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Projects Updates for theme: all

  1. Recycling bins pilot project planned for March

    Associated Project(s): 
    Recycling Bins Pilot at Ikenberry

    A project is planned for March to evaluate a new outdoor recycling station in comparison to existing bins with revised signage.  Housing has the station located inside the entrance of Ikenberry Commons.  For the project, that station will be placed outside along the North entrance, directly across from the existing bins.  After one week, waste audits will be conducted on both stations, the stations will then reversed, and the experiment will run for another week.  The project looks to compare the recycling and contamination rates of the two station types.  Results will aid in the decision making of future bin purchases.  

  2. Status of F&S truck availability

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illinois Biodiesel Initiative (IBI)

    F&S Garage and Car Pool had provided IBI with a truck that could be used for moving waste vegetable oil as well as biodiesel.

    Unfortunately the truck that was used has been transferred to another department. At this time I am not aware of any other suitable truck becoming available. The University's fiscal situation is such that it is highly unlikely that another truck will be available in the near term.

    Collection and transportation of the biodiesel requires tanks and pumps. The size can vary depending on scale, but the equipment is needed regardless for efficiency. 

  4. Notes from discussion with Mike Brunk, City of Urbana Arborist

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tree Campus Higher Education

    Morgan Johnston spoke with Mike Brunk with the City of Urbana about the Arbor Day Celebrations held by the City of Urbana in previous years. 

    • The tree planted on the west side of Follenger Hall was for the tenth anniversary of Urbana’s Tree City designation in 1986.
    • Urbana does a proclamation that the Mayor reads, usually signed by the Mayor of Urbana and the Mayor of Champaign. Urbana facilitates it,and they could add UI.
    • They work with the park district, and build trees in the parks, invite a particular school with one or two grades.  They pre-plant the trees and have mulch piles, so the kids get to mulch the tree. Talk about the eco benefits of trees with a barrel of water and a five gallon bucket and a milk jug. 
    • It is actually bird and tree day.  Entertain the kids, proclamation from mayors, newspaper, and event for kids.  Tree planting of some sort and an acknowledgement.
    Attached Files: 

  8. Media Hits

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 1.0

    http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2015-01-20/solar-farm-construction-start-spring-ui.html

    http://www.illinoishomepage.net/story/d/story/south-farms-to-include-sol...

    http://www.wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_20693.shtml

    http://sustainability.illinois.edu/big-news-from-facilities-services-sol...

    http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2015/01/21/dd-obama-no-challenge-poses-...

    http://wgil.com/v3/2015/01/21/u-of-illinois-gets-ok-to-hire-california-f...

    http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/4798ffaa7e8a4a4d869ef07afe8be884/I...

    http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/ui-gets-ok-to...

    http://www.energycentral.com/news/en/34977147/-Solar-farm-design-work-co...?

    http://www.bnd.com/2015/01/21/3621109/ui-gets-ok-to-hire-california.html

    http://myinforms.com/en-us/a/9878155-solar-farm-construction-to-start-in...

  9. Newsletter January 2015

    Associated Project(s): 
    USGBC Student Chapter
    Eco-Olympics

    Come join us for our first general meeting of the semester! Several students who attended the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo this past November will be discussing various education sessions they attended. These sessions cover a wide range of metrics in the realm of sustainability, so you definitely do not want to miss out!

    We will also be giving a general run-down of our events and projects for this semester, including the 3rd annual Student Sustainability Initiatives Symposium (SSIS), our LEGO LEED Engineering Open House project, LEED Study Sessions, and much more!

    As always, food will be provided! The meeting will be Wednesday, January 27th at 5pm in Newmark 2311

    Contact Dhara Patel at dhara.x.patel @ gmail.com if you have any questions!

     

    Projects Chair position available!


    Interested in joining our USGBC Students UIUC team? We are currently looking for a Projects Chair to run our Projects Team! This person will be in charge of running various sustainability and green building projects in the C-U area, such as Engineering Open House, Campus Conservation Nationals, and more! This is a great position for those interested in obtaining networking and leadership experience in a casual setting.

