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.
For a full listing of all student orgs, visit Engage.
Check out these sustainability-oriented student groups:
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The American Society of Civil Engineers is committed to enriching the educational and professional experiences of University of Iowa students. The organization aids the development of personal and professional relationships by connecting students with professors, professionals, and each other at a number of social events. Sponsorship of engineering design competitions including Steel Bridge, Concrete Canoe and Corn Monument allows students to gain real-world experience through the application and exercise of principles learned in the classroom. Furthermore, the organization provides opportunities for leadership and community service. @uiowa_asce |
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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. |
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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. @uibioclub |
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City Planners at Iowa exists to bring awareness to social and equity issues around current urban development in Iowa and around the United States. These issues include auto dependency, lack of pedestrian friendly environments, and a severe lack of dense urban development. The state of our communities have created devasting side effects on both the social and environmental fabric of our society. We hope to bring awareness to these issues and advocate for solutions through public transit, city planning and city beautification. We hope to be a positive force in undoing the decades of damage to our communities, in order to create sustainable and vibrant communities for ourselves and our posterity. |
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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. @basicneedsatiowa |
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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. |
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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. @crcc_iowa |
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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! @uigardeners |
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The 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! @envirocoalition_iowa |
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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. |
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Environmental Science Club/Student Association of Environmental Sciences 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 r |
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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. @basicneedsatiowa |
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Global Medicine Society works to raise awareness about health disparities and empower students to take action. Examples of events held by this group are guest speakers, cultural exchanges, French and Spanish conversation hours, current event discussions, volunteering, and lunch at international restaurants. |
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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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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. @net_impact_uiowa |
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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. @uionehealth |
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Partners In Health Engage is a branch of the grassroots global health organization Partners In Health, which aims to reform health systems in the poorest communities around the world. We fundraise and advocate for the cause of providing long-term quality healthcare to the poor, and support the idea that health care is a universal human right! |
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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 |
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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. @quenchiowa |
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SACNAS chapters are a powerful and inclusive source of community that provides local and regional support for college students and professionals to succeed in STEM. Collectively, our chapters are the on-the-ground ambassadors behind SACNAS’ movement to achieve true diversity in STEM. @sacnasuiowa |
| Wilderness Medcine Interest Group | The Wilderness Medicine Interest Group was formed for students whose interests go beyond providing medical care in a traditional hospital or clinic setting. We are medical students who enjoy the great outdoors, and we like to apply our knowledge wherever we find ourselves. WMIG comes together a few times a year for lectures, procedural clinics, and outdoor excursions (rock climbing in nearby state parks, ice climbing, mountain biking at Sugar Bottom, or paddling Lake Macbride). Annual events include a canoe derby and camping trip as well as the challenging Wilderness Medicine Race. |
Inactive sustainability-oriented student orgs:
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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 |
| 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 |
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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. CURRENTLY INACTIVE |
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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! CURRENTLY INACTIVE |
