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  1. Final report

    Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most established technologies for processing waste organics. This study investigated the feasibility of installing an Anaerobic Digester to produce renewable energy from available streams of organic waste (feedstock) within the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. This study assumed that one on-site digester would be installed in the University’s South Farms. The best digester and energy conversion options were explored while considering UIUC’s existing resources and operations, as well as the goals stated in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP).

  2. Potential FY15 project

    Ben,      The first thing that comes to mind for me is: what do we need to do to get some solar installed on campus roofs?   I think there is a lot of potential, but also a lot of hurdles.  For example, which roofs can support the weight of the modules?   Which can be reinforced to support the extra weight?    This is a nice mechanical engineering problem.         This is probably just the tip of the iceberg.  I think there are many hurdles to installing solar on roofs, but I am sure some roofs are going to be able to jump these hurdles with some study.  F & S has already had some requests for installing solar on roofs, so they problem already have a list of things they need to understand before they would be comfortable with proceeding with such a project.      I intend to spend some time on this issue in the coming months myself, along with my SWATeam.   Scott Willenbrock

  3. Earth Week 2014 website

    earth week 2014

    Earth Week 2014

    The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invites you to join us in celebrating Earth Week this April 21st through the 26th. Earth Week is a time to enact change and real movement towards consciousness about how our decisions affect our campus environment and good ol' Mother Earth. Whether you're already a passionate environmentalist or just looking to have some April fun, we hope to see you all out and about showing the Earth some serious love this week!



    Thank you to UIUC Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS), the Institute for Sustainability, Energy & Environment, and all of our co-sponsors and partners.

    Check out the full detailed schedule of events below. Stay connected on our Facebook event page!


    Clothing Swap Collection: Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18
    April 17th: Drop off at University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Urbana, IL
    April 18th: Drop off at Main Quad, Anniversary Plaza 
    Clothes can be recycled, too! Do some spring-cleaning and drop off your gently used clothing – then swap out your donations for other students’ items. Every item you donate gets you one swap at Monday’s Clothing Swap & Drive. Choose to receive swapping rights for your items, or just to directly donate to the Champaign Salvation Army. Non-swap donations are welcome at the bin at the Y all week through Friday, April 25th. APO members will receive service points! Co-sponsored by APO Service Fraternity and SECS.

    Build-a-Bike Raffle:
    Entry all week at almost every event!
    Final drawing at 5:45pm during Veggie Burger Cook-Off, Friday April 25th, Illini Grove Pavilion 
    SECS Earth Weekers teamed up with the Campus Bike Shop to build a beautiful bike with their very own Earth-lovin’ hands – and now it can be all yours! And with the opportunity to enter the raffle at almost every Earth Week event, your chances of winning are sky high. Be on the lookout for event-specific codes and links to submit your entry each time. One entry per guest per event. Must be present at drawing to win. Entries are FREE!

    Pledge Wall:
    April 21st: YMCA, April 22nd-24th: Main Quad, & April 25th: Illini Grove
    What’s your environmental pledge? Make it known on our Earth Week Pledge Wall! Share your pledge (for this week or beyond) about how you’re making a difference environmentally or what inspires you to change. We’ll be stationed at various Earth Week events throughout the week, as well as on the Main Quad.

    Monday, April 21:

    9-11:30am: iCAP Forum
    Illini Union, Rooms A&B, 1401 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 
    Join iSEE and the Sustainability Working Advisory Teams (SWATeams) to learn about the progress the campus has made in meeting the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) goals, and to provide input into how the campus should move forward in the arena of sustainability. The program will consist of a light breakfast, overview presentations by the iSEE Associate Director of Campus Sustainability and SWATeam representatives, and roundtable discussions.

    12n-1pm: UC Energy Star Challenge Lunch
    Illini Union, General Lounge (210), 1401 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL

    12n-4pm: Clothing Swap & Drive
    University YMCA, Latzer Hall, 1001 S. Wright Street, Urbana, IL 
    All of last week’s donations will be ready for picking at this APO + SECS swapmeet! Latzer Hall will look like your favorite thrift store, where you can swap out each clothing item you donated for something “new.” All leftover items will be donated to the Champaign Salvation Army at the end of the week. Non-swap donations are welcome at the bin at the Y all week through Friday, April 25th.

