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Projects Updates for Illini Lights Out

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  1. October 22, 2021 Illini Lights Out Results

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    The second Illini Lights Out event of the year was held on Friday, October 22nd, 2021. There were about 100 more volunteers than last time, with the total number of volunteers coming to 185 people! Volunteers shut off 3266 light bulbs and saved 5634 kWh of energy, 4 metric tons of CO2, and $474. Thanks so much to the volunteers who made this possible!

     

    The next Illini Lights Out event will be Friday, November 12th at 5:30pm. Students, sign up at the link below and meet at the Foreign Language Building lobby!

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehaxolPWKdnvOVe2T61XcjXHrL16oC...

  2. September 17, 2021 Illini Lights Out Results

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    Illini Lights Out was relaunched for Fall 2021 and the first event was September 17, 2021. This event had a great turnout and was very successful! Eighty-six student volunteers shut off 2,636 light bubs and saved 4547.1 kWh of energy, 3.144 metric tons of CO2, and $382. Thank you volunteers for the impact you have made!

    The next Illini Lights Out event will be Friday, October 22 at 5:30 pm. Students, sign up at the link below and meet at the Foreign Language Building Lobby!

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehaxolPWKdnvOVe2T61XcjXHrL16oC...

  3. Campus Sustainability Month is almost here!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Sustainability Month
    Campus Sustainability Month - Waste Reduction Challenge
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)
    Illini Lights Out
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series

    Campus Sustainability Month is right around the corner and we are very excited to invite you to a series of events throughout the entire month of October! Starting this week, Wednesday, September 29 at 6:00 PM, Dr. Ann Perry-Witmer is hosting the next TED Talk: Eco-Edition series over Zoom. She will present a pre-recorded TED Talk and lead a discussion on sustainable decision-making in everyday life - you won’t want to miss out. Register HERE. 

    Next, back by popular demand, the second Waste Reduction Challenge begins on Monday, October 4. Participants track items they throw away from October 4 – October 31 to learn about and reduce individual waste generation as the month progresses. It is a fun and results-driven challenge with a supportive community. Throughout the month, we send helpful tips and tricks to make it as easy and informative as possible. Sign up HERE.

    Other events in October include:

    • Green Quad Day – October 7 from 10 – 4 PM
    • Virtual Solar Open House – Topia online platform – October 15 from 1 – 2:30 PM
    • Campus trash cleanup – Engineering Quad - October 15 from 3:30 – 5 PM
    • TED Talk: Eco-Edition – Sustainable Economy with Alexa Smith – October 19 from 6 – 7 PM. Register for the Zoom event HERE.
    • Campus Sustainability Celebration – NCSA (1205 W Clark St, Urbana) – October 20 from 1 – 4 PM
    • Illini Lights Out – Foreign Language Building – October 22 from 5:30 – 7 PM. Sign up HERE.  
    • Student Sustainability Summit: Research Symposium – Campus Instructional Facility 4029 - October 26 from 5 – 8 PM 

    Check out more information and other Campus Sustainability Month events on iSEE’s Sustainability Calendar HERE. If you are aware of a sustainability event that is not listed on the calendar, let us know!  

    Start filling your calendars – there are many opportunities to get involved, make a difference, and meet new people. Remember, while we have sustainability events all year long, Campus Sustainability Month is a month-long opportunity to highlight our environmental pride, connect with others, and increase participation in sustainability-related events by the U of I community and beyond. Get involved and come show your support! As always, we are here to answer any questions and guide you in the right direction.

    Have a great week and happy Campus Sustainability Month!

  5. Illini Lights Out 9/17/21!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    Students ~ join us for Illini Lights Out on Friday, 9/17/21 at 5:30 PM at the Foreign Languages Building! We will meet in the lobby where you will receive instructions before going out to shut off the lights. Let's reduce our campus's energy and environmental footprint together! Come by yourself or bring a friend or group, and don't forget to wear a mask! 

    Registration is not necessary, but encouraged!

    Check out the iSEE website for more information! 

     

  6. Illini Lights out at Home!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    Illini Lights Out Goes Home! 

    Help us turn off lights and electronics to reduce energy use and fight climate change! ILO Goes Home builds on the monthly student event that has saved energy, emissions, and money on campus. Join the Illinois community and do your part for the Earth wherever you are!
    5:30-7 p.m. | Friday, April 17

  7. Illini Lights Out goes home

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out
    Earth Month

    You can start this weekend by participating in two virtual events. On Friday we're debuting "Illini Lights Out Goes Home" to encourage people to shut off their own lights at home to save energy. And we ask you to join the national Earth Hour celebration on Saturday by going dark for one hour from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Learn more about both events below.

     

    In accordance with campus safety guidelines, iSEE had to suspend all in-person events this semester, including the Spring 2020 Illini Lights Out series and activities related to Earth Month in April. A March 26 symposium on polar exploration, print culture and climate change, co-sponsored by iSEE and the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, is among hundreds of campus events also postponed.

    But we are transitioning some of our Earth Month activities to an online format, and in the meantime our calendar has other ways for you to celebrate sustainability from the comforts of home!

    We will keep the Illinois Sustainability Calendar as up-to-date as possible, so please check back regularly there and in our upcoming newsletters for details! In ILO-goes-home.pngthe meantime, we want to extend thanks for your patience during these challenging times. We will continue to promote sustainability and the environment wherever we can!

     

    Check It Out: iSEE Sustainability Events Going Virtual!

