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Projects Updates for Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

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  3. The SSC develops new process for facilitating discussions by committee

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

    The SSC developed a new process for facilitating detailed discussions by the committee.  They formed groups to cover standing topics, ad hoc topics, and project topics.  The groups are: Executive, Finance, Bylaws, Marketing, Funding Guidelines, Strategic Plan, Ethics/Code of conduct, F&S/SSC Process, Energy, Food/Waste, Water, Land, Education, and Transportation.  OS staff are represented on eight of these subgroups.

  4. SSC Continues Funding Efforts

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

    Energy Services requested clarification about the submittal process for SSC funding of energy projects. SSC’s Program Advisor met with the Energy Services team and F&S contacts to explain the process.

    Bicycle Intern Patrick Clark is developing the full proposal for bike parking to submit to SSC in February.  This proposal will include three phases to replace all donut-hole bike parking areas with the campus standards rack.  It will also include a request to fund additional Bike Fix-It stations on campus.

    SSC voted to extend the deadline for a pre-existing Bike Sharing Grant, which awarded $10,000, to November 30, 2012.

    As mentioned, the SSC awarded $250,000 toward the compost facility, pending the F-SCRAP grant.

    Staff participated in the six-hour SSC retreat on a weekend in January.  This event was very helpful in establishing strong working relationships within the SSC and developing priorities for process improvements during the spring. 

    Staff also participated in the brainstorming session related to the Sustainable Student Farm.  It was a very informative discussion and interesting to learn about their past experiences and plans for moving forward with changes in their mission and operations.

  5. Energy Displays and Metering Funding Letter

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

    This proposal seeks to install web-based display system for campus building energy consumption. The initial system will include information from 25 buildings as well as the Abbott power plant. Data will be available in real-time for buildings that have real-time metering, and monthly for other buildings; utilities included will be steam, chilled water and electricity. This project will also leverage funds from other project partners to make upgrades to building metering systems to provide real-time data for display and campus energy management use. Breakdown of funds is as follows: up to $50,000 for software purchase and install, up to $6750 for software maintenance, and up to $100,000 (this last portion in matching funds) for metering upgrades in initial buildings. Once the program is in place, ECI will work with project partners to arrange to display information on new or existing in-building displays as well as add information from other buildings. The Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $156,750.

    Attached Files: 

  6. Natural Resources Building Prairie Funding Agreement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Small Prairie at Natural Resources Building
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal seeks to support a prairie initiative at the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability. The institute will use its greenhouses to begin growing sustainable, native plants for use on campus. Additionally, INRS will design and plant a prairie landscape on the south side of the Natural Resource Building. This prairie will be maintained as a permanent exhibit for the public and featured during their annual open house, Naturally Illinois. A written and video instructional manual will be produced as a

    learning tool as an important element of this project, which will assist the campus and others in installing and maintaining other sustainable landscaping projects. This project will thus help meet the commitments made by the campus relating to sustainable landscaping, as part of the Climate Action Plan. The Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $20,000.

    Attached Files: 

  7. Campuswide Occupancy Sensors

    Associated Project(s): 
    Occupancy and Daylight Sensors
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    In 2008, $50,000 was awarded to Facilities and Services to install occupancy sensors in 272 rooms across 10 highly-visible campus buildings. Where in use, the automatic lighting controls reduce energy usage by 30% (total savings of $11,900/year plus inflation) and greenhouse gas emissions (by 88,000 lbs CO2, 323 lbs of NOx, and 1,079 lbs SOx per year). The sensors are a daily reminder to students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the University of Illinois’ commitment to sustainability.

    Attached Files: 

  8. ISTC Campus Water Use Study

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

    This proposal looks to reduce the usage of water on campus by conducting a study of the “true cost” of water used campus. The project first seeks to determine the quantity of water used and extrapolate the “true cost” of this water. From this point, the project wishes to study the quality of water currently being discharged as “blowdown” with the hope of finding a mechanism of reuse. With this data, pathways of water consumption reduction are expected to be identified. The identification of said pathways will allow for examination of differing methods of water use reduction. Following this, mechanisms of reuse of wastewater in areas such as landscape irrigation will be studied. The project is expected to then result in the ability of water to be reused in whatever locations are most cost-effective. The project itself is not going to result in any tangible change in the short-run, but it is expected to yield data that can be used by campus departments such as F&S for the eventual reduction of campus water-usage. Its goals fall into line with the Climate Action Plan, which outlines a 40% reduction of campus water usage by 2025. Thus, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $10,000. 