    2pm-5pm: Sustainability Symposium
    Illini Union, Rooms A&B, 1401 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 
    Check out the progress on the latest sustainable campus initiatives! Presentations and poster session from the Institute for Sustainability, Energy & Environment and the Student Sustainability Committee. Light refreshments will be provided.

    6pm-7pm: DIY Green Supplies
    University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Urbana, IL 
    Give your cleaning and beauty supplies a green makeover! Join us for a student-led lesson in Do-It-Yourself environmentally friendly supplies. Learn how a few simple ingredients can become your new go-to daily products. Please bring along empty and clean containers to house your creations - glass jars, tupperware, plastic bottles, etc. Led by Jola Szkodon & SECS
    RSVP REQUIRED online

    7pm-9pm: "Symphony of the Soil" Film Screening
    W-109 Turner Hall

    Learn about the importance of the complex relationships within the stuff beneath our feet! Hosted by the Soil & Water Conservation Society. $3 suggested donation to benefit the RSO - and to cover popcorn!

    8pm-9pm: Earth Hour
    Go dark to go green! Switch off all non-essential lights and electronics from 8-9pm, and take an hour to send some respect to good ol’ Mother Earth. All are welcome to partake, especially University Housing and Greek Houses. 
     

    Tuesday, April 22: (Earth Day)

    11am-2pm: Environmental Expo
    Illini Union, Courtyard Café, 1401 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 
    Watch the Courtyard Café be transformed into a mini Quad Day – exclusively featuring environmental RSOs and local sustainable organizations! Pass through and learn about more ways to get involved with all things environmental on- and off-campus. Talk with reps, grab some info, and even partake in crafts like DIY planting!

    5:15pm-6:30pm: Earth Week Chat with IEC 
    University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Urbana, IL 

    Looking to learn more about environmental policy and current issues? Stop by the Y to join in on the conversation with Jen Walling, visiting us from the Illinois Environmental Council. Have your Qs answered and your opinions shared - and grab some free food! RSVP online

    6pm-7:30pm: Illinois Sustainable Technology Center Sustainability Film Festival “Living Downstream”
    Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 South Gregory St., Urbana, IL
    This poetic film follows Sandra during one pivotal year as she travels across North America, working to break the silence about cancer and its environmental links. After a routine cancer screening, Sandra receives some worrying results and is thrust into a period of medical uncertainty. Free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and seating is first come, first served. Films will be followed by discussions with expert guest speakers.

    8pm-10pm: Bidder 70 Movie
    Main Quad near Anniversary Plaza (Illini Union)
    Join SECS for an outdoor screening of Bidder 70 on this beautiful night of Earth Day! You won’t want to miss this compelling story of one student’s act of civil disobedience towards climate justice. We’ll be watching on the big screen at the main quad near Anniversary Plaza (Illini Union). Bring a blanket and some buddies! Stay updated on the Facebook event in case of rainy backup location at the University YMCA.


    Wednesday, April 23:

    10am–11am: Campus Wide Bicycle Census
    Urbana, IL—Every Bike Counts. Facilities and Services at the University of Illinois is partnering with Champaign County Bikes to count every bike on campus. The census will take place on Wednesday, April 23 from 10-11AM. The bicycle data collected is critical for future university decision-making and planning including: determining the location and quantity of additional bicycle parking needed to meet demand, estimating the increasing number of cyclists on campus, and prioritizing bicycle infrastructure projects. Volunteers are needed to help with the count and can register at tinyurl.com/kcbc4t4. Please contactbike@illinois.edu for additional information.

    11am-3pm: Bike Tune-Ups & Blend-Ups
    Anniversary Plaza on the Quad (Behind Illini Union)
    Bring your bike by for the cheapest tune up in town! Tune ups from Bike Face start at just $5. In need of a rad refreshment on your way to class? SECS has got you covered! Use your own two legs to blend up a sustainable smoothie on our student-built Bike Blender. Choose from local dairy, juice and fruits (plenty o’ vegan options!) to create a $2 smoothie - ingredients brought to you by Common Ground Food Co-op. All proceeds will benefit Bike Face and SECS respectively. 

