| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.34 |
| Liaison | Elizabeth MacKenzie |
| Submission Date | July 24, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Iowa
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Sara
Maples Interim Director The UI Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
University of Iowa's Office of Sustainability operates a central website for sustainability information, events, and news. The website includes information about university sustainability initiatives, including a detailed look at specific sustainability topics (energy, climate, food, recycling, water, etc) and campus life (dining, classrooms + offices, living space, etc.)
Also featured are:
- campus-wide sustainability vision
- sustainability-related academic programs and research opportunities
- recent sustainability news
- upcoming sustainability events
- information for students and faculty/staff to get involved (EcoHawks)
- descriptions of various sustainability initiatives
- links to social media and email listservs
A link to the UI Office of Sustainability website is featured on the University of Iowa's homepage.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Office of Sustainability produces a monthly newsletter which is sent out to EcoHawks, Facebook friends, key partners and volunteers. In addition, UI Facilities Management produces a regular newsletter focused on recycling during the academic year. The newsletter keeps stakeholders up to date on sustainability events and opportunities.
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The UI Office of Sustainability maintains robust and active Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Instagram accounts that are regularly updated, often multiple times every day.
The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
Does the institution have regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat?:
A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
The Daily Iowan student newspaper assigns a student reporter to sustainability/environmental issues, and regularly publishes stories related to the topic.
The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The University of Iowa strives to provide a high-quality educational experience for its students. Participation in research and scholarly activities represents an opportunity, uniquely available at research universities, to enhance the overall undergraduate experience. The research support programs available through the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates encourage the direct involvement of undergraduate students in the scholarly efforts of faculty by providing financial support for a student involved in research.
The Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates office works in conjunction with the following offices and organizations:
University of Iowa Honors Program (UIHP)
Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
Iowa Biosciences Advantage Program (IBA)
Summer Research Opportunities Program
Graduate Student Senate (GSS)
Iowa Research Online
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
The University has 8 LEED Certified Building Projects. There is a plackard on the front of the building denoting the certificaiton.
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
The Residential Dining staff is committed to providing nutritious and delicious foods for students. To aid in making healthy food choices, Residential Dining provides a detailed nutritional breakdown of the most popular menu items through the Menus page. Sample menus for balanced, healthy 2000-calorie days at the Market Place are available to help guide selections. In addition, there is a brochure to help explore vegetarian options in the Market Place.
The student garden was formed in 2009 on a 1/3rd acre plot at Hawkeye Campus. UI garderners engage in an organic food production process and the produce is included in meals served to the University students. Compost from pre-consumer food waste is also used to strengthen the fertility of the soil, hence closing the food loop system.
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The GIS student group prepared a campus map that identifies sustainability-related features on campus.
Additionally, the Office of Sustainability has historically organized tours. For example, Eco Hawks, students from University of Iowa organizes tours of the green roof on Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building as a green roof initiatives on campus. The students learn about the benefits of green roof.
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
UI's Parking & Transportation Department offers alternative methods of traveling around campus and town. Carpool and vanpool programs exist for all employees. Campus buses are free to everyone, while UI students and employees receive discounts on other local bus routes. The Office of Sustainability website features all this information plus a guide to biking in Iowa City.
The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
The Office of Sustainability and University Parking and Transportation provide multiple materials related to safety, education, and locations of bike facilities. The Office of Sustainability also offers a number of materials on bike advocacy and the university's bike campus USA designation.
The UI Office of Sustainability hosts a very active and involved Bicycle Advisory Committee. The committee meets once a month and tackles issues such as bicycle support services, bicycle planning and safe bicycling. The University of Iowa became the first Bicycle Friendly University (Silver) designated in Iowa.
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Office of Sustainability website includes a section dedicated to campus life, which includes information for those living in University Housing and a virtual dorm room. There is also information about the UI recycling program, local transportation options, and how to get involved in sustainability-related student organizations.
The Office of Sustainability and University Housing and Dining offers information on sustainable living in the dorms, an interactive example dorm room, and an energy efficiency guide. The Office of Sustainability also offers a Resident Adviser toolkit for RA's to educate and introduce sustainability into students' lives.
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
A brief description of these materials or publications:
The university produced a 20-20 vision outlining the University of Iowa's Sustainability targets, broken down into seven distinct categories.
The website URL for these materials or publications:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.