Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.54
Liaison Elizabeth MacKenzie
Submission Date Aug. 8, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of Iowa
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Liz Christiansen
Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:

University of Iowa's Office of Sustainability operates a central website for sustainability information, events, and news. The website includes information about university sustainability initiatives, including a detailed look at specific sustainability topics (energy + climate, food, recycling, water, etc) and campus life, with information about dining, classrooms + offices, living space, etc. Also featured are:
- sustainability-related academic programs and research opportunities
- recent sustainability news
- upcoming sustainability events
- information for students and faculty/staff to get involved
- Sustainability Blog
- links to social media and email listservs.

A link to the UI Office of Sustainability website is featured on the University of Iowa's homepage.


The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

UI's Office of Sustainability maintains a Sustainability Blog on its website. Interested readers can subscribe to receive blog updates by email. The blog features sustainability news/tips about campus and community events.

The Office of Sustainability regularly produces a newsletter which is sent out to Facebook friends, key partners and volunteers. In addition, UI Facilities Management produces a regular newsletter focused on recycling during the academic year.


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:

The University of Iowa strives to provide a high-quality educational experience for its students. Participation in research and scholarly activities represents an opportunity, uniquely available at research universities, to enhance the overall undergraduate experience. The research support programs available through the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates encourage the direct involvement of undergraduate students in the scholarly efforts of faculty by providing financial support for a student involved in research.

The Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates office works in conjunction with the following offices and organizations:

University of Iowa Honors Program (UIHP)
Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
Iowa Biosciences Advantage Program (IBA)
Summer Research Opportunities Program
Graduate Student Senate (GSS)
Iowa Research Online


The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :

The new LEED Gold Iowa Hygienic Laboratory has building signage on every floor that describes various LEED aspects of the building including recycled content materials and energy efficiency design and devices.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

The Residential Dining staff is committed to providing nutritious and delicious foods for students. To aid in making healthy food choices, Residential Dining provides a detailed nutritional breakdown of the most popular menu items through the Menus page. Sample menus for balanced, healthy 2000-calorie days at the Market Place are available to help guide selections. In addition, there is a brochure to help explore vegetarian options in the Market Place.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:

The first rain garden established at Kuhl House on University of Iowa property includes an interpretive sign regarding the design and benefits of rain gardens.


The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The GIS student group prepared a campus map that identifies sustainability-related features on campus.


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:

UI's Parking & Transportation Department offers alternative methods of traveling around campus and town. Carpool and vanpool programs exist for all employees. Campus buses are free to everyone, while UI students and employees receive discounts on other local bus routes. The Office of Sustainability website features all this information plus a guide to biking in Iowa City.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

The Office of Sustainability website includes a section dedicated to campus life, which includes information for those living in University Housing and a virtual dorm room. There is also information about the UI recycling program, local transportation options, and how to get involved in sustainability-related student organizations.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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)?:
Yes

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:

The Daily Iowan student newspaper assigns a student reporter to sustainability/environmental issues.


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:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

An annual report of sustainability progress is presented each year to the Iowa Board of Regents.


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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
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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.