    12n-1pm: ISTC Sustainable Seminar Series
    Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, SJW conference room 1 E. Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, IL 
    Presented by Margaret Guerriero - Director of the Land and Chemicals Division, USEPA
    Born in the wake of elevated concern about environmental pollution, EPA was established on December 2, 1970 to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal statutes pertaining to research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection of air, water and land. Throughout the years, EPA has incorporated the concept of sustainability into many of its programs. Margaret Guerriero will be discussing the top ten ways EPA uses the principles of sustainability to accomplish its mission to protect human health and the environment. This webinar will be broadcast live and also archived on our websitewww.istc.illinois.edu for later viewing. If you cannot attend the event at ISTC, you may view the webinar live by registering at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/419336127. 

    2:30pm-3pm: Chancellor Sustainability Discussion
    Illini Union, Colonial Room 1401 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 

    Take advantage of this opportunity to directly connect with Chancellor Phyllis Wise! Hear a bit about her role in campus sustainability efforts, and come prepared with your own questions about the University. 

    5:30-6:00 Conservation Reception for Craig Cox at the Alice Campbell Hall hosted by the Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Program in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences in honor of Earth Day in partnership with the Student Chapter of the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Society, the Agriculture Watershed Institute, Faith in Place, Illinois Stewardship Alliance and Prairie Rivers Network!   The event is free and open to the public.  Free parking will be available after 5.00 in lot D22 904 W. Oregon.  

    6:00-6:50: Craig Cox Senior Vice President of the Environmental Working Group will be at the Alice Campbell Hall to discuss how the elimination of direct payments to agriculture and their replacement with programs that provide revenue and price guarantees will affect taxpayers, farm income, and resource conservation.  He’ll explain how the recent Farm Bill fixed some glaring problems associated with crop insurance programs by establishing a quid pro quo between farmers and taxpayers by asking farmers to take steps to cut soil erosion on their most vulnerable cropland, protect wetlands and refrain from breaking out native grassland and prairie in return for crop insurance premium subsidies and other federal farm program benefits.  He will consider whether these provisions offer sufficient protection for working lands at a time when high crop prices, biofuel mandates and competition for land have spurred substantial intensification and expansion of row crop production that is tied to soil degradation, water pollution and loss of habitat.  Craig, who has spent his life working for conservation and worked on the last four farm bills, will discuss what will be needed to harmonize agriculture and the environment in this challenging century. If you’d like to meet with Craig during his visit contact mwander@illinois.edu.

    6pm-7:30pm: Illinois Sustainable Technology Center Sustainability Film Festival “Terra Blight”
    Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 South Gregory St., Urbana, IL
    Terra Blight is a documentary exploring America’s consumption of computers and the hazardous waste we create in pursuit of the latest technology. Terra Blight traces the life cycle of computers from creation to disposal and juxtaposes the disparate worlds that have computers as their center. From a 13-year-old Ghanaian who smashes obsolete monitors to salvage copper to a 3,000-person video game party in Texas,Terra Blight examines the unseen realities of one of the most ubiquitous toxic wastes on our planet. Free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and seating is first come, first served. Films will be followed by discussions with expert guest speakers. 

    7pm-8pm: Keynote Speaker Stephen Ritz
    Student Dining and Residential Programs Building (SDRP) 2025 Multipurpose Room, 301 E. Gregory Drive, Champaign, IL 
    Join us in welcoming Stephen Ritz, a teacher and activist from the South Bronx who believes that students shouldn’t have to leave their community to live, learn, and earn in a better one. Stephen will document his journey as a classroom teacher turned urban farmer and how the mantra of "no child left behind" can include "no child left inside." Thirty-thousand pounds of vegetables later, his favorite crop is "organically grown citizens." It's all about planting seeds - seeds of hope, engagement and opportunity! Learn about his innovative work and be inspired by his passion that’s making a difference. Q&A after presentation. Free and open to the public. View TED talk.


    Thursday, April 24:

    12n-1pm: ISTC Sustainable Seminar Series – iSEE a Sustainable Campus
    Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, SJW Conference Room, 1 E. Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, IL
    Presented by Ben McCall - Associate Director for Campus Sustainability, Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and the Environment (iSEE), Learn about an overview of iSEE, a look at how well our campus is meeting the targets set out for 2015 in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP), and a vision of how our campus will set concrete plans in place to meet our long-term sustainability goals, including carbon neutrality by 2050. If you cannot attend the event at ISTC you may view the webinar live by registering athttps://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/869934591. The webinar will also be archived on www.istc.illinois.edufor later viewing.

