all of you for making this happen, this one time. Please let me know if you have any questions.


    Lowa Mwilambwe

     

    Associate Vice Chancellor for Auxiliary, Health & Wellbeing

    Student Affairs

    University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign

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

    From: "White, Morgan"

    Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 12:45 PM

    To: Lowa Mwilambwe Subject: Dump & Run funding confirmation

     

    Hi Lowa,

     

    Please confirm (in writing) that it is acceptable for campus to provide support for the YMCA Dump & Run collections from our residence halls.

    If so, F&S will contribute a truck and driver this spring, but the long‐term solution needs to identify the appropriate funding source.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

    F&S Associate Director for Sustainability

    University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign

  10. MillerComm Lecture

    Associated Project(s): 
    Facilitate campus-wide sustainability events

    Interdisciplinary climate scientist to present MillerComm Lecture

    As part of Earth Week 2019, world-renowned climatologist Jonathan Overpeck, the dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan, will present “The Big Dry: New Drought Projections for the Southwest, Great Lakes and Beyond” at 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, in the Spurlock Museum's Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory, U. The lecture is free and open to the public.

    Tony Mancuso . Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

  11. Dump and Run 2019 Logistics Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Dump and Run

    The following email chain contains a discussion about a meeting to discuss logistics for Dump & Run 2019.

     

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

    From: Marc Alexander

    Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2019 5:04 PM

    To: Johnson, Bryan Lloyd

    Cc: White, Morgan; Arnold, David A

    Subject: Re: Dump and Run 2019

     

    Hi all, here's the beginnings of a logistical sheet for Residence Hall pickups. Dorm Pickups Sheet 2019

    It's ordered in rough zones, with dorms closest to each other clumped together. We can discuss more regarding times and what each day might look like in terms of pickups tomorrow. All of you should be able to edit the sheet, so please feel free to make changes if need be.

     

    In addition, here is a basic FAQ for donation sites with some info that might be helpful to you, but that can also be shared with the Resident Directors as well. We can make changes to this as well.

     

    Thanks everyone, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow!

     

    -Marc

     

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

    On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 3:37 PM Marc Alexander wrote:

    Excellent, thanks Bryan! I'll see you then. My cell is [omitted], don't hesitate to text or call in the next few weeks if any of you need anything promptly.

     

    -Marc

     

    On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 3:27 PM Johnson, Bryan Lloyd wrote:

    I was just on the phone with David about the meeting on Friday. I went ahead and reserved a room in Clark Hall for the meeting (room 222). We will plan on meeting in Clark Hall at 10:30, but David and I will touch base at the conclusion of my 9am meeting or your walkthrough which ever finishes first. If we can meet sooner, or during your rounds we will.

     

    My cell phone is [omitted]

     

    Bryan Johnson

    Project Manager, PMP

    UNIVERSITY HOUSING | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

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

    From: Marc Alexander 

    Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 3:17 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Cc: Johnson, Bryan Lloyd

    Subject: Re: Dump and Run 2019

     

    Bryan if you can do 10:30 great, but if not I'll make 10am work.

     

    I'll get back to you both with logistical plans. Thanks!

     

    -Marc

     

     

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

    On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 3:09 PM  White, Morgan wrote:

    Hi Marc,  Can we do a phone call with Bryan and the two of you at 10 Friday?  You may not be through all the locations yet, but that’s when both Bryan and I can do a call.

     

    Also, would you please send both of us any logistics plans you already have written up (even from previous years), so we can get a feeling for the driving needs?

     

    Thanks!

    Morgan

    ===============================

    Ms. Morgan White

    F&S Associate Director for Sustainability

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

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

    From: Marc Alexander 

    Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 3:06 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Cc: Johnson, Bryan Lloyd

    Subject: Re: Dump and Run 2019

     

    Hi Bryan, 

     

    Dave Arnold, who is an Area Coordinator for Residential Life, has been our contact for the residence halls. He and I are meeting at 9am Friday to walk the locations and determine container placement.

     

    -Marc

     

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

    On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 2:54 PM  White, Morgan wrote:

    Hi Bryan, Here is Marc’s email.  Let’s try to meet at 1am on Friday.

     

    Marc, please tell Bryan your contact person for setting the containers.

     

    ===============================

    Ms. Morgan White

    F&S Associate Director for Sustainability

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

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

    From: Johnson, Bryan Lloyd

    Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 2:47 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Subject: Dump and Run 2019

     

    I was asked by Alma Sealine to give you call concerning the Dump and Run event this year. When you get a moment, please give me a call to discuss Housing’s involvement.

     

    Thanks,

    Bryan Johnson

    Project Manager, PMP

    UNIVERSITY HOUSING | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  12. SSC funds ABE Doors and Windows

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This project aims to help meet iCAP energy conservation goals and provide a sustainable environment for student based activities. By replacing inefficient and broken single pane windows and non-insulated rusted out doors in the ABE farm offices and shop facility, this project will help achieve the iCAP goals and save funds that be used to promote other activities. The planned outcome is four new insulated walk through doors and seventeen new insulated windows that assist in achieving the goals and provide for a welcoming and efficient learning environment.

    Attached Files: 

  13. SSC funds AgroForestry for Food - Irrigation Initiative

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The row crops that dominate Midwestern agriculture, corn and soybeans, are productive but also have a number of negative environmental impacts, such as soil erosion, loss of soil carbon, nitrate leaching, and greenhouse gas production. In order to combat these impacts of traditional Midwestern agriculture, this team established an “Agroforestry for Food” trial to experiment with systems that use multiple, perennial crops to produce foods with better environmental benefits and ecosystem services. This 12-hectare experimental plot is located at the Energy Farm on South Race Street, where it can produce a large amount of food and critical insights into the development of stable, productive cropping systems. It is entering its fifth growing season, but due to insufficient irrigation in past seasons, development of the plants has been slowed. This funding will allow for the installation of irrigation to improve crop growth and development, earlier and more robust harvests, and speed up the progress of the trial.

