Next SECS Meeting This Wednesday at 6:30! 🌱

Happy Monday, SECS! Thank you to everyone who helped get out the vote last week at the YMCA – we tied La Colectiva for the most participation!

This week, our SECS-y working groups will continue fighting the good fight. Feel free to check out whatever group interests you, and make sure to bring a computer!

Fossil Free Addendum will continue check-ins and prep for upcoming meetings with legislators, as well as brainstorm an action plan for November 12th in Springfield.

Action is continuing outreach for our annual pumpkin composting event.

Media will be painting this week! Final submissions to the Green Observer are due today.

Education is working on the presentation for the Women’s Resource Center Ecojustice Summit on October 28th.

Solidarity Gardens will work on the pruning beds.

Circular Fashion Expo will brainstorm speech ideas and do outreach for a clothing swap.

Divestment Referendum is a new working group dedicated to gathering public support for a student referendum to divest the university from fossil fuels. This week, they will be finishing up their presentation and starting a petition.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the Channing Murray Foundation (1209 W. Oregon Street).

🚨WAIT, THERE’S MORE!🚨

Come to the Halloween Costume Ball!

Join SECS for a spooky night of fun this Saturday, October 19th from 8-10:30 pm at the Channing Murray Foundation! $5 cover at the door 🎃🍂 Dress in costume for a chance to win a gift card to The Idea Store, a second-hand store with plenty of knick-knacks and creative supplies! 🧶🎨 We can't wait to dance with you all. See you there! 💃

Come to Curtis Orchards with Us!

This Sunday, October 20th, from 11am-2pm, spend a fall-themed day of fun with SECS at Curtis Orchards! We will meet at Channing Murray before carpooling. Sign up to drive or hitch a ride here.

Come to Fossil Free Friday!

This Friday, from 2-3 pm at Channing Murray, FFF will be phone banking and doing canvassing with quarter sheets!

Come to the WRC Ecojustice Summit!

On October 28th, from 12-1pm at the Women’s Resource Center #213, join SECS for a presentation about global environmental justice issues and how they relate to marginalized communities.

Show up on Wednesday! Go green or go HOME!

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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Apply for the Environmental Leadership Program!

The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a cutting-edge program launched by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The program is designed to prepare Illinois undergraduates for leadership roles in the sustainability field. The application deadline is October 30th, 2024. Reach out to alums of the program and SECS members Michael Gergeni, Raphael Ranola, or Rudy LaFave ([email protected]) with any questions. Apply and get more information here!

America Recycles Day at Boneyard Creek Litter Clean-Up Event

On Saturday, October 26th from 10am-noon, meet at the north end of the N. First St. Parking Lot next to Prosperity Gardens at 302 N. First St. to join in on America Recycles Day, a program of Keep America Beautiful. All clean-up equipment is provided, and free pizza will be provided right after the event! Please pre register here if you are planning on attending.

Win Money to Make A Climate Justice Short Film

Between September 9, 2024 and January 10, 2025, submit a short film concept grounded in a current issue involving climate justice or how climate change intersects with social justice, presenting it in a way that leaves the audience feeling hopeful. The top 2 pitches will receive $10K to create their films, mentoring sessions from film professionals, and the grand prize winner (selected from the top two) will win an additional $2k in cold hard cash—just what your wallet needs! Head here for more information.

Help birds stop dying!

The UIUC Bird Strike group is made up of some awesome students who are looking to reduce bird deaths caused by window collisions. Go here for more information or if you’re interested in volunteering!

Join the Climate Grief Group

Feeling the weight of climate change? You're not alone. Many of us are struggling with grief, anxiety, and a sense of loss as we watch our planet change. The Climate Grief Group is a safe, supportive space where we can talk openly about our climate-related emotions and learn how to cope together. We'll explore our feelings, build resilience, and find ways to turn that grief into positive action. Let's connect, heal, and support each other as we work towards a more just and sustainable future. This group meets virtually on Tuesdays between September 24th and October 29th at 1pm and is led by a licensed, climate-aware therapist. Pay what you can. Register here.

Visit TORIIS and take action

TORIIS.earth is an organization that makes transparent the University of Illinois Systems investments and visualizes this data through an environmental lens. Throughout TORIIS, you can explore in depth the University of Illinois Systems’ investments, understand the scope and impact of its investments in the fossil fuel industry, and take action by signing the open letter requesting fossil fuel divestment from the University of Illinois.

Listen to the SECS talk
Listen here to our sustainability-focused podcast, the SECS talk! The most recent episode’s guest is Lina Avalos, a student at UIUC and an environmental justice advocate from the Southeast side of Chicago.

Contact Us!
President — Rudy LaFave (he/him)
[email protected]
Vice President — Claire Sullivan (she/her)
[email protected]
Treasurer — Averhy Sanborn (she/her)
[email protected]
Secretary — Julia San Miguel (she/her)
[email protected]
Action Co-Coordinator — Trey McCallister (he/him)
[email protected]
Action Co-Coordinator — Gabi DalSanto (she/they)
[email protected]
Media Officer — Sophia Beem (she/her)
[email protected]
Community Chair — Joya Weissman (she/her)
[email protected]
Land Management Chair — Liam Henry (he/him)
[email protected]
Outreach Coordinator — Izzy Wilder (she/her)
[email protected]
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer — Fatima Naveed (she/her)
[email protected]