Student Sustainability Committee Update
February 18, 2025 1:01 PM

Greetings from the students of the Student Sustainability Committee!

Did you know that all UIUC students pay $18 a semester to support campus sustainability? That’s over $1.5 million a year!

Since 2008, we've dedicated almost $16 million toward funding nearly 400 projects that have decreased the campus’s environmental impact and advanced Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) objectives.

The SSC uses the Illinois Green Fund to finance student-, staff-, and faculty-led sustainability projects like Red Oak Rain Garden, Illini Solar Car, the geothermal systems at CIF and the new Wymer Hall, and many more to come!

We are currently looking for board members for our 2025-2026 board. If you are interested in voting on sustainability project funding and taking on roles like leading our working groups, marketing, or event planning, apply between March 3-24! 

We also are looking for YOUR feedback! For a chance to win a free sustainability goody bag, please take a moment fill out the SSC Campus Sustainability Survey! Responses accepted until March 14–thank you and good luck!

Recent Projects

Some of the projects that we had the privilege of working with and funding in the last semester include:

• Geothermal at Wymer Hall
• Illini EV Concept
• Student Sustainable Farm Greenhouse Renovation
• Campuswide Composting Events
• Illini Solar Car
• Campus Wind Turbine Project

Get Involved!

Want to get involved with SSC? You can! Here’s how:

• Apply to be a board member! Board members get the privilege of voting on funding for project applications and taking on a leadership role with the committee. We are looking for a wide range of undergraduate and graduate students passionate about sustainability–no environmental major or experience necessary! The application opens on March 3 and closes March 24.
• Apply for funding! The SSC is here to help you make your sustainable idea a reality. Student-led projects under $10,000 are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis, while all other projects must be submitted by March 23. Learn more about applying for funding.
• Attend our meetings, like our bi-weekly working groups on different sustainability topics, educational events related to sustainability, or communications team meetings. Check our calendar for upcoming events.
• Stay connected with the SSC. Follow us on social media and join our mailing list to get the latest info on all things SSC!
• Visit our events! SSC and our partner organizations hold several events throughout the year. This semester, we've already hosted a presentation from Nobel Peace Prize winning scientist and University of Illinois professor Dr. Donald Wuebbles on the economic threat posed by global warming. Two more events are announced below–be on the lookout for more!

Upcoming Events

This month, we’re excited to have sustainability events on back-to-back days! Join us for the Green Career Panel and Green Career Forum on February 26 & 27:

• Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have a career in sustainability? Come to the Green Career Panel on Wednesday, February 26 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Campus Instructional Facility room 2035! Hear young professionals in the sustainability field share their experiences; students will have the opportunity to ask questions, and there will be food! If you’re interested in attending, please fill out this form so we can estimate how much food to provide.
• The next day, February 27, we’ll also be hosting the larger Green Career Forum! From 12:00-4:00pm at the Illini Union, the Green Career Forum will be a part of the Illinois Hire Illini Career and Internship Fair. The Green Career Forum is designed for students to explore internships, jobs and professional development opportunities related to environmental sustainability.

Until Next Time...

That’s all from the SSC this semester. Be sure to stay connected with us for updates on events, applications, the climate and more!

Greenest Regards,

The Student Sustainability Committee