Outreach Subcommittee

Spring 2005 Summary

Environmental Leadership Awards

2004-2005 Environmental Leadership Award Winners:

UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATEMeghan Ruta Mark Hood

STAFF FACULTYJohn Wheeler Mark Carabetta

ALUMNI GROUPJoseph Helble Center for Land Use

Education & Research SPECIAL PROJECTSBiodiesel TeamTowers Rain Garden TeamCampus Bicycle Plan Team

Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Collection

Sneaker Recycling Program

Goal: collect 5,000 pairs of worn sneakers for recycling

•Ongoing collection: in all residential areas and athletic facilities

•Highlight event on Earth Day, April 22: “Sneaker Recycling Expo” featuring "Mount Sneaker”

•Sponsors: EcoHusky Student Group, Dept. of Residential Life, Division of Athletics, Student Athletic Advisory Committee, & Willimantic Waste Paper Company

Spring MoveOut

Advertising via campus mail and posters

7 collection Locations Collection results

donated to Windham Area Interfaith Ministries (WAIM) & the Coventry Soup Kitchen

ResLife Initiatives

Communications 215 Proposal: Living Environmentally Aware as Freshman (LEAF)

Meeting with ResLife Collaboration with Hall/Community Directors this

summer Educational postering/packets in orientation

dormitories Environmentally themed Week of Welcome (WOW) Television Public Service Announcements

Education & Literacy Survey

110 Faculty & Staff respondents; wide variety of departments and offices represented

Highlights:

Increasing student awareness & interest regarding the environment/sustainability

68.2% feel that it is VERY IMPORTANT to do so through campus outreach activities and educational programs

65% felt that it is VERY IMPORTANT to offer an Environmental Policy program of study

Education & Literacy Survey (Ctnd.)

Highlights

Development of an Environmental Policy Center 46% UConn would benefit GREATLY 38% Some benefits

Strong support (>45%) was also expressed for: Environmental major/minors picnic “EcoHusky Says” online column Environmental Policy ‘Brownbag’ Discussion group

Education & Literacy Survey (Ctnd.)

Highlights

Over 75% supported the development of an environmental career speaker series

Top three motivators to develop an environmentally related interdisciplinary course:

UConn grant funds Examples of similar courses previously offered at UConn and/or other

institutions Online resources such as lesson plans or project ideas

EcoHusky Student Group

EcoHusky Mug Day Campus Bike Plan Support Ride Ink Cartridge Recycling Town of Mansfield NAV Invasive Spp. Cleanups UConn Forest Cleanup Team-up Trail Marking Project Earth Day 2005

Green Machine Showcase Unplugged: An Alternative Energy Event & Concert Sneaker Recycling Expo & Mount Sneaker

Mount Hope River Cleanup