    3pm-4pm: Facilities & Services Utilities Master Plan
    University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, 
    Urbana, IL 
    As part of Earth Week on the Urbana campus, Facilities & Services will provide an update on the Utilities Master Plan from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 at the University YMCA (1001 South Wright Street). The plan examines university energy production and distribution systems, integrating with the energy conservation targets and strategies outlined by the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP).  The presentation will focus on the Utilities Master Plan’s current progress, highlighting the tools and processes being used to meet desired campus outcomes related to projected growth and associated energy demand.

    6pm-7:30pm: Illinois Sustainability Technology Center Sustainability Film Festival “Waste=Food”
    Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 South Gregory St., Urbana, IL
    WASTE = FOOD explores this revolutionary "cradle to cradle" (as opposed to "cradle to grave") concept through interviews with its leading proponents, American architect William McDonough and German ecological chemist Michael Braungart, coauthors of Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. Their ideas are increasingly being embraced by major corporations and governments worldwide, unleashing a new, ecologically-inspired industrial revolution. Free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and seating is first come, first served. Films will be followed by discussions with expert guest speakers.

    8pm-10pm: SECS Benefit Concert
    Red Herring, 1209 W. Oregon, Urbana 
    Come out and share a night with fellow music and Earth lovers at one of the hippest spots in town! Proceeds will benefit the University YMCA and their funding of SECS projects toward a more sustainable Earth. $5 suggested donation. Stay tuned for the official lineup of local CU bands. Doors open at 7:30pm. List of bands include Ashland, 
    The Ars Nova, Illini Contraband, Justin Rondon, and Alec's Band..

     

    Friday, April 25:

    12n-1pm: ISTC Sustainable Seminar Series  Agricultural Plastics: Progress and Barriers in Closing the Loop
    Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, SJW conference room, 1 E. Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, IL 
    Presented by Roger Springman - Agricultural Plastics Consultant (Madison, WI)
    Plastic provides agriculture with many options to cost-effectively store commodities, ensile forage, contain fertilizers/pesticides, protect crops, etc. But, at the end of its life cycle, agricultural plastic is more likely to become a waste than a resource. What is happening? Why hasn't more progress been made? Are there any technologies or break-throughs on the horizon? This seminar will examine the current state-of-the art and offer directions for the future. If you cannot attend the event at ISTC, view the webinar live by registering athttps://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/577612959. The webinar will also be archived on www.istc.illinois.edufor later viewing.

    3pm-6pm: SECS Veggie Burger Cook-Off
    Illini Grove Pavilion 
    Spend an afternoon outside with the SECS Sustainable Landscapes & Food project group! Each team or individual enters their recipe into the competition for best Earth Week veggie burger of 2014. Grills will be available for use at Illini Grove. Remember to keep it veg and be creative - no store bought burgers, please! Even if you're not competing, come hang out with us and some locally donated snacks. Make sure to sign uphere. so we know you're competing! Full list of rules here. 

    5:45pm: Build-a-Bike Raffle
    Must be present to win
    You’ve waited all week – it’s time to draw the winner of the Build-a-Bike! Built with love by the SECS Earth Week team and the patient guidance of the Campus Bike Shop, this beauty will be matched with its new owner when the raffle winner is drawn. Your journey in sustainable transportation can begin immediately as you join us on the Bike Face Friday Ride!

    6pm-7pm: Bike Face Friday Ride
    Leave from Illini Grove
    Bike Face enjoys a group bike ride through town every Friday – and this week you can join them! Meet us with your bike (and helmet) at Illini Grove and we’ll tour the streets of Champaign-Urbana with this bike-lovin’ RSO!

     

    Saturday, April 26:

    9:30am-2pm: Prosperity Gardens Workday
    Prosperity Gardens, First Street, Champaign, IL 
    Looking for a hands-on way to give back to Mother Earth? Join us for this volunteer workday at one of Champaign’s fastest growing urban farms. We’ll get a tour of the garden sites and help out with preparing for the busiest time of the year – growing season. Lunch will be provided. RSVP Required online.

