On Campus Sustainability Day, Oct. 22, we recognized the successes, challenges, and innovations of sustainability in higher education. The University of Iowa Office of Sustainability and several student environmental organizations dedicated the entire week of Oct. 20-24 to this national celebration, “Empowering Change on Campus and in the Community.”

The following locations allowed students and staff to calculate their carbon footprint from 11-1 p.m. They were then invited to share how they could reduce that footprint.

• Monday: Burge
• Tuesday: Hillcrest
• Wednesday: The River Room
• Thursday: The Main Library
• Friday: T. Ann Cleary Walkway (Kautz Plaza)

University of Iowa Environmental Coalition, Eco-Hawk, UI Student Garden, and UI Student Government members supported this effort.

The Office of Sustainability hosted a webinar 1 p.m. Oct. 22 in its office 1680 UCC (first floor Old Capitol Mall) which featured higher education sustainability leaders discussing ways in which students can make a difference, be a part of sustainability solutions, and build a career in the sustainability field.

CSD has been around since 2003 and is a time time to reflect on the success of the sustainability movement in higher education. Hundreds of campuses and dozens of supporting organizations have contributed to the national day of celebration by hosting discussions, webcasts, panels, and more.

Organizations Endorsing Campus Sustainability Day:

• Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (organizer)
• Association of American Colleges and Universities (organizer)
• Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (organizer)
• National Wildlife Federation (organizer)
• Second Nature (organizer)
• Society for College and University Planning (organizer)