    If YOU are interested in this position, please attend our general meeting on Wednesday and talk to one of the board members indicating your interest! If you cannot make the meeting, please email our organization account at usgbcstudents.uiuc@gmail.com!

     

    Membership


    USGBC Students membership is $10 for the semester and $15 for the year. Only members can attend Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, run for Executive Board positions, apply for Intern and Chair Positions, and participate in non-meeting activities that require funding. Members also receive a $10 discount for LEED Study Sessions!

    As a new additional benefit, becoming a member will give you access to the official US Green Building Council internal "Facebook": National Field. This is an invaluable resource that will allow you to network with USGBC staff in Washington D.C., all state and regional chapters, and USGBC members across the nation.

    Contact John Shapely at jshaple2 @ illinois.edu to become a member!

     

  10. 2015 Campus Tree Advisory Committee charge letter

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tree Campus Higher Education

    From: Johnston, Morgan B
    Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 3:18 PM
    To: Welch, Ryan B; Johnston, Morgan B; Lewis, Brent Christopher; McSweeney, Kevin; Kling, Gary J; Lage, Stephanie M; Brunk, Mike
    Subject: Campus Tree Advisory Committee

    Hello,

    I am writing to formally ask for your participation in the new Campus Tree Advisory Committee for calendar year 2015.  Superintendent of Grounds Ryan Welch and I will co-chair this committee, under the purview of Facilities and Services Executive Director Al Stratman.  Our goal is to achieve the Tree Campus USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation by the end of this calendar year.  To that end, we would like your advice for the following items, as listed in the attached charge letter.

    1. Assist with Tree Campus USA application by December 31, 2015.
    2. Recommend policies for the maintenance, removal, planting, and landscaping of trees. 
    3. Recommend a tree protection plan process for construction and trenching. 
    4. Recommend a policy for enforcement, penalties, and appeals related to tree damage.
    5. Develop a communication strategy to help make the campus community and contractors aware of policies, procedures, and goals of Tree Campus.
    6. Plan an Arbor Day observance event for Arbor Day (last Friday in April).
    7. Review annual expenditures related to tree maintenance.

    We expect to meet for one hour approximately once per month, except during the summer months.  The first meeting will be set for early February.  Please let me know if there is someone who manages your calendar for you, and I will work with them to schedule the first meeting.

    Thanks in advance for your help with this process!  I look forward to meeting with you next month.

    Sincerely,

    Morgan

    Attached Files: 

  12. Solar Farm Agreements Signed

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 1.0

    CHAMPAIGN, IL (January 20, 2015) –  Construction of a 5.87 megawatt (MW) Solar Farm on campus will begin in Spring 2015 after university and state officials approved power purchase and land lease agreements with Phoenix Solar South Farms, LLC.

    See the attached release, fact sheet, and poster for more details.

    Attached Files: 

  13. Previous iCAP Portal overview

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 1.0

    To increase the use of renewable energy sources for campus electrical needs and meet the commitments set by the 2010 Climate Action Plan, the University of Illinois issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a firm to design, build, operate, and maintain (DBOM) a Solar Farm at the Urbana campus with a corresponding Power Purchase Agreement.  The Solar Farm will be connected directly to the University’s electrical distribution system in parallel with the electrical service provided by the local utility.

    The University provides electricity, chilled water, and steam service to more than 50,000 people (faculty, staff and students) who work, learn, and/or live on the campus.  The electricity generated from campus is delivered to the campus via the University’s owned and operated distribution system.  Although the University’s grid is connected to the local utility transmission and distribution system, which receives transmission services from the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO), the University will use all of the electricity generated from the solar farm project.