    Attached Files: 

  9. Green Cleaning Products and Practices Funding Letter

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Cleaning Products and Practices
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal seeks to provide funding to purchase and testing of the Activeion Ionator EXP Cleaning System to use and evaluate in daily cleaning operations in major buildings on the University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. This project will displace the use of chemicals for cleaning, reducing operating costs, natural resource use, and improving indoor air quality for all individuals on campus. This will thus help the University make its operations more sustainable, and Facilities and Services will also document their experience as a case study for other campus and community entities to emulate. On successful completion of the pilot, the Committee hopes to receive a proposal to help fund large-scale adoption of this cleaning system on campus. Thus, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding this proposal in the amount of $9,000.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Integrated Pest Management - Funding Letter

    Associated Project(s): 
    Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM)
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal looks to implement a two-year enhanced Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan to assist University Housing with pest management needs, while reducing pest management costs, reducing students’ exposure to pests and pesticides, and promoting environmental stewardship. The project goals include: (1) Collaboration on a pilot IPM plan between University Dining Services and Terminix to evaluate IPM practices and identify possible ways to reduce pesticide applications in the dormitories food service areas; (2) Developing educational materials for students, parents and others regarding pest management and notifications of any pest related issues (some materials will be used for University-owned apartment residents and others for dormitories) in collaboration with University Housing; The project lead currently has a $30,000 grant from USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture to promote school integrated pest management in Illinois. The Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of supporting a matching funds grant in the amount of $30,000 to be used only for activities at University-owned facilities at the Urbana campus.

    Attached Files: 

  12. Campus Bike Center Funding Letter

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal seeks to fund 50% of the cost of part-time shop manager position as transition assistance to become fully self-supporting. This grant will help the Campus Bike Project become a financially sound, self-sufficient, self-funded shop, where all operating costs are recouped through memberships and the sale of recycled refurbished bicycles, new and used parts and accessories. The Campus Bike project is a cooperative where students can learn how to repair and maintain their bike for transportation throughout the year. The campus bike project provides significant services toward increasing bicycle use on campus, and has received significant previous investment from F&S, the Committee and the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability. The Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $7,500.

    Attached Files: 

  13. Sustainability Studies in the Humanities Initiative

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Studies in the Humanities
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal seeks funding to establish the Sustainable Studies in the Humanities Initiative. This initiative is also being underwritten by the College of LAS and the School of Earth Systems, Society and the Environment, with the primary objectives of creating new courses offered in the humanities related to sustainability and contemporary environmental issues. The Committee feels that the humanities, in particular, are an area underserved by formal coursework options related to sustainability, and is thus supportive of this initiative. The funds provided by the Committee will allow for the creation of three additional courses (beyond the four otherwise possible through this initiative), as well as allow for the creation of a unifying web presence for the initiative. The Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $8,500.

    Attached Files: 

  15. Bike Sharing Feasibility Study

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bike Sharing Feasibility Study
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal seeks to conduct a feasibility study off different options for implementing a bike-sharing program at the University of Illinois. A feasibility study for this project is a necessary step before implementation of a campus bike sharing project can be considered, in line with the Illinois Climate Action Plan. University bike-sharing programs exist in different forms across the country and the challenge is finding a model that will be highly used by students as well as being mostly self-sustaining. Committee funds will be used to support a half-time summer intern as well as for other expenses relevant to the study, with any unspent funds held for implementation of improvements to campus bicycle parking infrastructure. The Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $10,000.

    Attached Files: 

  16. Composting Feasibility Study

    Associated Project(s): 
    Large-Scale Food Waste Composting
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal seeks to complete a feasibility study re: composting of campus food waste. The scope of work for this study includes evaluation of proposed composting sites and identification of the optimal location, specification of necessary site improvements, verification of analysis regarding program size and logistics and development of a program plan with capital equipment needs. This study will enable establishment of a food-waste program that will divert ~600 tons of foodwaste from the landfill annually (and accompanying methane and CO2 emissions), in support of the Illinois Climate Action Plan, and campus waste reduction goals. This project is also being supported by $7,400 funding from the Office of Sustainability. The Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $15,000.

