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Project Updates

  1. Update on Registration and Advertising for the 2021 Sustainability Competition for Undergraduates

    Associated Project(s): 
    ReImagine Our Future

     

    “... We have 12 registered teams so far.

    The registration deadline is Sept. 20...

    We have seen an uptick in visitors to the competition website. Last week we were up from around 50 visitors in the first week of the semester to 2000 visitors in week 3.

    But, those numbers have not translated to an increase in registrations.

    We also have ads in The Daily Illini and on digital advertisement boards around campus. The Daily Illini last week reported 600 visitors a day to our digital ad.

    Students will also be bombarded with social media messages this week. Illinois Public Affairs are doing that for us…”

    -Leon Liebenberg (09/12/2021)

    Teaching Associate Professor
    Fellow: Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
    Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  3. iCAP Team Charge Letters

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Topical iCAP Teams
    Energy iCAP Team
    Engagement iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Resilience iCAP Team
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Education iCAP Team

    Attached are the charge letters sent to each of the iCAP Team members, on September 10 by iSEE interim director, Dr. Madhu Khanna.

    Attached Files: 

  7. F&S Announcement about Bike Day events!

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    Light the Night

    Celebrate CU Bike Day 2021
     
    Be a part of two great upcoming bicycle events on Tuesday, September 14. You can participate, volunteer, or do both! 

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign achieved the Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University status in October 2019 because of its ongoing commitment to improving bicycle education, infrastructure, and programs. Visit the Bike at Illinois website to learn more about the many efforts that support bicycling on campus.
     
    Bike to Work Day
    Champaign County Bike to Work Day returns this semester. There will be 17 welcoming stations open between 7 and 10 a.m., with nine on the Urbana campus. Grab a snack and get some free Bike at Illinois merchandise and a T-shirt! To get the free T-shirt, you must register and bring your bicycle! 
     
    Light the Night
    The 14th annual Light the Night, a free bike light giveaway, will be held that evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at three locations:

    • Alma Mater Plaza
    • Hallene Gateway (intersection of Illinois Street and Lincoln Avenue)
    • Campus Bike Center (51. E. Gregory Drive) 

    Participants must bring their bicycles to receive the free light sets; lights will only be installed on bicycles without lights. Volunteers are needed in the afternoon and evening for three shifts. Fill out the volunteer sign-up form to assist. All volunteers will be required to wear face coverings during the event.

  8. Weekly Update: Grand Re-opening on Sept. 16; New hires!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Another busy week. Only managed to replenish our stock of For Sale Bikes by a few this week but sold them all within an hour of being open each day. Demand for bikes is still sky-high. Accordingly, most—if not all—of the Build-a-Bikes have been claimed. We did receive a couple of viable donations we’ll fix up this week.

    This week, I’ll also be promoting our Grand Re-Opening that’s happening Thursday, 9/16 from 4 – 7p. We’ve got flyers we’re handing out and talking it up to everyone who comes into the Bike Center. Here’s a blurb we can share out to relevant contacts:


    On Thursday, September 16th, from 4-7, Campus Bike Center is celebrating their Grand Re-Opening at their new location on 51 E. Gregory Dr., Champaign, IL 61820. Come enjoy fun activities, games, and a chance to win a free bike! UIPD will be doing an escorted ride around the block at 5:00 for riders who would like to join. There will be tabling from campus and community organizations, and on the basketball court side you will get a chance to make a basket and be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a refurbished bicycle. We plan to give away an adult bike and a child one. See you there!

    We’ve got a couple new hires in the pipeline that should be onboard in the next week or so—fingers crossed.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 105
    Sales: $1,732
    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $675
    Build-a-Bike: 3 for $120
    Memberships: 17 for $510
    Tires/tubes: 17 for $82

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  9. archived info - prior project description

    Associated Project(s): 
    Contribute to Regional Climate Action Plans

    In coordination with the Chancellor’s Office work with representatives from Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, MTD, and the Regional Planning commission to evaluate the potential for a region-wide Climate Action Plan.

    By working with businesses, community members, and local governments to develop a Regional Climate Action Plan, the University can foster solutions to regional sustainability issues.

    prior name: Contribute to a Regional Climate Action Plan

  10. Walkability Audit: Week 4 meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Walkability Study

    On Tuesday September 7, 2021, Sutapa and Sarthak met to discuss the Survey Questionnaire of the Walkability Audit. Each question of the MAPS tool was analysed and a decision to restructure the questionnaire was taken.

    On Thursday September 9, 2021, Sutapa, Sarthak and Prof. Lindsay Braun met for discussing the Survey questionnaire and the Deficiency report. The decision of focusing on 5 major categories was agreed on, which are as follows:

    1.  Context
    2.  Safety
    3.  Accessibility
    4.  Connectivity
    5.  Walk Appeal

    In conclusion, the database of the Walkability audit is to be collected using two methods: The Survey Questionnaire (focuses on the sub-block area as a whole) and the Deficiency report (focuses on individual locations within each sub-block).

    Attached Files: 

  13. Walkability Audit: Week 3 meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Walkability Study

    On September 2, 2021, Sarthak and Sutapa met with F&S-TDM, F&S Grounds, DRES, F&S FIR, and faculty from the Urban Planning departments to discuss the updates regarding the Walkability Audit. Following is the brief outline from the meeting:

    Proposal to do a 2-step data collection was finalized during the meeting. 