  4. Consideration of FY15 Sustainability Fellows program

    Dear SWATeam Chairs,   Last year F&S, in collaboration with iSEE's predecessor, started a new program for Sustainability Faculty Fellows.  The idea was to engage our faculty in addressing sustainability-related issues that directly impact the F&S mission.  F&S generated several potential project ideas, and then an RFP was issued to the campus community; faculty could propose to tackle these projects themselves (with summer salary support) and could also request funding for an RA to support the work.   We're looking into the possibility of running this program again for the next academic year, and I wanted to solicit your (and your team's) suggestions for potential projects that F&S and iSEE could consider including in the RFP.  The ideal project would be one where a particular topic really needs to be studied in more depth to facilitate campus sustainability efforts related to F&S, and where there might be faculty on our campus who could complete such studies in a one-year period.   This is not intended for pure research, but more for applied research, feasibility studies, analysis, etc.   If you and your team have any ideas (even if they're not entirely fleshed out), please let me know.  It would be most helpful to receive your suggestions within the next two weeks.   Thanks very much,   Ben

  5. 2014 announcement

    Associated Project(s): 

    Earth Week 2014 is going to be a week packed full with environmental education and awareness events! Among these events will be showings of the environmental documentaries, "Living Downstream", "Terra Blight"and "Waste Food".  Interactive events will include DIY Green Supplies where participants will be given recipes to make green cleaning items, Bike Blender + Bike Fix It, as well as a Clothing Swap at the University YMCA. Keep checking back here for a more detailed calendar regarding these exciting events!

  6. Class study with City of Urbana

    Associated Project(s): 

    From: Lisa Brooks Sent: Monday, March 31, 2014 9:57 PM To: Dempsey, John Garrett Subject: School Composting Project   Jack Dempsey,   My name is Lisa Brooks, and I am a student at UIUC. My class and I are collaborating with the Urbana Environmental Sustainability Division to establish a school composting program throughout Urbana schools. The goal of the program is to lower the amount of food waste in the school while producing rich organic top soil. We are currently in the development phase of the program, and we did some research on the Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment. I was wondering if you would be interested in scheduling a time to discuss the details of the project and any suggestions or ideas you might have for how to make our program as effective as possible. If there is anyone else at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment that could also provide insight into this project that would be greatly appreciated as well. Feel free to contact me at any time if you are interested in discussing this project.   Thank you for your help,   Lisa Brooks

  7. meeting minutes from Cindy Klein-Banai

    Some suggestions that have come from our Sustainability committee are: Regardless of which route we take, we should update the Business Travel page, http://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/travel/, to include something about scheduling inter-campus meetings between UIC and UIS or UIUC to accommodate the Amtrak schedule, perhaps with a table with this information:

    Inter-campus travel: In order to facilitate sustainable and convenient travel between campuses, meeting organizers are encouraged to schedule meetings around the Amtrak schedule. For Chicago meetings, start after 10:30, end by 3:30; in Springfield start after 10:45, end by 4:30; in Champaign, start after 11:00, end by 6:15 (as of October 2013 Amtrak schedule)

    1. We should definitely include the following sustainability drivers:
      1. Economic – less expensive
      2. Environment – reduces emissions and energy consumption
      3. Society – you can work while in transit – benefits office
    2. Consideration of video-conferencing. Perhaps even a listing of where facilities are or how people identify them on their campuses.
    3. Consult with Scott Speegle.

    Thanks,

    Cindy

  8. Kick off meeting

    IGBA is reviewing their certification checklist - this is the second version, so creating a 3.0 version.  To add additional credibility to the program they are bringing in outside experts to review the process, look through the checklist, edit it line by line, make suggestions from small changes in wording to large changes like adding, combining the credits, and suggest weighting factors.

    1. create a more streamlined and up to date checklist
    2. create a smaller more focused checklist

    There were 9 sections - now there will be 8.  There is a TAG for each section, plus the certification steering committee looking at the broader picture.  Ryan is the staff representative - no voting rights, organize meetings, and conduit between the groups. 

    To become certified a business must complete the required credits and 50% of the program in each section that applies to that business (based on operational control).  The goal of the weighted checklist is to incentivize businesses to choose some of the harder items.  For example in energy, you can upgrade your entire HVAC system for one credit or you can add stickers to light switches for one credit.

