| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.54 |
| Liaison | Elizabeth MacKenzie |
| Submission Date | Aug. 8, 2013 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Iowa
ER-1: Student Sustainability Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.00 / 5.00 |
Liz
Christiansen Director Office of Sustainability |
Total number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
Program name (1st program):
Number of students served by the program to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (1st program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):
The UI Office of Sustainability conducts training with Resident Assistants (RAs) to inform them of resources available for sustainability programming, including the sustainability toolkit. The toolkit includes the Green Event Guide (PDF), Green Teams Programming Ideas, Bulletin Board Designs, Talking Points and the UI recycling guide. An example activity is a planning guide for a fair-trade chocolate and coffee tasting. RAs have used the guide to hold an event where student residents learn about the benefits of fair-trade products while tasting the products.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):
RAs are student staff members, employed by University Housing, who assist students in their acclimation to the residence halls and the university. RAs provide information about activities, events, and policies and also assist students with roommate conflicts, homesickness, and academic concerns. Each RA also plans social programs for students on his/her floor. A Resident Assistant is assigned to each floor in the residence halls. A Community Assistant (CA) is assigned to each University Housing Apartment area.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):
The UI Office of Sustainability staff meets with RAs during their extension summer training session to review the content of the toolkit and how to use different items. We respond to questions and encourage a discussion about sustainability. We report on progress on our 2020 Sustainability Targets and why it's important that student residents help participate in meeting those targets.
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (1st program):
All materials included in the toolkit were developed by the UI Office of Sustainability and are offered for use by any RA or student. We offer presentations on request and will provide supplies for programming, including refreshments.
The website URL for 1st Program:
Program name (2nd program):
Number of students to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (2nd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
The UI Environmental Coalition Green Consulting Committee offers training and outreach to students, residence halls, Greek housing and local businesses and organizations.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
Interested students attend weekly meetings, held every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm in the Iowa City Public Library.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):
The UIEC Green Consulting Committee offers training to any interested student to support the following 2020 Sustainability Targets, specifically:
■#3 – Decrease Our Production of Waste
■#5 – Increase Student Opportunities to Learn and Practice Principles of Sustainability
■#7 – Develop Partnerships to Advance Collaborative Initiatives, both Academic and Operational
Training on waste diversion has resulted in a composting collection program that provides coffee grounds residue collection from the Java House and other local coffee shops to provide compost material for UI Student Garden.
The committee also provides training on hosting green events, using the Green Event Guide provided by the UI Office of Sustainability. The committee has been instrumental in supporting large event waste diversion at events such as Dance Marathon and the President's Block Party.
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):
The Green Consulting Committee is supported by the UI Environmental Coalition and by the UI Office of Sustainability. The UI Facilities Management staff has provided training on waste diversion and energy conservation.
The website URL for 2nd program:
Program name (3rd program):
Number of students to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (3rd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
The website URL for 3rd program:
Program name (All other programs):
Number of students to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (All other programs):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (All other programs):
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (All other programs):
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (All other programs):
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (All other programs):
The website URL for all other programs:
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.