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Projects Updates for theme: all

  2. Meeting with F&S representatives

    Associated Project(s): 
    NRES 285: Sustainability Metrics and Evaluation Techniques

    Warren Lavey met with John Prince and Morgan Johnston to discuss the intentions for this course.  We reviewed the summer conversations with Jordan Williams and Claire Grogan about the Business Instructional Facility and the Occupancy Sensors.  There are a lot of projects that could be identified for this class to consider, and F&S would prefer to suggest projects with existing information and contact people.  Morgan agreed to provide a list by October 21 of potential projects for the class to review.

  5. note about getting students involved

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco-Olympics

    -Involving the individual colleges for spreading the word to gain student leaders and volunteers, ex: College of Environmental Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, ACES etc… ?

    After gaining their support, I would send a mass e-mail to the admins office and they could forward to students

  6. RLF project suggestions now being accepted

    Associated Project(s): 
    Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)

    The FY14 Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) selection process has recently begun.  The RLF can fund medium payback utility conservation projects, involving energy, water, or chilled water on campus  (Examples of RLF projects are the campus lighting retrofit and the installation of occupancy sensors).  Launched in 2011 as a part of the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP), the RLF fully funds projects and is paid back over time from the associated cost avoidance.  Details about the RLF can be found on the iCAP Portal and in the attached fact sheet.  Project suggestions will be accepted through October 7.  See http://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/revolving-loan-fund. 

    Please direct any questions to Morgan Johnston 217-333-2668 mbjohnst@illinois.edu.

    Attached Files: 

  7. Allen Hall cardboard box recycling drive

    Associated Project(s): 
    Increase Recycling Rates

    My name is Max Colon, and I am a Resident Advisor in Allen Hall that works with a sustainability group to try and keep Allen green. Every year, we hold a recycling box drive where our organization hands out cardboard recycling boxes that have been given to us by Housing. I have a attached a photo of one of these boxes for identification purposes. I am wondering if it is possible for you to help me figure out who in Housing should be contacted in order to continue this tradition. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated! - Max

    We had the boxes over 10 years and we have depleted all supplies last year. Sorry- Vonne Ortiz

  8. Amy Liu is interested in talking with fraternities and sororities

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    Amy Liu spoke with Morgan Johnston at the SSC working group kickoff meeting about reaching out to sororities and fraternities about reducing waste by using reusable water bottles.  Morgan provided Amy with contact info for Michelle Hart in the Student Services Building.  Amy also suggested the catchy phrase "Tap that" to associate their efforts with tap water. Morgan noted that she is still setting up the water fountain tour with the plumbing shop, hopefully for next week.

  9. Paul Foote starts working on Lighting Retrofit grant preapplication

    Associated Project(s): 
    EEPs – Energy Efficiency Grants

    Today, Paul Foote met with Eva Sweeney and Morgan Johnston to begin the pre-application process for the Lighting Retrofit DCEO grant application.  After submitting a pre-application, the UI grant and contracts office will allow us to request an Anticipation Account.  The anticipation account can be used to fund retrofits directly using the anticipated grant incentives.  This grant has a bonus for work completed by Halloween and a smaller bonus for work completed by Valentine's Day.

  10. Quick update from Sarah

    Associated Project(s): 
    Orchard Downs Multifunctional Landscape (ODMFL) [ARCHIVED]

    Morgan and Sarah had a quick conversation today about the ODMFL project and plants.  Sarah reported that the plants were stored in pots at the Arboretum over the summer, and Kevin is working to move them into planted buffer polinator strips at the Sustainable Student Farm.  Sarah is going to continue to talk with Housing about the Orchard Downs project.

  11. Working Group kickoff meeting

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

    The SSC Working Group kickoff meeting we held today.  All the working group chairs gave a quick overview of the project types they handle. The chair gave an overview of the process and the workload for the working groups.  

    The individual working groups met at various tables and discussed their plans for the year.

  12. Katie Kinley suggests CITES utilize rechargeable batteries

    Associated Project(s): 
    Battery Recycling

    Katie Kinley, with the Student Sustainability Committee, expressed interest in getting the CITES department to use rechargeable batteries in their equipment, rather than single use batteries. Morgan Johnston provided her with a contact name to initiate the discussion.  It was also noted that CITES can receive SSC funding for projects, but we don't believe they have applied in the past.  