    Attached Files: 

  17. Student Farm 2011 Grant - Funding Letter

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

    This proposal looks to further the University’s commitment to local food consumption through continued support the Sustainable Student Farm (SSF). The SSF began in 2009 with a grant from the Student Sustainability Committee to begin producing locally grown vegetables for the University of Illinois community. In the first season, the SSF produced nearly 25,000 pounds of produce and generated approximately $25,000 in revenue, primarily through sales to University of Illinois Dining Services for use in the University dining halls. The exceptionally hot summer of 2010, combined with the high time/labor demand of high tunnel construction and farm expansion, led to a disappointing harvest for the second growing season. This year, the SSF has enjoyed its first winter harvest season due to three new high tunnels. Through these season expansion techniques, along with increased mastery of farming practices, the SSF expects to have a bountiful and successful growing season. Funding for this proposal will bridge the gap between last season’s financial shortfalls and the revenue generated in 2011. The SSF will continue to work to increase crop revenue and educational outreach. As the University’s only current capacity for producing local produce for campus, the SSF is an essential component of increasing campus sustainability. Continuation of the SFF is essential to meeting these goals. Thus, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $10,000.

    Attached Files: 

  18. Student Weatherization Assessment Program Plan

    Associated Project(s): 
    Weatherization of Small Campus Buildings
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This pilot program will take place in the Spring 2011 and Fall 2011 semesters with the objective of creating and sustaining a student weatherization program.  The program will involve assessments of campus buildings, which will be performed and reported by teams of trained University of Illinois students. Facilities & Services will receive these weatherization reports and use them internally for project assessment and discussion with relevant teams. A letter of support from Facilities & Services is attached to this memorandum.

    Students will be trained to complete audits in order to obtain baseline data and make recommendations for weatherization improvements to Facilities & Services. Audit data will be entered into Excel spreadsheets, for example, to allow for of quantitative and qualitative analysis of results.

    Audit areas will include building envelope, lighting, water, and waste. Follow up audits will be conducted to evaluate the program’s success.  Information from these audits will create a valuable body of information to guide future sustainability initiatives.

    Details in this plan are drawn from similar successful programs at the University of California at Berkeley and Colorado University at Boulder.

    • The Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) will provide $20,000 in funding in order to:
    • Provide for a student intern to assist Facilities & Services in running the program.
    • Pay student teams to conduct assessments Meet miscellaneous costs, as needed, including expenses to assess successfulness of implemented recommendations, tools, equipment, etc.

    Facilities & Services will provide:

    •  A member of either the Maintenance or Energy Services division to supervise and provide resources to the intern coordinating the program.
    • Workers and materials necessary to implement improvements.
    Attached Files: 

  19. Allerton Geothermal Project Funding Letter

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal at Allerton Park
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal seeks to install a geothermal system at the Evergreen lodge and Retreat Center. The Evergreen Lodge is a 2828 sq. ft. structure used as lodging facilities for retreat center guests. The installation will result in energy savings of ~ $2,000 annually and provide the University with experience in handling geothermal installations – none of which are currently installed at the University. This project is also being supported by grant funds from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities. Committee funds will be utilized for purchase and installation of equipment, such as a ground source heat pump unit, as well as drilling of borehole heat exchange pipes. Additionally, Allerton park has agreed to install an on-site educational display about geothermal energy. The Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $18,000.

    Attached Files: 

  20. Solar Feasibility Study

    Associated Project(s): 
    SSC Solar Feasibility Study
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This proposal seeks to develop a list of campus buildings capable of hosting solar energy systems and conducting a detailed feasibility evaluation of five sites for installation of these systems.  Solar energy systems may be utilized for the generation of electricity or for the production of hot water for domestic use, and this study will examine both possibilities. Factors taken into account will be the building’s energy use profile and applications, the building characteristics, the surrounding environment, and the visibility to the student body. Additionally, the report will specify equipment and budget needs, as appropriate to prepare the projects for bid and implementation. Solar energy systems larger than those at the University of Illinois exist at over 70 institutions and the University has made a commitment to obtain 5% of total energy from renewable sources from 2015 and 25% by 2025, which will require the installation of solar energy systems on campus. Significant benefits to our education, research and outreach missions are also likely from these installations. Finally, the completion of this feasibility study will help enable the actual installation of these arrays as well as secure matching funds from sources such as the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding a grant in the amount of $9,900.

    Attached Files: 

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