College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Student Organizations
One of the ways that the University of Iowa fosters leadership is by encouraging involvement in student organizations. Several sustainability-related groups thrive on campus and engage participants in action, outreach, and education. These organizations leave a lasting legacy at UI and provide a tangible real-life experience for UI students.
General student organizations can also incorporate sustainability into their core mission. See this PDF for some guidelines on establishing a sustainability position in your organization.
Check out these sustainability-oriented student groups:
Climate Reality Campus Corps |
The Climate Reality Campus Corps at the University of Iowa aims to educate and inspire other people and organizations to transition to a more sustainable future. Additionally, they provide a sense of community and support to those passionate about environmentalism who want to participate in being a part of the solution to the climate crisis. |
UI Environmental Science Club |
The University of Iowa Environmental Science Club is a resource for Environmental Science students that will create more of a community within the major. We intend for facilitate networking among students and faculty,provide information on research and job opportunities, and to give professional advice on how to succeed in the major and make students more attractive to employers. - CURRENTLY INACTIVE |
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The UI Environmental Coalition is a student organization dedicated to caring for and protecting the environment through activism, education, and enjoyment. We strive to instill a sense of pride in our natural environment and to share our passion for protecting our home. Some of our projects include a sustainability lecture series, film screenings, re-usable bag and bottle promotion, the Treasure Trade (a big clothes swap!), and a yearly benefit concert. We are always looking for new leaders and friends to lend a hand with one of our current projects or to bring to life a project of their own! |
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Net Impact focuses on sustainability and social responsibility in business. The mission of Net Impact is to inspire, educate, and equip individuals to use the power of business to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable world. Our chapter focuses on building knowledge about sustainability and sustainable practices that can be used here on campus as well as in students’ future professions. |
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Determined Gardeners Incorporating Radical Farming at the University of Iowa (D.I.R.T.), formerly know as the University of Iowa Gardeners, was established in the Spring of 2009. Growing sustainable, accessible produce is where our passion lies. Our 1/3-acre garden provides an educational model that addresses environmental, social, cultural, and economical issues that affect our contemporary food system. To ensure quality produce, we create an environment that is rooted in the principles of organic agriculture. Although we are not a certified organic garden, we grow our produce without the use of pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers. Our produce is currently donated to the University of Iowa Food Pantry, the Iowa City community, and to members of our organization. We hold weekly meetings on Tuesdays at 6:30pm, and we work in the Student Garden from the end of March until November. New volunteers and members are always welcome, and no skills are needed or required. We all grow and learn together! |
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Bike Friends promotes cycling fun and safety through group rides, touring trips, and biking orientated activities. The goal of Bike Friends is to encourage students, faculty, and staff to bike for recreation, promote health, a foster a friendly environment for recreational bicycling. CURRENTLY INACTIVE |
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The UI Chapter of the American Wind Energy Association promotes wind energy on campus through projects, events, and professional development for careers in wind energy and other areas that focus on the environment and sustainability. CURRENTLY INACTIVE |
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The Iowa Community Integrated Geography Organization (ICIGO) is a student organization within the Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences that utilizes experiences and skills gained in the classroom to support projects focused on sustainability in the community and state. |
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The Global Health Club provides an atmosphere to discuss health on an inter-national and local scale. We build our club and projects off of our mantra, "Global Health is Local Health." Our projects always include a culturally competent approach and create benefits that our neighbros can reap. |
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The mission of Quench is two-fold: to raise awareness about the World Water Crisis while also providing safe, clean drinking water to those in need around the world. This also contributes to a successful future for the villages as people will be allowed to go to work and school instead of walking miles each day to fetch water with water-borne diseases. We raise funds through donations, fundraising events, and the sales of our Quench merchandise. |
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The Vegan Society (VegUI) is an organization dedicated to raising awareness for important food and environmental issues both in our community and around the world. They hold bake sales frequently throughout the semester, volunteer once a month at nearby farm sanctuaries, and host and participate in other fun events and activities! |
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Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) has been working for more than 50 years to create a healthy, just and peaceful world for both the present and future generations. PSR advocates on the issues you care about by addressing the dangers that threaten communities, using our medical and public health expertise |
Food Pantry at Iowa | The Food Pantry's mission is to provide nutritious food and basic necessities for University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff in need, and to fight food insecurity through education and advocacy. |
Clothing Closet | The Clothing Closet's mission is to provide undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Iowa with access to quality, new or used, professional clothing at no cost. |
UI Environmental Law Society | The purpose of the Environmental Law Society (ELS) is to expose the Law School community to environmental law and policy issues through volunteer and informational events. ELS also hopes to educate law students in what legal opportunities and careers are out there. |
UI Biological Interests Organization | The UI Biological Interests Organization (UIBIO) is dedicated to student development in the biological fields. This organization provides research opportunities, career networking, and pre-professional experiences intended to cultivate interest in biology and the surrounding community while fostering an environment of fellowship among students and faculty. |
Fair Trade at Iowa | Fair Trade Campaigns is a powerful grassroots movement mobilizing thousands of conscious consumers and Fair Trade advocates at schools, on campuses and in communities across the United States. We are part of a global effort to normalize Fair Trade as an institutional practice and consumer preference across 24 countries and on six continents. Our mission is to grow a nationwide community of passionate, lifelong Fair Trade advocates. CURRENTLY INACTIVE |
Connecting Science to Society | Connecting Science to Society aims to bridge the gap between scientists, policy-makers, and the general population. We do this by providing an outlet for students interested in science policy and communication to learn about and practice skills pertaining to these areas. |
One Health Student Group | The mission of the One Health Student Group is to promote the One Health concept that human health, animal health, and environmental health are inextricably linked, and interdisciplinary collaboration and communication are needed to solve complex health problems at local, national, and global levels. The purpose of the One Health Student Group is to connect members of the university among different colleges (undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs) and professional backgrounds to learn about the One Health concept, apply the One Health framework within their field, and practice interdisciplinary collaboration. Activities of this organization include regular meetings with guest speakers, workshops, and access to One Health resources. |