  13. request for more details about trailer

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

    From: Johnston, Morgan B
    Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 4:19 PM
    To: Dornford, Adam Rey; Lietz, Amanda M; Ali, Zeynep; Branham, Bruce E
    Cc: Grant, Craig P; Halverson, Robert
    Subject: IBI trailer

    Hello IBI representatives,

    In order for F&S specialists to adequately review the IBI biodiesel trailer installation requirements, we will need additional details from the manufacturer.  Craig Grant is the Associate Director of Campus Code Compliance and Fire Safety, and he told me that the website for Verde Biofuel does not specify the codes that company used when creating their trailer systems. 

    Please confirm the specific trailer you intend to purchase, and seek the detailed specifications for the equipment used in that trailer.  We need to know, for example, if they followed the National Electric Code (NEC) requirements. 

    You are welcome to call me at 217-344-0044 if you would like to talk about this.

    Thanks,

    Morgan

  14. F&S email about approval for a trailer

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

    Hello folks,

    As some of you know, the Illinois Biodiesel Initiative (IBI) is very interested in getting a self-contained trailer to do their reactions in.  There is a company called Verde Biofuel that makes these trailers, and the IBI is in discussions with them. 

    • Examples of the trailers can be seen here: http://verdebiofuel.com/products/mobile-biodiesel-processors/.
    • They would like to purchase a 250 gallon system, but have it installed in a 7X14 foot trailer.  
    • It would be best with 240 volt electrical service, but they told me that they could make do with 120 volt service if necessary.
    • They would like to park this indefinitely in a single location on campus.  If permissible, the area near parking lot B21 (behind Loomis) or B1 (behind Ceramics) would be convenient to them. 
    • They also need access to water, essentially a faucet to wash tanks, etc.  They would use the water to clean the equipment only, and propose taking it in a tote to dispose the waste water correctly.

    We are looking for feedback about what needs to be done in order for this trailer system to be approved by campus.  Are there certain location restrictions they will need to abide? Do they need to incorporate anything in addition to what is listed above? For example, they will need to store glycerin, soap, and waste oil somewhere.  Should they be looking at a permanent tank or two?

    Please let me know your thoughts and if you would like to discuss this in person.

    Thanks,

    Morgan

  15. Library excited about glass fillers

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    Hi Morgan,

    That is fantastic news!  The Library has installed a few in the Main Library and has received numerous thanks for providing easy means for faculty, staff and students to fill drinking water containers. 

    Bill Mischo, Head Librarian - Grainger, Lori Mestre, Head Librarian - UGL and John Wilkin, Dean of Libraries will be very pleased.

    Approved

    Many thanks to the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Jeff

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

    Work orders submitted for Grainger and the Undergrad Library (UGX).

  17. work orders submitted

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    Work orders were submitted for the following locations:

    • Armory, floors 1 and 3
    • Wohlers Hall, floors 1 and 2
    • Loomis Lab, floors 1 and 2
    • Siebel Center, basement and floor 1
    • Natural Resources Building, floors 1 and 2

    The Housing location at Ikenberry Commons (actually called Student Dining and Residential Programs, SDRP) was discussed with John Humlicek, and they have already installed bottle fillers at that location.  They are also working to install one per floor of all residence halls.

    The Library locations have been shared with Jeff Schrader in the Library to get his input before installation proceeds.

  19. Positions determined for FY14

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

    Working Group Formation and Chair Selection

    a.       Energy

    Chair: Jessica DeWitt

    b.       Water

    Chair: Amy Liu

    c.        Food/Waste

    Chair: Maria Jones

    d.       Land

    Chair: Amy Liu

    e.       Transportation

    Chair: Katie Kinley

    f.        Education

    Chair: Nishant Makhijani

     Subcommittee Formation and Chair Selection

    a.       Executive

    Chair: Marika

    b.       Finance

    Chair: Katie

    c.        Bylaws

    Chair: Nishant

    d.       Marketing

    Chair: Marlon

  20. e-waste project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tikkun Chambana

    Hello, my name is Jonathan Bressler.  I am the president of Tikkun Chambana, a Jewish environmental RSO.  We are trying to start a pilot campus e-Waste recycling program, as the only drop off for Champaign County according to your website is off campus.  We are doing this in conjunction with Green Purpose LLC, a for-profit recycling company in Champaign.  

    We are starting in The Cohen Center as a pilot before expanding outward to other places.  However, we are also trying to look long-term to secure some sort of funding or grant to allow this to continue.  Therefore, I was wondering if you or someone else at the ITSC could assist with that or direct us elsewhere to any sort of grants you or others may be giving. 

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