Students for Environmental Concerns is the oldest and largest environmental organization at the University of Illinois, dedicated to environmental activism and justice.
SECS will hold weekly meetings during the fall semester in the Channing Murray building (1209 W Oregon St) at 5:30pm every Wednesday, unless otherwise noted.
SECS Constitution
The SECS constitution is in appliance with the University of Illinois Registered Student Organization office. The constitution for the 2021-22 academic year can be accessed via this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ExNpB6yN7vfuWhCQywYBHNO2hrq68HYr5bqGoe32OXg/edit?usp=sharing
OUR MISSION
SECS aims to promote environmental action on campus by spearheading campaigns and collaborating with other organizations on projects that lead to a greener Earth. We believe that all individuals and institutions, particularly those in the Global North, have an important role to play in resolving the current climate crisis. Our primary mission is to work to maintain the stability, integrity, and beauty of the natural world, promote and participate in the sustainable food revolution, and pursue clean energy on and off campus.
Our Projects
SECS is currently running two legacy campaigns during the 2021-22 academic year: Fossil Fuel Divestment and iCAP Accountability. You can learn more about these student led initiatives here.
Our Past
With a proud history of environmental activism, we would like to highlight the recent success of our Beyond Coal campaign.
The Beyond Coal campaign served as a student-led coalition aimed at lobbying the University of Illinois to “Divest all university endowment funds out of … the dirtiest utilities, coal operators and mining companies in the U.S.” Today, this initiative is viewed as an historic success, “with coal exposure now comprising less than one half of one percent of total [endowment] holdings” – as per the Chancellor. You can read more about the Beyond Coal campaign on their website https://uiucbeyondcoal.blogspot.com .
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
SECS is a community of students. As such, we have a responsibility to lead in creating inclusive practices toward people of different ethnicity, religions, genders, ages, social classes, physical abilities, and sexual orientations.
We would also like to highlight the University of Illinois’ land acknowledgement
As a land-grant institution, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a responsibility to acknowledge the historical context in which it exists. We are currently on the lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Peankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasaw Nations. It is necessary for us to acknowledge these Native Nations and for us to work with them as we move forward as an institution.
You can learn more about the land acknowledgment here
Our Officers!
President – Alec Van Patten
Alec (he/him) is a senior studying Natural Resources and Environmental Science with a concentration in human dimensions of the environment! In his free time he likes to walk his dog, listen to music, consume content made by Donald Glover and doing whatever is needed for SECS!
Vice President – Shallon Malfeo
Shallon (she/her) is a senior studying Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability! She loves to spend time outdoors and make art in her free time. As Vice President this year she is excited to work with new and returning members on campus, continue pushing for fossil fuel divestment, and explore new campaign goals!
Outreach Coordinator – Owen Jennings
Owen (he/him) is a junior studying Earth, Society, Environmental Sustainability, and Philosophy! He is an avid and intermediately experienced rock climber, keeper of 40+ houseplants, frequent reader of sci-fi and fantasy fiction, occasional journeyman, and aspiring mandolinist!
Media Officer – Zoe Huspen
Zoe (she/her) is a junior studying Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability. She likes to spend time outdoors, read, and go to baseball games in her free time. She is excited to achieve new campaign goals this year!
Action Coordinator – Michelle Verlinsky
Michelle (she/her) is a junior studying Social Psychology and Environmental Sustainability. She loves to camp, cook, go to the gym, dance, and read psychology books in her free time!
Education Officer – Emily Detmers
Emily (she/her) is a senior studying Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability. She likes to to paint, go for walks, and hang out with friends in her free time!
Treasurer – Danika Ford
Danika (she/her) is a sophomore studying Natural Resources and Environmental Science. She loves to cook, read, and knit in her free time!
Secretary – Gabriel Kosmacher
Gabriel (he/him) is a junior studying Mathematics. He likes to spend time outdoors, reading, listening to music, and looking at advanced baseball statistics.
Government Liasion – Sophie Speedy
Sophie (she/her) is a senior studying economics with a minor in communication and natural resource conservation. She loves to waterski, and she is looking forward to reuniting SECS in person as well as continuing our work with the ICAP on campus.
Social Chair – Lexi Delmonico
Lexi (she/her) is a junior studying political science and creative writing. She loves reading, hiking, lots of coffee, and watching too much YouTube.