    1. The Survey Questionnaire (using 123 survey app)
    1. The Deficiency Report (using maps of sub blocks) - also using the survey123 app

    The study is to be performed using four main parameters ( Safety, Accessibility, Connectivity and Walk Appeal). The study will also include entrances to the buildings as well as ADA ramps.

    The next steps to be performed for the Project is to finalize the survey questionnaire and the individual maps of each subdivision (showing sidewalks, crosswalks, and entrances). The training manual is scheduled to be worked on right afterwards. Call for volunteers in the newsletter to be posted soon.

    Attached Files: 

  14. TED Talk: Eco-Edition - Environmental Action - Resources!

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]

    The August TED Talk: Eco-Edition event on environmental action was a great conversation to kick off a new semester at Illinois! Alexandra Gergova was a terrific host at the event and showed an inspiring TED Talk by Majora Carter, “Greening the ghetto”. Learn more about Majora’s work and environmental activism here. In addition to the resources outlined in Alex’s presentation (see attached), below are additional and resources that were shared during the conversation:

    I hope that you enjoyed the discussion on Tuesday evening and that you learned about a new opportunity or way to take action and get involved. Every action has an impact – it is up to all of us to talk about it, tell someone else, and empower others to show up and take action, too!  As always, please reach out with any questions, feedback, or to share additional resources/opportunities!

    Attached Files: 

  15. University's first ever Bike Shelter installed!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bike Shelter at Flagg Hall

    A first of its kind at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a 14’x63’ covered Bike Shelter has been installed and is ready for use in the Ikenberry Commons area between Flagg Hall and Noble Hall. It can accommodate up to 96 bicycles at a time utilizing side stage (vertical) bike racks.

    See attached the pictures from first week of August!

    Attached Files: 

  16. Funding Approval for Resilience Development Proposal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Resilience Commitment
    Resilience iCAP Team
    Utilize Carbon Credits
    Carbon Credit Purchasing Program (C2P2) with Second Nature

    Madhu Khanna and Ehab Kamarah approved $18,025 of funding from the Carbon Credit Sales Fund for a Resilience Development Proposal.

    "The Resilience Commitment, signed in 2016, was incorporated in the iCAP for the first time in the 2020 version, with a list of seven specific objectives. iSEE is the primary department responsible for helping campus achieve these ambitious goals. We request approval to fund a 20-hour/week contract with ARI to have Stacy Gloss work to develop the structure and plan for completing these objectives. The cost of a six-month agreement is $17,500" (the cost was updated with the new fiscal year due to a salary change) -Morgan White (08/13/2021)

    An email of the approval is attached below.

    Attached Files: 

  17. Red Oak Rain Garden Expansion

    Associated Project(s): 
    Red Oak Rain Garden

    The following information is from an email Elaina Brown sent to inform the Red Oak Rain Garden "neighbors" about the upcoming changes to the Red Oak Rain Garden. The full email is attached below.

    -------------------------------------------------------

    There will be some prep work near the garden and Dorner Drive Retention Pond. Vegetation will be treated to remove invasive/non-native species to make way for high-quality native plants.

    Starting Sep 13 volunteers will install more than a thousand plants west of the garden. Additionally, F&S Grounds will treat the pond's banks to prepare for prairie/woodland restoration but leave some areas as mowed grass for students to relax and gather in the future as they do now. Finally, at the end of the month, Country Arbors will plant new trees in the area between the garden and McKinley's parking lot.

    In time, these new landscapes will provide pollinator habitat, water quality benefits, and serve as a model for future restorations on campus and throughout the state. You can expect that by spring 2022, your experience of walking through this part of campus will be even better than it is now!

    Layne Knoche, Red Oak Rain Garden’s designer, worked with F&S Campus Landscape Architect Brent Lewis on the attached plans (see the attached images below).

    -------------------------------------------------------

    Attached Files: 

  18. International Climate Action Challenge

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Competitions

    Are you ready to go from passion to action in 90 days? 

    Be part of the 2nd Annual International Climate Action Challenge beginning August 18, 2021! 

    If you haven't been able to make a big impact yet, don't worry.

    We have a proven method for regular people to step up and make a difference fast! The 2021 International Climate Action Challenge offers a proven process, with video course, live trainings and a fun, supportive global community to keep you inspired and energized. 

    https://www.climateactionchallenge.net/challenge?r_done=1 

  20. Internships and Volunteer Opportunities to Protect the Environment

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Jobs
    Carbon-Neutral Energy for Campus

    From: Liv Clafford

    Hi Professor,

    My name is Liv and I’m with the University of Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Campus Action club. Illinois PIRG Campus Action is a student activist group working on important issues on campus like environmental protection, college affordability, non-partisan voter registration, and more!

    This semester, we have in-person and virtual, internship and volunteer opportunities for students to learn valuable organizing skills and make a real difference in our community. 

    Can we make a quick 5 minute announcement in your class next week? Please let us know if we are able to do this in person or virtually.

    For the past 40 years we have been working on college campuses to amplify the power of student activism. We know students want to make a difference on important issues like banning single use plastics or making college more affordable. 

    We’re looking for students who are passionate about these issues and want to put their knowledge into action.  We work with student interns and train them to run effective, strategic campaigns.  

    If we are not able to make an announcement, can you send the information below to your students? 

    Thanks so much for the help!


    Liv Clafford

    773-710-4089
    lclafford at illinoispirgstudents.org

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