    Attached Files: 

  14. SSC funds Alternative Energy Innovation at the Hydrosystems Laboratory

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    As part of the construction of the new Hydrosystems Laboratory, it has become possible to integrate energy piles into the construction. This represents an emerging chance to take the next steps toward geothermal energy on campus by installing energy foundation piles in a large campus building. This project focuses on installation of geothermal heat exchangers within the foundation of the new Hydrosystems Laboratory. Approximately half of the pre-existing building was removed and a larger segment is being built to replace the demolished half. The new portion will be supported by eight drilled shafts. The goal is two use four of these shafts to install energy piles to provide the heating and cooling to the Geotechnical Instructional Laboratory. Data collected during operation of the piles will be used to investigate their heat transfer processes, and the results will be compared with the experimental data and the numerical model will be validated for further use to design new buildings on campus and in the surrounding areas.

    Attached Files: 

  15. SSC funds Art & Design Hallway Lighting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The second and third floors of the Art & Design building house the most-used student workspaces. Currently, these hallways (which are heavily used for the display and critique of student artwork) have bare fluorescent bulbs and manual switches. This project will allow for the replacement of the ceiling with a suspended ceiling system and integrated edge-lit LED flat panel lights, with occupancy sensor light controls. Additional funds will be supplied by Art & Design and award funds from the Energy Conservation Incentive Program.

    Attached Files: 

  16. SSC funds Bee Research Facility Sustainable Auxiliary Building

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The importance of honey bees cannot be understated; they are responsible for pollinating 1/3 of the food supply in the USA, worthy $15B annually. Bees are experiencing steep population declines, and beekeepers nationwide fight against the 4 Ps: parasites, pesticides, pathogens, and poor nutrition to keep their colonies alive and healthy. The Bee Research Facility will use this funding to construct a Sustainable Auxiliary Building enabling expansion of a cutting-edge research system to study the 4 Ps in an unprecedented level of detail. Overwintering colonies indoors will increase colony survival and the sustainability of campus resources, and provide further research opportunities.

    Attached Files: 

  17. SSC funds Campus Instructional Facility Geothermal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Construction will begin in June on the University of Illinois Campus Instructional Facility (CIF), which will be the first public-private partnership on the UIUC campus and the first geothermal system project of its size and scale. This geothermal installation will be scalable, allowing for expansion to other buildings on the Bardeen Quad. The system will reduce overall usage of other energy sources and provide a form of resiliency when parts of the campus energy system go offline, as well as reduce dependence on the Abbott Power Plant. It will also provide a prime opportunity to seek publicity and coverage to promote the UI as a leader of sustainability. Its completion will be a milestone for the university’s goal of carbon neutrality and will be the first to use this forward looking design while transitioning the campus towards a cleaner tomorrow.

    Attached Files: 

  18. SSC funds ECE Building Interactive, Energy Education/Production/Use Display

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The ECEB is projected to achieve net-zero energy shortly, due to its super-efficient design, construction materials, and recently installed solar panels. In order to celebrate and educate about this achievement, a multi-disciplinary team from ECE, Facilities & Services, iSEE, Engineering AV IT, and the School of FAA is coming together to visualize, construct, program and operate a student-focused display about energy production, utilization, and conservation in the ECEB south lobby. Several thousand students pass through this lobby daily, as well as many campus visitors, including the 10,000+ that come during Engineering Open House. The display will engage students and visitors with a touchscreen and information kiosks, show in real time the energy produced by ECEB’s solar panels and solar farm allotment, and demonstrate the efficiencies of ECEB. With the installation of this display, the building will be able to obtain LEED Platinum certification.

    Attached Files: 

  19. SSC funds Expansion & increased utilization of biomass heating at the Energy Farm

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This project will retrofit drying ovens and associated workspace to utilize renewable energy heat from an existing biomass boiler. The College of ACES is financially supporting the construction of a sample processing room to better utilize the existing drying over assets at the Energy Farm, for which the current energy source is propane. The biomass boiler, installed in 2017, has proven to be functional and capable of decreasing carbon. Right now, the primary structure it heats is a greenhouse, from October to April each year. By expanding the months of operation and utilizing excess capacity, an increased value and return on investment will be realized.

    Attached Files: 

  20. SSC funds Illini Hyperloop

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    “Hyperloop” is a proposed mass transportation method originally theorized by Elon Musk. The system involves a high-speed train, or “pod,” inside of a vacuum tube. In theory, a full-scale design could see pods traveling at up to 700 MPH, making it ideal for inter-city transportation normally taking up to six hours by car, and consuming very little energy. Illini Hyperloop is one of 21 competition teams accepted globally to build a pod for the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition. Musk’s SpaceX has built a mile-long Hyperloop tube, which can support a near-vacuum. Student-led teams around the world have entered the competition to race their vehicle. Illini Hyperloop has made it into the competition, and hopes to successfully complete construction of their vehicle, ship it to California, and race it on the track. With many students driving or taking buses to and from campus, a Hyperloop could potentially provide quick, inexpensive, and sustainable public transportation, and link Champaign to cities such as Chicago or St. Louis.

    Attached Files: 

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