University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

A dedicated focus of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment's group research page focuses on climate solutions, and students have been involved on a number of project teams ranging from resilience-oriented projects to carbon capture.

A recent student project evaluated the possibility of introducing a class to provide students with hands-on experience with the LEED rating system. The students would identify the potential of a building to achieve the LEED Existing Building Operations & Maintenance, and recommend actions necessary.

A project based learning class in civil engineering provides students to examine and evaluate facility projects on campus. One project last fall was "Powering Up E-14 - Solar". A project that evaluated the feasibility of installing a solar canopy above one of the larges parking lots on campus.

Dining Services procures as much produce as the Sustainable Student Farm can produce. Student volunteers work at the farm planting, weeding and harvesting, gaining an enhanced appreciation of the benefits of local foods.

Over the past few years, several students have worked with Grounds in the installation of native plants. They have done the hard work to establish a large size prairie near the President's house and several other plantings using native species. They are learning the benefits of native plants, ie reduced irrigation, weeding, and biodiversity.

A recent student honors project focused on the efficacy of a new crosswalk near the Business Instructional Facility. She collected surveys from pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and mass transit employees. He final report discusses convenience, safety and awareness.

Last year, two different Recyclemania events were undertaken with the support of hundreds of student volunteers. Students learned what types of recyclables were accepted at our Waste Transfer Station, and engaged with fans at two very large sporting events to encourage recycling.

A student team worked on a project entitled "Economic and Environmental Benefits of Implementing Low-Flow Toilets in UIUC Buildings".

The Student Sustainability Committee is an excellent way for students to gain experience in coordination, planning, and governance. The student's must apply to the committee and participate in an interview before being selected to serve. The student's elect officers and appoint subcommittees. This committee coordinates an annual request for proposals, and student members prepare critical analyses of the proposals received. During their committee meetings, they follow Robert's Rules to run their meetings and vote on proposals.

A team of performing students is currently working with the Student Sustainability Committee on a series of short plays surrounding the theme of "Environmental Justice is Social Justice." The interdisciplinary team will be creating vignettes based on research in a wide array of green initiatives and how they support - or fall short of - diversity and equity for the entire population.

The School of Labor and Employment Relations offers numerous research opportunities for students researching wellbeing in the workplace environment, including research with sustainable outcomes.

The Sonified Sustainability Festival is an annual year-long series of performances surrounding the theme of sustainability, waste reduction, and connection to nature. Student interns participate in the research, planning, and execution of this event.