| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.93 |
| Liaison | Merry Rankin |
| Submission Date | Aug. 30, 2013 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Iowa State University
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Merry
Rankin ISU Director of Sustainability Facilities Planning & Management |
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 that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Iowa State University has had a campus-wide sustainability initiative since 2008, called Live Green! As the overarching program promoting sustainability, Live Green maintains a central sustainability website that includes information on sustainability-related programs, a calendar for upcoming events, ways to live sustainably, and opportunities to study sustainability at Iowa State. This website also has information on resources for implementing sustainable initiatives and getting involved. Finally, there are marketing materials available to promote the initiative, including wallpaper and logos for use, links to other sites affiliated with the initiative, such as Live Green’s Twitter and Facebook pages, and contact information for campus sustainability leaders.
Date Revised: June 17, 2014
The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Live Green! Initiative at ISU publishes a monthly newsletter, called Live Green Monthly, which is distributed electronically through Live Green’s website and through email. This newsletter includes sustainability-related events, ways to live more sustainably, and information about student clubs or organizations promoting sustainability. This newsletter is published by an intern, who also includes seasonal stories related to student travel during breaks, environmental impacts of holidays, and information on what ISU programs do to be sustainable.
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Date Revised: June 20, 2014
Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Iowa State University has the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, which manages a webpage listing the various research centers and institutes on campus. Within the webpage are links to the seven college research units in the university, each with its own website that includes links, news, and articles. These sites publish and disseminate all research done within the colleges, and any prominent student research on sustainability is included.
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Date Revised: June 20, 2014
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Iowa State’s LEED certified buildings have touchscreen kiosks that allow visitors to learn more about the sustainable features within those buildings. In addition, all of Iowa State’s green buildings have online brochures available highlighting more green features and including a self-guided walking tour of certain buildings. Finally, each of ISU’s LEED certified facilities has a LEED plaque prominently displayed close to the main entrance.
Kiosk information:
http://morrill.isu.greentouchscreen.com/
http://www.morrill.iastate.edu/
Building information and brochures:
http://kingpavilion.isu.greentouchscreen.com/
http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps/buildings/docs/MORRILL/Capital%20Projects/LEED%20Brochure/Morrill%20Hall.pdf
http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps/buildings/docs/HACH/Capital%20Projects/LEED%20Brochure/Hach%20Hall.pdf
http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps/buildings/docs/BRL/Capital%20Projects/LEED%20Brochure/BRL.pdf
http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps/buildings/docs/KING%20PV/Capital%20Projects/LEED%20Brochure/King%20Pavilion.pdf
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
ISU’s dining facilities have signs highlighting local foods being served. This includes information on the “Farm to ISU” program, which coordinates the purchases of local, organic, and alternatively produced agricultural products. Part of the program consists of a “Meet the Farmer” event, where local farmers whose food is being served come to campus and discuss their farms. During this event, held at ISU dining halls, brochures are available with more information on individual farms. Finally, there are signs posted throughout food service areas highlighting ISU’s reusable mug discount program, which provides anyone who buys a beverage with their own container a $0.35 discount.
Information on "Meet the Farmer" events:
http://www.dining.iastate.edu/news/view?id=110
Information on the reusable mug discount:
http://www.dining.iastate.edu/sustainability/other-initiatives
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 grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
Iowa State has installed signs to educate about the variety of sustainable practices that are used on campus. Signs are intended to be installed at a site for a short period (up to 2 years) and are then relocated to new sites where practices are being implemented. They are printed on adhesive backed vinyl and are installed on aluminum sign blanks. Examples of sign messages include encouraging students to help maintain the campus lake’s water quality, promoting sidewalk use to help grass recovery, and informing students about the benefits of native prairies located on campus.
The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Iowa State University discusses Live Green, the university-wide sustainability initiative, on all campus tours. This includes showing the solar trash compactors on campus, talking about the history of sustainability at ISU, and highlighting the university’s LEED certified buildings. In this way, every visitor to Iowa State is able to learn about what Iowa State does to be green, and is physically exposed to sustainability during his/her tour of campus.
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Iowa State’s Government of the Student Body (GSB) provides a website with carpool and ride share information. Carpooling is for anyone looking to commute to Ames for class or work, while the ride share program is for anyone planning a road trip or for students going home. In addition, Iowa State’s Facilities Planning & Management Department manages an online map of bicycle trails on campus. This also includes locations of bike racks throughout the university.
