In 2008 the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign created two structures to address sustainability: the Office of Sustainability and the Sustainability Council. The Sustainability Council is chaired by Vice President and Chancellor Phyllis Wise and includes other campus leaders as well as student, faculty, and staff representatives. The Council provides strategic direction for the sustainability initiatives and priorities on campus. The Office of Sustainability provided operational leadership for the numerous initiatives on campus.

The Environmental Change Institute (ECI) was created in 2008, with a generous gift from the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund and matching funds from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; the College of Business; and the College of Law.  In 2013, ECI became part of the Center for a Sustainable Environment.

The Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that assists businesses in reducing their ecological foot-print through green certification.  IGBA looks at a business’ current environmental performance in nine areas of certification and works with the business owner to discover what applies to them and what fits in with their business' culture, providing educational resources and support along the way.

 The “Green Nozzle” is a high efficient pre-rinse spray valve that will save approximately 545 therms of natural gas annually due to a reduction in hot water usage.  They typically have a 65% reduction in water usage, and with the current DCEO rebate program these are free to public insitutions.   

At the beginning of Fall 2013, the Center for a Sustainable Environment is hosting a series of Sustainability Meet and Greet coffees to facilitate campus-wide discussion and interest about sustainability efforts on campus and in the community.  These are spread over the entire work week, with coffee and snacks being offered Monday through Friday at the Illini Union from 10-11 each morning.  By offering the event multiple times during the week, it is hoped that more campus students, faculty, and staff will be able to participate.

The Center for a Sustainable Environment creates reports on activities, when requested by administration.  These reports are available here in the project history link.

The Office of Sustainability (OS) was charged with communicating and collaborating around
sustainability initiatives for the Urbana‐Champaign campus. The scope of the OS encompasses all facets
of the University’s mission: education, research, and engagement, as well as campus operations. As
such, the OS works closely with many diverse groups to further sustainability. Fortunately, the OS has
developed critical relationships with many to aide in completing its multi‐faceted charge.

Clemson University’s Construction Science and Management Department conducted a research survey that evaluates the social, economic, and environmental aspects of green construction. The research aims to identify the primary factors driving the ‘greening’ of University facilities. To accomplish the objective of this study they asked key personnel of the nation’s top Universities to provide feedback regarding their institution’s approach and philosophy.  At the University of Illinois, the survey was completed by Helen Coleman, the Director of Capital Programs at Urbana.

 

All campus dining halls have a trayless dining program, in which trays are not available in dining halls. Trayless dining saves 42,100 gallons of water in dining facilities each day, and 929,122 gallons a year.

The Illini Union's One Book, One Campus program centers around providing a shared experience for our community through reading the same book and engaging in dialogue to explore various themes. Lectures, book discussion groups, and many other activities will guide participants to learn about themselves and experience a unique sense of community.

The 2011-2013 book selection was Annie Leonard's 'The Story of Stuff,' which is about the harmful effects of excessive consumption in the United States.