On November 14, the ECBS SWATeam had their fifth meeting, where they revised their recommendation draft for energy conservation funds as a team. They also reflected on the presentation Doris and Brad gave at the previous meeting, and the team plans to contact them in regards to projects for energy savings. Energy report cards for campus buildings will be released soon. Certified Green Office Program 2.0 has been launched and currently 31% of campus buildings have been certified. A SWATeam member, Yun Kyu Yi, is also starting a personal project where he plans to look at the large-scale energy usage of each building and compare the methods for doing so.

You have the power to help reduce the environmental impact of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) is proud to present the Certified Green Office Program, its first initiative to engage the University community in a campus-wide commitment to sustainability.

We invite you and your office to make a pledge to reduce your use of resources and improve overall sustainability in the day-to-day practices of your office. Small actions make a big difference when many take those small actions. With your help, we can reduce the environmental impacts of this campus and strengthen its position as a national leader in sustainability.

What does it mean to be a Certified Green Office?

For the purposes of this program, any group – not just those labeled “office” – that occupies space in a campus building or is affiliated with the University may enroll to become a Certified Green Office. Some examples of those who may apply: administrative offices within departments; teams of researchers and graduate students; institutes; entire departments; or colleges.

Offices can enroll in the Certified Green Office Program and begin taking action to reduce their environmental footprints. During Earth Week in April 2015, iSEE will hold an awards ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of our outstanding Certified Green Offices. These offices will also receive special attention on the iSEE website and social media outlets.

Becoming an iSEE Certified Green Office requires only five basic commitments:

• Appoint a team member to be your Sustainability Ambassador. This person will act as a liaison with the iSEE program team – and will lead implementation of the Certified Green Office Program for your group, track your progress toward program goals, and promote sustainable awareness throughout the office.

• Adopt an office policy to request the use of the University of Illinois Car Pool office’s Sustainable Options and or smallest vehicle/s when office employees make car reservations for travel.

• Adopt an office policy requiring a minimum of 30% recycled-content and FSC certified printer paper.

• Identify, label and communicate the location of recycling stations (paper, bottles and cans) around the office/building and if needed request new bins by contacting Facilities & Services. Also, label bins with a printout of the acceptable materials list to ensure all recyclables make it into the appropriate containers.

• Adopt an office policy of turning off/unplugging all unnecessary equipment – lights, computers, printers, etc. – when not in use.

For more on enrollment, click here.

If you have any further questions, please contact Nishant Makhijani, iSEE's Sustainability Engagement Specialist.

The Certified Green Office Program (CGOP) under iSEE is going to be revamped and relaunched in the spring 2017 semester.

At the ECBS SWATeam initial meeting Marian Huhman was elected as a new chair. Recruting more proposals for education of other students about energy conservation was discussed.  The "Illini Lights Out" Program pilot last semester was very successful and should be a year-long program. Engaging the whole campus for the "Green Labs" Program is needed. More funding for energy conservation was discussed. The completion of 2015 iCAP tasks poster templete is expected by September 23.