    Hoping to have the review process completed by fall 2014, with a draft by August. Additional members would be nice - especially from a larger transportation area.  This will be all types of transportation, so Morgan suggested Scott Spegel with Amtrak and Ed Barsoti with the League of Illinois Bicyclists.

    Ryan will send the existing checklist and transportation assessment.  He will also highlight the items that only a few businesses have used and provide staff information about the questions businesses have asked about existing items.  Please read those docs and make any changes in Word, with track changes turned on.  Next meeting is last Friday in April.

  9. Feasibility Study Report

    Associated Project(s): 

    This Feasibility study considers the potential placement of a Photovoltaic array on the roof of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA). The Study was conducted in two phases, the reports of which are included herein. A construction budget of five hundred eighty-five thousand dollars ($585,000), excluding contingencies, was proposed by the Student Sustainability Committee.

  10. updated list of LED exit sign buildings

    Associated Project(s): 

    FY07 - 13 buildings

    • 112 - MEB
    • 26 - Altgeld
    • 12 - Noyes
    • 99 - Undergrad
    • 210 - DCL
    • 15 - Engineering Hall
    • 152 - Hydrosystems
    • 67 - Loomis
    • 29 - MEL
    • 34 - MSEB
    • 24 - Newmark
    • 13 - Talbot
    • 42 - Transportation Bldg

    FY08 - 12 buildings

    • HARDING BAND BUILDING #4
    • ILLINI HALL #65
    • OPTICAL PHYSICS BUILDING #165
    • ILLINOIS PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH & HUMANITIES #221
    • ARCHITECTURE BUILDING #50
    • NOBLE HALL #90
    • ART & DESIGN #219
    • MUSIC BUILDING #39
    • FLAGG HALL #89
    • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL #61
    • ARMORY #6
    • FOELLINGER AUDITORIUM #7

    FY14 – CURRENT PROJECT

    • #324 Grainger Library
    • #174 Engineering Sciences
    • #116 Roger Adams Lab
    • #336 Animal Sciences
    • #197 Turner Hall
    • #370 South Studio #5
    • #371 South Studio #7

    OTHER PROJECTS

    • #339 Temple Buell Hall
  11. Game Day Results

    On February 26, 2014 over 100 volunteers collaborated in a competition at a U of I basketball game to divert as much waste as possible from landfill.  Isolated waste bins were changed into recycling stations with new signs for landfill and recycling.   Fans were educated by volunteers about which bin to use.   After the game, participants collected and recycled as much as possible.  Landfilled and recycled materials were weighed and recorded to indicate a diversion rate of 31.5%.

  12. E-Waste Collection Results

    Associated Project(s): 

    On March 18, 2014 was the first E-cyclemania event as part of Recyclemania at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.  57 volunteers from numerous student organizations collaborated with Champaign County Bikes.  E-waste was picked up by bike from several building drop-offs points that included Nugent Hall, Daniels Hall, Sherman Hall, The Cohen Center, Orchard Downs, The Bike Shop, and Bousfield Hall.  That material was transported on bike trailers to collection sites located at Allen Hall, Ikenberry Commons, and the ISTC Building in the research park. The event managed to fill two 26 ft. box trucks with electronics for recycling.  The weight of that material will be recorded in the national RecycleMania database.

  13. Summary of study results

    Associated Project(s): 

    This Feasibility study considers the potential placement of a Photovoltaic array on the roof of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA). The Study was conducted in two phases, the reports of which are included herein. A construction budget of five hundred eighty-five thousand dollars ($585,000), excluding contingencies, was proposed by the Student Sustainability Committee.

    Based on shadow studies, it was determined that placement of a photovoltaic array on the roof of the Great Hall would maximize the potential power gain, as compared to other locations at KCPA. However, structural analyses have shown that the roof structure would require strengthening prior to the application of any new load. Additionally, based on its age, it is recommended that the roofing be replaced prior to the installation of a photovoltaic array. Access to the roof is cumbersome, and is also in need of improvement. The opinion of probable construction cost for this associated work exceeds the five hundred eighty-five thousand dollar ($585,000) construction budget. Without considering these associated projects in the payback analysis, the complexities of constructing a PV array on the roof structure diminish the economical effectiveness of a roof mounted PV array as compared to a ground-mounted system, assuming the ready
    availability of real estate.

