Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.17
Liaison Chris Frantsvog
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Luther College
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Toby Cain
Sustainability Coordinator
Center for Sustainable Communities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at students and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability? :
Yes

Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at employees and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Yes

Name of the campaign:
Move Out Waste Diversion

A brief description of the campaign, including how students and/or employees were engaged:

Since 2013 we have undertaken significant efforts to educate students about responsibly moving out and also to provide better signage and infrastructure to handle the various streams. 2018 was the most successful move-out yet, with over 40 students working or volunteering on behalf of an organization to help divert waste.


A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign:

In May 2018, 1600 pounds of food were donated to the local food pantry and 17 full 18' trucks were filled with goods that were donated to local thrift stores.

Overall waste hauling in May 2018 was down 56% from our 2005 baseline. During move-out week specifically there was a 23% reduction in waste since move-out week 2013 (no weekly data available prior to 2013).


The website URL where information about the campaign is available:
Name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
Community Supported Agriculture Reimbursement Program

A brief description of the campaign, including how students and/or employees were engaged (2nd campaign):

Recognizing the importance of vegetable consumption as part of a healthy diet, Wellness, Sustainability and the Health Care Council offer Luther College faculty and staff households a 50% reimbursement (up to $100) on vegetable CSA shares. This program was piloted in 2012, at which point 37 households participated. In 2013 participated nearly tripled to 97 total households. Participation has remained steady at an average of 98 households from 2013-2018. Faculty and staff can choose from a variety of CSA options offered in the local area.


A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):

After a survey of CSA program participants was conducted in 2018, 88% of 50 responding participants claim to have eaten more fruits and vegetables. Only 14% of respondents reported that they would buy a CSA share without financial assistance from Luther. 68% of participants reported an increase in home cooking, 88% have participated for more than one year, and 70% tried a new vegetable because of the program.

This program not only has an impact on faculty and staff, but also on local farmers who have been able to develop or expand CSA offerings to meet increased demand coming from Luther employees.


The website URL where information about the campaign is available (2nd campaign):
A brief description of other sustainability-related outreach campaigns, including measured positive impacts:
---

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
---

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.