Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.66
Liaison Eric Boles
Submission Date March 5, 2021
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Arkansas
EN-11: Inter-Campus Collaboration

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Marty Matlock
Executive Director
Office for Sustainability
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Is the institution an active member of a national or international sustainability network?:
Yes

The name of the national or international sustainability network(s):
The Sustainability Consortium is a collaboration between the University of Arkansas and Arizona State University. It is an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. We develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives.

Is the institution an active member of a regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network?:
Yes

The name of the regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s):
SEC Sports Sustainability Summit which was supposed to meet in May of 2020, has moved to monthly Zoom calls across SEC schools. After COVID, the group plans to have annual meetups to discuss SEC sports sustainability initiatives. 5th Annual Sustainability Conference focusing on Sustainability in Higher Education and Partnerships in Regional Education Institutions in NE Oklahoma Solid Waste Association of North America (Arkansas Chapter) in Springdale, Arkansas

Has the institution presented at a sustainability conference during the previous year? :
Yes

A list or brief description of the conference(s) and presentation(s):
The Sustainability Consortium presented at The Annual National Wildlife Federation EcoCareers Conference. The NWF EcoCareers Conference educates students and young professionals on wildlife and sustainability careers. Ultimately creating a better understanding for the attendees in the green sector. https://news.uark.edu/articles/50139/fay-jones-school-hosts-symposium-on-design-excellence-in-timber-and-wood Housing Northwest Arkansas Regional Symposium, Hosted by the Fay Jones Schol of Architecture at the University of Arkansas. Over two days, regional and national experts discuss housing policy, finances, design, development, and construction. https://news.uark.edu/articles/40731/housing-northwest-arkansas-regional-symposium-planned-for-feb-3-4 The University of Arkansas Community Design Center and Office for Sustainability presented at the World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam in November 2019. The project presented was the Whitmore Community Food Hub, which addressed the possible food hazards in Hawaii. Hawaii only having a supply of 15 meals on the island at one time, Arkansas developed an idea that focused on four pillars. Those being; Logistics, Placemaking, Connectivity, and Anchoring. This case study won multiple reports, one being an Urban planning finalist. Which concluding with the team commuting to Hawaii and presenting the idea, with the other finalists. https://uacdc.uark.edu/work/whitmorecommunityfoodhubcomplex 2020 didn't have much travel due to COVID, but many professors still participated in online conferences.

Has the institution submitted a case study during the previous year to a sustainability awards program that is inclusive of multiple campuses? :
Yes

A list or brief description of the awards program(s) and submission(s):
The University of Arkansas Community Design Center submitted nearly a dozen design studies to sustainability awards programs throughout 2020. One good example was the 7hills Homeless Day Center study, which received a 2020 American Architecture Award and 2020 The Plan Awards: Health Honorable Mention. https://uacdc.uark.edu/work/7hills-homeless-day-center

Has the institution had staff, students or faculty serving on a board or committee of a sustainability network or conference during the previous three years? :
Yes

A list or brief description of the board or committee appointment(s):
The UofA had multiple members that organized and hosted the National Council for Science and the Environment council of academic deans in the summer of 2019. UA leadership is also involved with planning for 2020. Additionally, the UofA has other faculty and staff that are spread out between different committees around NWA. Some other committees are; Food LCA Committee, CILCA, and a Sustainability Education Committee.

Does the institution have an ongoing mentoring relationship with another institution through which it assists the institution with its sustainability reporting and/or the development of its sustainability program?:
Yes

A brief description of the mentoring relationship and activities:
In 2017, the University of Arkansas hosted the SEC Facility Leaders and had many campus sustainability-focused presentations. The SEC Facility Leaders discuss regularly and meet annually to discuss topics of sustainability.

Has the institution had staff, faculty, or students serving as peer reviewers of another institution’s sustainability data (e.g. GHG emissions or course inventory) and/or STARS submission during the previous three years?:
No

A brief description of the peer review activities:
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Has the institution participated in other collaborative efforts around sustainability during the previous year, e.g. joint planning or resource sharing with other institutions? :
Yes

A brief description of other collaborative efforts around sustainability during the previous year:
The UA director of the Office For Sustainability has shared in planning the SEC Sports Sustainability Summit as well partnered with the Solve Climate 2030 program with Bard Center for Environmental Policy.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.