Another on-campus resource for alternative methods of transportation is the Ames Intermodal Facility (AIF). This is Ames’s bus station, which is served by intercity buses to nearby cities such as Des Moines, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Chicago. The facility also has parking available, which is free for carpools and vanpools. Finally, Iowa State Transportation Services offers a vanpool program, through which university employees driving to and from work may use university owned vans to commute together with other staff members.
Bike route and rack website: http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps/
Ames Intermodal Facility:
https://aif-parking.sws.iastate.edu/
Vanpool information:
http://transportation.iastate.edu/vanpool
The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Iowa State’s Government of the Student Body (GSB) provides a link on their website to Campus Green Builder, a nationwide online resource for green building and sharing campus sustainability efforts. In addition, Iowa State’s Live Green Initiative has published a document called “10 Ways to Start Living Green!” This includes tips for reducing water use, electricity use, and other ways to incorporate sustainability into residential life. More tips can be found on Live Green’s “Tips” webpage.
Finally, the ISU Department of Residence (DOR) provides several resources to residents to incorporate green living into their facilities. The DOR maintains educational bulletin boards in residence halls with ways residents can decrease their energy use. There is also a green living guide called “Guide to the Green Galaxy” for Community Advisors, which are the leaders of each house in the university residences. This document includes tips on making a room more environmentally friendly, including links to resources for both dorm rooms and apartments. The CA’s are then able to use this information to spread to their residents. In addition, the DOR has slides with information on their website that are available to all students. The information was provided by the GreenHouse Group, a student organization on campus, and approved by the DOR. Presentations include tips to make a room more sustainable, information on reusing items instead of disposing them, and giving examples of common items that can be reused.
10 Ways to Start Living Green!: http://www.livegreen.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/10Things.pdf
Department of Residence: http://www.housing.iastate.edu/life/sustainability,http://www.housing.iastate.edu/life/sustainability/greenhouse
Live Green! Tips:
www.livegreen.iastate.edu/living/go
Date Revised: June 26, 2014
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Date Revised: June 23, 2014
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 regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
Iowa State’s student newspaper is the Iowa State Daily, which has several reporters who cover sustainability-related news on campus and in the community. Topics range from sustainable products, to the Ames farmer’s markets and campus energy. Examples of articles and photos taken by these reporters that have been published can be found in the URL.
The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
A brief description of this material:
Live Green! In Review is a document that was published in 2011 to cover all the accomplishments related to sustainability at ISU during the previous three years (2008-2011). The document paints a picture of the university’s sustainable journey through pictures, graphs, and articles that describe the progress Iowa State made in areas like education and research, waste reduction and diversion, and operations. This publication is available online through the Live Green initiative’s website.
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
A brief description of this material:
Iowa State’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture publishes a quarterly newsletter called the “Leopold Letter.” The newsletter’s mission is to inform readers about the Center’s programs and activities. In addition, the Letter has the broader goal of promoting sustainable farming and marketing opportunities for sustainable products, as well as encouraging discussion of sustainable agriculture both within Iowa and nationally. The publication includes updates on sponsored projects, information about classes related to sustainable agriculture, as well as recent news.
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
A brief description of this material:
Iowa State Extension and Outreach publishes an online blog connecting family and the environment. Entitled “Ecofamily,” the site includes posts submitted by community members discussing home products, making family events more sustainable, and other resources for families. Any post can be commented on by anyone, and readers can subscribe to the blog to automatically receive updates.
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
A brief description of this material:
Since the 2009-2010 academic year Iowa State has produced an annual Sustainability Progress Report. This is a summary of what has been done on campus to promote sustainability throughout the previous year, and is included on the Iowa Board of Regents meeting agendas. These reports are publicly available, and are meant to be all encompassing in the accomplishments described.
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The building signage information was provided by Kerry Dixon, Coordinator of Sustainable Design and Construction in ISU's Facilities Planning and Management Department. Contact: kdixon@iastate.edu
The sustainable grouds-keeping signage information was provided by Chris Strawhacker, Landscape Designer in ISU's Facilities Planning and Management Department. Contact: cstrawha@iastate.edu
Information on green living guides was provided by Carolyn Duven, Hall Director in ISU's Department of Residence. Contact: cduven@iastate.edu
The building signage information was provided by Kerry Dixon, Coordinator of Sustainable Design and Construction in ISU's Facilities Planning and Management Department. Contact: kdixon@iastate.edu
The sustainable grouds-keeping signage information was provided by Chris Strawhacker, Landscape Designer in ISU's Facilities Planning and Management Department. Contact: cstrawha@iastate.edu
Information on green living guides was provided by Carolyn Duven, Hall Director in ISU's Department of Residence. Contact: cduven@iastate.edu
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.