| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.32 |
| Liaison | Merry Rankin |
| Submission Date | Aug. 29, 2022 |
Iowa State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
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?:
Website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter or social media platform that focuses specifically on campus sustainability?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter or social media platform:
Live Green! Monthly is an electronic publication produced by student members of the Live Green! Leadership Team and distributed via email listserv, the Live Green! website and social media platforms. The newsletter highlights various on- and off-campus sustainability initiatives and achievements and features interviews with campus and alumni sustainability leaders, ongoing on-campus sustainability research, information about efforts from sustainable student clubs and organizations, sustainable employment and volunteer opportunities, and general interest resources, stories and challenges regarding incorporating sustainability into day-to-day decisions and consideration.
Does the institution have signage that highlights sustainability features on campus?:
A brief description of the signage that highlights sustainability features on campus:
Building signage: Online brochures, highlighting green features and (for some buildings also offering a self-guided walking tour), are available for Iowa State's LEED certified buildings. Featured LEED buildings also include touchscreen kiosks offering visitors and occupants the opportunity to learn more about the sustainable features within those buildings. Finally, each of ISU’s LEED-certified facilities also has a LEED plaque prominently displayed close to the main entrance.
Dining signage: 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. “Rooted in Iowa” branding is displayed in ISU Dining markets above local food items.
Grounds signage: Signage is featured near landscaping features such as native plantings, water-permeable walkways, protected/historically significant trees, and designated hammocking areas to highlight sustainable commitment and impact. Iowa State Facilities Planning and Management also heavily promotes the "Keep Iowa State Beautiful" litter-reduction, waste-reduction, and recycling campaign with signage featured in key campus areas, including interior and exterior spaces, as well as on all of the solar-powered recycling and trash compactor wrap signage.
Does the institution provide a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The Sustainability Walking Map highlights several facets of ISU's sustainable infrastructure, including:
- Sustainably-designed buildings and facilities
- Sustainability research and studies
- Sustainable landscaping and grounds initiatives
- Sustainability programs and partnerships
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/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Iowa State’s Live Green Initiative offers several resources related to sustainable living, including 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.
As well as offering sustainability walking tour highlights, the Sustainability Walking Tour document, also includes tips and ideas for infusing sustainability into daily decisions and the residential and campus experience.
A brief description of other comprehensive sustainability outreach materials and publications not covered above:
Iowa State’s Facilities Planning & Management Department produces and manages an online map of bicycle trails on campus. This also includes locations of bike racks and bike service areas throughout the university. Iowa State Transportation Services offers outreach materials and information related to carpool, vanpool and transportation shuttle options, as well as locations for campus electric vehicle charging stations. The university and City also collaborate on maps and education and awareness materials related to community multi-use pathways, shared use roadways, sustainable transportation, including CyRide and electric vehicle charging locations.
ISU Extension runs several blogs focusing on different sustainability topics including:
Spend Smart, Eat Smart - Money Tip$ - Words on Wellness - Integrated Crops Management - Manure Scoop - Small Farms
The Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development manages a web portal which serves as a hub for the seven college research units in the university, each with its own website including links, news, and articles. These sites publish and disseminate all research done within the colleges, including any prominent student sustainability research. The office also sends out a biweekly newsletter to 3800 people highlighting research projects happening on campus.
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.