| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.22 |
| Liaison | Jay Price |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2023 |
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
The Free Store
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
The Free Store is a community-based resource that is dedicated to diverting used material goods from the landfill and giving them back to students, faculty, and staff in order to meet their basic needs. The Free Store provides high-quality, lightly-used clothing, kitchenware, accessories, and small appliances at regularly scheduled Free Store Pop-Up events, as well as its permanent location.
By offering students an equal chance to take items for free, the Free Store is removing the stigma that surrounds financial insecurity. The cost of college can leave many students on a tight budget or going without necessities.
In a survey conducted by the Office of Sustainability in 2018, students reported that the monetary and convenience aspects of the Free Store were the most important to them. That shifted in 2019, as more students answered that reusing items was more important to them.
By offering students an equal chance to take items for free, the Free Store is removing the stigma that surrounds financial insecurity. The cost of college can leave many students on a tight budget or going without necessities.
In a survey conducted by the Office of Sustainability in 2018, students reported that the monetary and convenience aspects of the Free Store were the most important to them. That shifted in 2019, as more students answered that reusing items was more important to them.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Campus Engagement
Waste
Diversity & Affordability
Waste
Diversity & Affordability
Optional Fields
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
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A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Second Point of Distinction
UT Compost Facility
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
The Compost Facility is making huge strides on campus to reduce the amount of organic waste in landfills. In 2021, this facility composted over 730 tons of food waste, animal waste, and landscaping debris. The resulting nutrient-rich soil is distributed throughout UT campus in order to support other programs and initiatives, such as the UT Grow Lab.
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Food & Dining
Grounds
Waste
Grounds
Waste
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
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A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Third Point of Distinction
Food4VOLS
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Culinary Institute—located within the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, Department of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management—has created the food4VOLS program to end food insecurity and waste on campus. Partnering with Vol Dining, food4VOLS collects usable food from campus outlets and transports the food to the Culinary Institute where the food is transformed by students into ready-to-heat and ready-to-eat meals that are distributed to students through The Big Orange Pantry.
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Food & Dining
Waste
Diversity & Affordability
Waste
Diversity & Affordability
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
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A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.