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  1. Engagement SWATeam Support of ISG Resolution

    Associated Project(s): 
    Broaden Sustainability Education

    The Education and Engagement SWATeams initiated conversation with Jessica Nicholson, representative of the Illinois Student Government (ISG). The ISG currently has a resolution to create a 3 credit-hour Sustainability Gen-Ed requirement for students in all colleges across the university, which is soon headed to the Committee on Educational Policy. The teams plan to attend public comment in support of this resolution.

  3. Sustainability Roadmap for the University

    Associated Project(s): 
    Broaden Sustainability Education

    Student members of the Engagement Team, Hiba Ahmed and Miranda Johnson, are currently working on crafting a sustainability roadmap of resources for the university, which the team can utilize for our future recommendations and projects. Ahmed is specifically working on analyzing our own campus resources and Johnson is focusing on the success of other midwestern universities in promoting sustainability engagement.

  4. Sustainability Orientation

    Associated Project(s): 
    Broaden Sustainability Education

    Sammy Yoo, member of the Engagement Team, met with Gina-Lee Olukoya, Associate Dean of Students, to discuss sustainability orientation for incoming students to the university. The current initiative for the university is to centralize freshman orientation programs from separate college leadership to uniform, university-wide programming. The Engagement Team plans to advocate for sustainability to be integrated into this new framework.

     

    Yoo has also been in contact with existing programs, including Inbound and Rise, to expedite sustainability inclusion in freshman orientation.

  5. iSEE Give Pulse Channel Created

    Associated Project(s): 
    Local Collaborations through Give Pulse

    Kate Gardiner and Keilin Jahnke, members of the Engagement SWATeam, have created a channel for iSEE under the GivePulse University of Illinois channel. They have incorporated opportunities such as the CU Mobile Farms project and Red Oaks Rain Garden, but are seeking more events and opportunities to include on the channel.

  10. iSEE Plans 2 Environmental Leadership Workshops for Undergrads This Spring

    Associated Project(s): 
    Environmental Leadership Program (ELP)
    Education iCAP Team

    The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a new initiative launched this spring by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE). Targeted at undergraduate students, the Program will include pre-professional workshops, field trips, and networking opportunities. Developing an undergraduate leadership program was a key educational objective in the Illinois Climate Action Plan.

    “iSEE’s previous efforts have increased the amount of sustainability and environmental content in the U of I curriculum as we partnered with academic units from across campus on a sustainability minor, environmental writing instruction, individual classes, and course development opportunities,” said Gillen Wood, the Institute’s Associate Director for Education & Outreach. “The ELP takes a slightly different approach: We are creating a ‘value-add’ — beyond coursework — for students interested in more practical experience on how to effectively advocate for the environment.”

    iSEE is piloting two ELP workshops in Spring 2021: March 24 on environmental policy; and April 13 on corporate sustainability. Up to 25 students may register for each event, which are scheduled on campus non-instructional break days.

    These workshops will allow students to develop their sustainability leadership and communication skills, to learn about relevant career paths in sustainability, and to establish valuable networking connections. Successful professionals in the environmental policy and corporate sustainability fields will lead the sessions.
    More details will be forthcoming on the workshops, but registration is now open. Visit the Program page for more information and for links to register! >>>

  12. Energy iCAP Team Meeting Minutes from 2-10-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building Envelope Pilot Project
    Clean Energy Plan
    Implement Energy Standards
    Improve Space Utilization
    Energy Conservation Efforts

    The Energy iCAP Team had a meeting on Feb. 10th where student member, Brinn McDowell, shared a presentation on calculated energy savings from green lab protocols that could greatly contribute towards energy conservation efforts. Updates were give on the Building Envelope Pilot Project, which is anticipated to start in March with several Energy iCAP Team students participating. Among other topics of discussion were ways to enforce compliance with state energy standards, to cooperate with student leaders across the Engineering, Architecture, and Design disciplines, and to condition vacated spaces in a time of distance-learning and -working. The agenda, meeting minutes, and chat log are attached below!