    Background

    The University is seeking a proposal to lease 21 acres of land in the South Farms area, for the installation and operation of a Solar Farm.  The University will lease the land to the selected Proposer for $1.00 per year and establish a Power Purchase Agreement for the renewable energy.  The Proposer will be responsible for design, construction, permitting, transportation needs, operation, and maintenance of the Solar Farm, as well as connection to the University’s electrical grid.

     

  15. update meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tree Campus Higher Education

    Morgan Johnston and Ryan Welch met to review next steps for the Tree Campus USA designation.  The charge letter is scheduled to go to committee members at the end of this month, with a first meeting to get scheduled in February.

  16. Housing recycling bin test project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Install Appropriate Waste Collection Infrastructure

    During the fall ’14 semester, University Housing was able to acquire a recycling bin from MaxR through their Free Bin Friday promotional event. The bin was specifically designed for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign using our colors and logo, and currently resides at the entrance of 57 North inside the Student Dining and Residential Programs Building (SDRP).

    A suggestion was made to use this bin, along with the recycling bins recently purchased for the main quad, to conduct a test to determine if the branding of a bin would impact recycling participation among our student population.

    The test would be conducted at the north entrance of SDRP, and would take place during the spring ’15 semester once weather is more favorable for outdoor foot traffic. All existing trash receptacles would be removed and replaced with the MaxR bin and the appropriately signed bins for the main quad. The test would be conducted for a two week period with the containers switching places after the first week to eliminate positioning as a possible cause for false results. Data would be collected and analyzed by ISCT to determine participation and contamination rates for each style of container. The results would be available made available to various sustainability groups across campus including ISTC and ISEE.

  18. Project proposal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Recycling Bins Pilot at Ikenberry

    During the fall ’14 semester, University Housing was able to acquire a recycling bin from MaxR through their Free Bin Friday promotional event. The bin was specifically designed for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign using our colors and logo, and currently resides at the entrance of 57 North inside the Student Dining and Residential Programs Building (SDRP).   A suggestion was made to use this bin, along with the recycling bins recently purchased for the main quad, to conduct a test to determine if the branding of a bin would impact recycling participation among our student population.   The test would be conducted at the north entrance of SDRP, and would take place during the spring ’15 semester once weather is more favorable for outdoor foot traffic. All existing trash receptacles would be removed and replaced with the MaxR bin and the appropriately signed bins for the main quad. The test would be conducted for a two week period with the containers switching places after the first week to eliminate positioning as a possible cause for false results. Data would be collected and analyzed by ISCT to determine participation and contamination rates for each style of container. The results would be available made available to various sustainability groups across campus including ISTC and ISEE.

     

  19. idea for online content

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Ben McCall suggested a central repository of information about "how to deal with stuff" on our campus -- maybe a website called zerowaste.illinois.edu.  He suggested it could perhaps be a collaboration between F&S, ISTC, and iSEE.  Morgan replied with the recommend ation that we use an existing website with a short URL rather than set up a completely new one, and then get a short URL for it. 

    The current pages for our campus are the F&S Waste Management and Recycling page at http://www.fs.illinois.edu/services/waste-management-recycling, and the iCAP Portal repository page at https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/themes/procurement-waste.

    Urbana has a similar site at: http://urbanaillinois.us/residents/recycling-program-u-cycle/where-do-i-take-it.

  20. GRITS one month trial period January 2014

    Associated Project(s): 
    Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
    Billion Dollar Green Challenge

    F&S is working with Shoshana Blank, the Senior Research Fellow & GRITS Project Lead at the Sustainable Endowments Institute, on a trial tracking and reporting system for the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).  Mike Marquissee is entering some historical data in to the system.  F&S is also sharing access to the trial site with the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) Program Advisor, Micah Kenfield. 

    Initial reactions at F&S are very positive.  The GRITS system has a low annual cost, and it provides a simple and robust tracking system for the RLF.  This would be an upgrade from the spreadsheet tracking we are currently using.  The program also provides reports on payback, energy saved, fund growth over time, and more.  Additionally, there is a Project Library resource, which shares conservation project information from other GRITS participants.

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