Sustainable Transportation and Grounds in UIC - University of ...

Report to UIC 28 Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and Energy
maintenance of irrigation systems. Native species and plants that are
suitable for Illinois climate without irrigation are being used near
recent and new construction such as the east Recreation Center and
Lincoln Hall.
Evaluation and benchmarking improvements in environmental quality
include the following:
1) Inventory grounds equipment owned and contracted, fuel
consumption, supplies such as fertilizer, snow-melt, pesticides,
2) Identify equipment replacement options and guidelines for future
purchase
3) Perform air, water, soil testing
4) Calculate costs for mowing, trimming, labor, equipment and
supplies for tree planting, maintenance and removal, value of
volunteer labor (# of hours × $18), contributions from student or
civic organizations; maintenance of campus tree inventory, tree
management and public education related to the campus tree
care plan, professional training, and dues for related association
memberships
5) Amount of water for used for irrigation or frequency and location
of irrigation sites
Primary Data Collection Effort
• Tree Campus USA and Tree Care Plan
Performance on STARS Standards
The Sustainability Tracking and Rating Assessment (STARS)
developed through a collaborative effort by the Association for
Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is
comprised of a credit system for sustainable operations. In the
category of transportation UIC meets some of the criteria but could
achieve more points.
• Currently, the institution’s motorized fleet emits 0.2 carbon dioxide
equivalent (CO 2 e) per passenger mile traveled, achieving one
point. We could achieve 2 points by having no CO 2 e per
passenger mile traveled (carbon neutral fleet).
• Another credit is given for having a specified percentage of the
institution's faculty, staff and students getting to and from campus
by a means other than single occupancy vehicle for the majority of
their daily trips. Alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle
transportation include walking, bicycling, van or carpooling, taking
public transportation, or riding a campus shuttle. Currently, 76% of
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