    Attached Files: 

  13. Transportation SWATeam Meeting: 10 February 2021

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Electric Vehicle (EV) Task Force
    Fleet Replacement Plans
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike
    Encourage Telecommuting
    2014 Campus Bike Plan [ARCHIVED]
    Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of University-owned pavement
    Offset Emissions from Plane Trips

    The Transportation SWATeam met on Wednesday, February 2021 at 10AM to discuss the following:

    • Intern Solicitation Process (3.4, 3.4.1, 3.4.3)
    • EV Dashboard Data (loosely related to 3.1)
    • Initialization of EV Task Force (3.3)
    • EV Task Force Member Suggestions (3.3) - IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WOULD LIKE TO BE PUT ONTO A LIST OF INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN EVs, PLEASE CONTACT JULIJAS2@ILLINOIS.EDU
    • Fleet Vehicle Usage (3.1)
    • Air Travel Emissions (3.5)
    • Roundtable Discussion:
      • 3.2: Increase PCI Index to 65 by FY25
      • 3.4: Reduce Driving on Campus and Staff SOV trips 10% by 2025.
      • 3.4.2: Continue to Implement Bike Plan
    Attached Files: 

  14. Transportation SWATeam Meeting: 10 February 2021

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Electric Vehicle (EV) Task Force
    Fleet Replacement Plans
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike
    Encourage Telecommuting
    2014 Campus Bike Plan [ARCHIVED]
    Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of University-owned pavement
    Offset Emissions from Plane Trips

    The Transportation SWATeam met on Wednesday, February 2021 at 10AM to discuss the following:

    • Intern Solicitation Process (3.4, 3.4.1, 3.4.3)
    • EV Dashboard Data (loosely related to 3.1)
    • Initialization of EV Task Force (3.3)
    • EV Task Force Member Suggestions (3.3) - IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WOULD LIKE TO BE PUT ONTO A LIST OF INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN EVs, PLEASE CONTACT JULIJAS2@ILLINOIS.EDU
    • Fleet Vehicle Usage (3.1)
    • Air Travel Emissions (3.5)
    • Roundtable Discussion:
      • 3.2: Increase PCI Index to 65 by FY25
      • 3.4: Reduce Driving on Campus and Staff SOV trips 10% by 2025.
      • 3.4.2: Continue to Implement Bike Plan
    Attached Files: 

  16. Archived project description

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Investment Policy

    Socially responsible investing (SRI) is investment that attempts to balance out the financial and social benefits of an investment strategy. As part of the University's overall commitment to sustainable action, SRI practices will be encouraged.

  17. Meet and Greet Event 2-8-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)

    A re-launch event ("Meet and Greet") of SSLC was held on 2-8-21. See the recording here.

    =========================================

    Hello! 

    We are writing to invite you, on behalf of your environmental group, to attend a virtual “Meet and Greet” event on Monday, February 8, from 4-5 p.m. The purpose is to come together to discuss the function, structure, and purpose of the Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC) and relaunch the group. This organization is designed to provide an opportunity for sharing, collaboration, and centralized communication to streamline campus sustainability outreach and programs between student environmental groups and iSEE (Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment). SSLC can also function as a way for RSOs to receive help and support for projects and outreach.

    Key topics that will be discussed: 

    • What is the purpose of the SSLC? 
    • How can the SSLC benefit student groups and what is the benefit of participation?
    • Who should be a member of the SSLC?
    • How should the SSLC be structured and led?

    Your input and participation are essential to the success of this group and anyone is welcome to attend. We hope to see you at this discussion on February 8. Let us know if you have any questions, comments, or feedback in the meantime. See you soon!

  18. Weekly Update: Bike Maintenance 101

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Slow week, of course. Housekeeping abounded: student staff meeting, an interview, safety checks.

     

    This week we have our Basic Maintenance 101 class on Wednesday evening. Other than that, it’s business as usual. The extreme cold will likely keep people away but this week also marks a relaxing of COVID restrictions, so we’ll see how those two balance each other out.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 10
    Sales: $105
    Misc: $60

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Manager

  19. Meeting with project leader and F&S

    Associated Project(s): 
    Meadow at Orchard Downs

    Izabelle Jaquet met with Morgan White and Brent Lewis at F&S to talk about the steps forward for the meadow at Orchard Downs project.  Izabelle is the project leader, in the RSO, From the Ground Up, which meets weekly on Sundays.  She had previously talked with Jamie Ellis (from INHS) and Eric Green (the RSO's advisor), after taking over the project when Nicole Gamble left campus.

    We shared related files, including the attached file Brent had from a discussion with Housing back in 2019. We also discussed possible opportunities for collaboration, with groups like Red Bison and the Master Naturalists. There is also a possiblity that From the Ground Up may request a scope change to focus on a smaller section of the low-mow zone and a schedule extension due to the difficulty with coordianting events during the pandemic.

    Izabelle is going to work with her group to finalize their list of proposed plants, reach out to potential collaborative partners, and identify who should be included in a follow up call with F&S and INHS in late February. 

    Attached Files: 

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