Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) students recently approved a $3 per semester “green fee” to fund implementation of clean and renewable energy technologies and improvement of campus energy efficiency and conservation. Recent projects include:

• Creating a student friendly Commons area (see picture above). Existing asphalt pavement, concrete curbs and gutters, and various concrete walkways were removed, replaced by student gathering areas, an irrigation system, new top soil, and lawn and other site amenities. This area is used for public events, and can seat as many as 3,000. A parking lot was removed to eliminate vehicle-pedestrian conflicts.
• Recycling, waste reduction and the procurement of recycled products. NEIU has a cooperative program with Northside Learning Center’s vocational training class which provides for the collection and sorting of University waste paper. NEIU has reduced the percentage of paper in our disposed waste from 49% in 2000 to 26%.
• Retrofitting lights in a Gymnasium and an Auditorium to T5, reducing electrical consumption and the amount of pollution in Illinois, and improving the quality of light for faculty, staff and students of the University. The project was paid for in part by an Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Grant. The estimated reduction in electricity demand is 112 KW, which translates into approximate annual savings of $100,000.