    Based on these findings, it is the recommendation of Hanson Professional Services Inc. (Hanson) that a photovoltaic array not be placed on the roof of the Great Hall at KCPA, and that consideration be given instead to directing the available funds to a location that is more readily suited to its construction.

  14. update on project progress

    Associated Project(s): 

    Ken Buenting, Sharon Ball, Eva Sweeney, Morgan Johnston, and Ryan Wild met to review progress on the LED Exit Sign work.  Ken reported great progress with four buildings complete and one in progress: Grainger, RAL, Animal Sciences Lab, and the Engineering Sciences Building.  They are in Turner Hall now.  Just over $24K has been spent so far through the contractor.  They will move on to the Main Library and the Education Building next.

    The current implementation process is as follows:

    1. Ryan Wild and Morgan Johnston work with others to identify the priority list of buildings.
    2. Eva Sweeney will review records to ascertain whether the fixtures are connected to an emergency generator or will need battery backup.
    3. Sharon Ball and team will do the initial count of fixtures.
    4. Ken Buenting will direct the hired contractor to replace the existing fixtures and provide data sheets for our records.
    5. Eva Sweeney and Ryan Wild will identify additional signage installation needs.
    6. Ken will direct the F&S electricians to install the additional signs.

    Eva had Ken remove Temple Buell Hall from the list because it is being handled through another project.  Also, through other funding, South studio five and seven were completed.

  15. requesting participant list

    Hi Andrew, Jane, Scott, Rob, and Stephanie,

    At the last Sustainability Practitioners discussion, Jack Dempsey asked about a Regional Climate Action Plan.  After that brief discussion, he talked with campus leadership.  Mike DeLorenzo then talked with the “IAC” about the idea.  Reportedly, Laurel Prussing was enthusiastic and the Champaign City Manager liked the idea and wanted to get a little more info.  I do not know if Bill Volk or Deb at RPC have heard of this yet. 

    What I’d like to do is meet with the six of us and talk about this idea.  We can flesh out the idea more, develop a list of pros and cons, and consider the different options for moving forward.  Jane and Andrew, would you please let me know if you can and will participate in this discussion?  Scott, can you confirm that you are the right person to include for Urbana?

    Thanks!

    Morgan

  16. conference call with Chicago and Payables

    The call included Jim Martinie and Kathy Young with UA Payables, Cindy Klein-Banai, Stephanie Lage, and Morgan Johnston.  Ben McCall, Shelby Egan, and Ginger Valezquez were unable to join the call.

    This discussion was started through a group in Chicago looking at the travel policy with Amtrak.  Unlike with airfare it wasn’t giving a preference for Amtrak.  Also, even a higher class than the coach class Amtrak is much less expensive than driving, and people may be more productive on the train.  Are there options and promotional opportunities.  Payables was going to look at it and provide us with an update. 

    Policy is set by the Illinois Higher Education Travel Board and it is very difficult to get them to change.  Ginger is the representative for the UI with the Illinois Higher Education Travel Board.  They prescribe the lodging limitations, per diem amount, and travel policies.  Can do procedures and not policies on our side, but they haven’t had much luck with change requests for increasing per diem or lodging limitations.  Cindy said that this would be a little different because we want to ask them to reimburse less than for car travel.

    Probably need to focus on what can be done here and what we do have control over.  Providing some information to Amtrak and train travel under make travel arrangements.  We can update the pages on the OBFS page. Payables was really focused on making procedural changes with the web-page – Kathy would like to work with someone to put the information on the website.  Kathy will submit the information for the changes – Cindy will work with them to help with that, with Stephanie.  Stephanie will bring Gary Miller up to speed about the policy issue, for the Green Governing Coordinating Council.  Morgan will get a contact at IDOT in support of Amtrak travel.

    They were able to come up with a preliminary report that identifies the instances that someone has driven and been reimbursed for mileage between Urbana and Chicago.  That report needs a little fine tuning – by departments.  We can count and sum the info by department with the details.  They will look at instances between Chicago and Springfield, as well. 

     

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