Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 59.34
Liaison Elizabeth MacKenzie
Submission Date July 24, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Iowa
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Sara Maples
Interim Director
The UI Office of Sustainability
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Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Air & Climate:
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Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Buildings:
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Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Energy:

As part of the University of Iowa’s goal to use zero coal by the year 2025, the University of Iowa Power Plant is looking to increase their biomass powered generation capabilities. As part of this process, the University is exploring the construction of a pelletizing facility in the Iowa City area. The MBA student consulting team is tasked with creating a business plan for the pelletizing facility. The business plan will include an estimated cost structure of the facility based on inbound shipment costs, outbound shipment costs, and operating costs as well as an analysis of the most beneficial ownership structure for the University. With the cost structure in place, the team will be able to evaluate the economic viability of various renewable sources compared to the current cost of coal and natural gas. Additionally, the MBA team will anticipate any community concerns that could arise from a facility and will outline a marketing strategy to alleviate these concerns.


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Food & Dining?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Food & Dining:

The University of Iowa  Student Garden has been producing a variety of spring and summer produce that the students provided to the food service for inclusion in meals served to University students, faculty and staff at the Iowa Memorial Union. The UI Gardeners club maintain a commercial-size operation on the 1/3rd acre plot on the Hawkeye Campus. The greenhouse was installed in April 2009. Compost from pre-consumer food waste is applied to the garden to prepare and fertilize the soil, creating a full circle of on-campus, locally grown produce using organic methods of gardening.


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Grounds:

In 2015, the University of Iowa and Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities partnered to monitor and manage Emerald Ash Borer. 6 students were involved in the research of the community's ash tree condition and coverage in Iowa City, including counting trees, recording their GPS coordinates, and measuring characteristics. Using this data, students created a map of ash tree coverage and identified priority sites in which they recommended that the city implement monitoring and management strategies. Treatment or replacement options for ash trees was also recommended.


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Purchasing:
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Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Transportation:

The University of Iowa's Office of Sustainability takes on several undergraduate interns each semester. Student interns are responsible for coordinating with student organizations and campus departments to administer sustainable campus outreach activities (coordination & planning). Examples of past intern events include recycle mania (waste), the winter warriors bicycle challenge (transportation), the Tiny Trash initiative (waste), promotion of sustainability speakers, and involvement in various sustainability committees on campus. The transportation intern also worked on the bike friendly university application in which the UI received a silver rating, serves on campus planning initiatives related to bikes and coordinates with the Bike Friends student organization.


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Waste:

The University of Iowa's Office of Sustainability takes on several undergraduate interns each semester. Student interns are responsible for coordinating with student organizations and campus departments to administer sustainable campus outreach activities (coordination & planning). Examples of past intern events include recycle mania (waste), the winter warriors bicycle challenge (transportation), the Tiny Trash initiative (waste), promotion of sustainability speakers, and involvement in various sustainability committees on campus. The waste interns conduct waste audits for the UI hospital and departments around campus, analyze data and develop reports. They also support campus move-out, an initiative to donate unwanted items to Goodwill Industries. In addition, they support recycling engagement activities through the EcoHawks program.


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Water:

IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering is a world-renowned center for education, research, and public service focusing on hydraulic engineering and fluid mechanics. Based in the C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory, a five-story red brick building on the banks of the Iowa River, IIHR is a unit of the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering. At IIHR, students, faculty members, and research engineers work together to understand and manage one of the world’s greatest resources—water. Students from around the world benefit from IIHR’s comprehensive multidisciplinary approach, which includes basic fluid mechanics, laboratory experimentation, and computational approaches.


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Coordination & Planning:

The University of Iowa's Office of Sustainability takes on several undergraduate interns each semester. Student interns are responsible for coordinating with student organizations and campus departments to administer sustainable campus outreach activities (coordination & planning). Examples of past intern events include recycle mania (waste), the winter warriors bicycle challenge (transportation), the Tiny Trash initiative (waste), promotion of sustainability speakers, and involvement in various sustainability committees on campus. The coordination and planning intern works with student organizations to coordinate activities and connect students with sustainability-related opportunities on campus. Students also serve on the Campus Planning Presidential Charter Committee which oversees planning activities at the UI.


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Diversity & Affordability:

The Center for Diversity and Enrichment prepares students for role of Iowa Edge Peer Leader; working with African American, Alaskan Native, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latino/a, and first generation college students; development of leadership, group facilitation, presentation, and peer mentoring skills here at the University of Iowa


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Investment & Finance:

The Frontier Co-op – Tippie Impact Competition is an on-campus case competition revolving around sustainability issues facing our society, specifically in the business environment. Students learn how to develop a sustainable business model and identify environmental and social components that factor into the long-term profitability and viability of their business. Throughout the competition, students consult with faculty, business owners, and sustainability professionals to work through their business model canvas. During the finals, students pitch their sustainable business concept to a panel of judges. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners, as well as an opportunity to develop their business inside the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory (BELL).


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Public Engagement:

Greenhouse gas and energy reduction were identified as two major goals for 2015 in The City of Iowa City’s 2014 Sustainability Report. The City was, then, pursuing several initiatives to achieve those goals, including an agreement with MidAmerican Energy to convert all of Iowa City’s streetlights into LED fixtures. The LED fixtures are expected to last 25 times longer and operate 75 percent more efficiently than incandescent bulbs. A student from the College of Engineering assisted the City with the streetlight conversion process during the Fall 2015 semester. This student worked closely with the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities and the City of Iowa City’s Sustainability Coordinator to calculate the energy and money savings that resulted from the conversion of incandescent bulbs into LED fixtures. This work was a significant aspect of the streetlight conversion process, and will be essential to the continued success of the project.


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Wellbeing & Work:

Living Learning Communities at the University of Iowa are a way for first-year students to meet other people who share their interests. The Green Adventures Living Learning Community in Petersen Hall,  is rooted in recreation, an appreciation for the outdoors, and the shared pursuit of sustainability. Residents enjoy on- and off-campus excursions, an active lifestyle, and advocacy for the health of our earth.


Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to other areas (e.g. arts & culture or technology)?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to other areas:

Art & Culture:
SCLP:3895 "Topics on Sculpture: Art at the Edge of the Landfill." During the course, students looked into artists working with a wide range of materials- ranging from the raw, the found, to the discarded whose practices are evocative, political and powerful. Post-consumer materials were used for all projects. Students are required to complete their own project using Post-Consumer materials.


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