  8. Illini Lights Virtual Event!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    Illini Lights Out Goes Home! 

    Since we can't participate in our usual ILO event by switching off thousands of bulbs to save energy and emissions on campus, we ask that ALL Illinois community members do their part for the Earth by shutting off unused lights and electronics — wherever you are! Commit to participate by clicking the link above.
    5:30-7 p.m. | Friday, March 27

  9. Illini Lights Out Event!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    Illini Lights Out! 

    Help turn off thousands of lights to reduce energy consumption on campus. Sign up to participate in iSEE's Illini Lights Out (ILO) and demonstrate your commitment to fighting climate change and saving our planet!  


    5:30-7 p.m. | Friday, March 6 | Foreign Language Building Lobby

  11. Happy Sustainability Week!!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Sustainability Month
    Energy Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP)
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Illini Lights Out

    Join iSEE, the Student Sustainability Committee and Facilities & Services for a "plogging" fun run/walk, a tour of Abbott Power Plant, a celebration event with organizations and RSOs that includes the Energy Conservation Incentive Program awards and updates on Illinois Climate Action Plan goals, a socially responsible investing program, and the popular Illini Lights Out energy savings event.

     

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

     

    Sustainability Week Events Oct. 21-27

  15. ECBS SWATeam Meeting Minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Green Lab Program
    Illini Lights Out
    Funding for Sustainability

    At the ECBS SWATeam's third meeting of FY17, the members discussed methods for how the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) can become more sustainable. For example, there are lighting opportunities at Irwin Practice Facility and at Atkins tennis center. In addiiton, Mike Marquissee, director of Budget, Research and Planning for energy services, presented a mini-lecture (also attached) to the team on their funding options and predicted budget for FY18. The SWATeam then discussed how the grant cuts will impact their iCap progress, as well as what needs to be prioritized in terms of funding. Finally, updates on programs such as the Green Labs Coordinator and Illini Lights out were presented. 

    Attached Files: 

  16. ECBS SWATeam Meeting Minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Illini Lights Out
    Green Lab Program
    AFMFA- Deferred Maintenance Funds
    Energy Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP)

    The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) is looking to become more involved with the SWATeams and sustainability on campus. ECBS proposed ideas such as decreasing refrigerator usage, making a climate action plan specifically for DIA, and promoting recycling at tailgates. Illini Lights Out had their first event on September 29, and it was a success. 284 light switches were turned off in 13 different buildings. The Green Labs Coordinator position is slowly making progress, but there is a concern with funding. Updates on the ECIP were made, and there is a push being made for mid-year checkpoints in the future. ECBS also discussed if AFMFA projects could be redefined in order to do more maintenance-based projects. 

    Attached Files: 

  17. ECBS SWATeam Meeting Minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Illini Lights Out
    Green Lab Program
    Eco-Olympics

    The Energy Conservation and Building Standards SWATeam gathered for the first meeting of the FY2017 on September 12. The team briefly reflected on the progress made thus far (e.g. Zero Net Growth policy was passed in 2015 and a 30% campus-wide energy reduction goal was achieved 3 years early). Updates on current projects were also presented, such as on the new leadership of the Illini Lights Out program. 

    Attached Files: 

  18. ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation recommendation - Transmittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)

    Following the completion of iWG assessment, the SWATeam recommendation ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation was transmitted to iSEE.

    For future updates, please refer to Illini Lights Out.

    See iWG assessment of ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation here.

    See SWATeam recommendation ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation here.

  19. ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation recommendation - Assessment with all comments

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Illini Lights Out

    The iCAP Working Group (iWG) met on May 2nd, 2017 to discuss the ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation recommendation and started the assessment of this recommendation. Their official comment was:

    "This is an important part of the iCAP and iSEE should take on long-term management and coordination of this program. Moving forward, data on total lights shut off should be collected and shared with building occupants and an educational component should be developed. Perhaps a competitive aspect for participation could be added as well."

    See the attached file for the complete assessment of this recommendation complete with official comments from all the iWG members.

    See SWATeam recommendation ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation here.

    Attached Files: 

  20. Illini Lights Out

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The ECBS SWATeam would like to be able to continue the ‘Illini Lights Out’ program and expand it to one Friday night each month during the academic year. Interest in doing so is based on the phenomenal success of the pilot ‘Illini Lights Out’ conducted on April 15th, 2016. In an Illini Lights Out event, pairs or small teams of volunteer students are accompanied by campus security/other personnel (as necessary) and are assigned buildings to audit on the main Quad to turn off non-essential lights in classrooms/bathrooms not in use. Volunteers meet at a designated location to sign in, review safety protocols and receive their tally sheets. Students use these sheets to indicate any empty rooms where they turned off lights. After the audit is complete, students return all forms to designated staff and are then eligible for a complimentary meal (pizza/burritos) in exchange for their assistance. This event both results in direct energy conservation impact on campus and also helps to inspire students to make small behavioral changes to their routine to enhance sustainability more broadly and throughout life. Buildings audited in the pilot project included Altgeld Hall, English Building, Lincoln Hall, Gregory Hall, Daniel Kinley Hall, Foreign Languages Building, Davenport Hall, and Noyes Laboratory. Given that we would plan to audit a similar number of buildings each event this year, it is expected that 16–24 student volunteers are needed per event. This proposal directly funds: 1) Print and digital advertising for volunteer recruitment 2) Volunteer incentives.

    Attached Files: 

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