IUPUI hosts public events for national No Impact Week Oct. 4-8

Campus explores the Impact of No Impact Week with community swap meet, workshops, documentaries and tips for everyday life

Indianapolis - As part of its two-year Common Theme initiative to consider healthier, greener and more sustainable communities, IUPUI is participating in national No Impact Week October 4-8. Many public events have been planned on-campus, and the university is suggesting that people personally make changes, too, to become more aware of their effect on the environment.

"If we can get more people to make even small changes in their habits, we can have a significant impact on the health of our planet," said Lorrie A. Brown, chair of the No Impact Week Task Force. "That is the Impact of No Impact Week. I use reusable containers instead of plastic bags, and I try to remember to turn off the lights when I leave a room, but I look forward to learning what more I can do."

Among the week's events and activities, which are open to the public, are:


Monday, October 4: Trash/Consumption Day

· Free swap market. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., UC Courtyard

· The Story of Stuff, free screening and discussion led by IUPUI professors Jasper Sumner and Paul Mullins. Noon-1 p.m., Democracy Plaza


Tuesday, October 5: Transportation Day

· Demystifying Indy's Public Transportation System, panel discussion featuring Bryan Luellen from IndyGo, Anita Beverly from Central Indiana Commuter Services and IUPUI's own Mona Kheiry and Sarah Lang.12:15-1:15 p.m., Campus Center, room 309

· Free Bicycle Checkupby Bike Line in Broad Ripple.10 a.m.-2 p.m., Democracy Plaza

· Group commute, meet at Mo'Joe Coffeehouse to bike or walk to campus. 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., 222 W. Michigan St., RSVP: katykaes@iupui.edu.


Wednesday, October 6: Food Day

· Take the Red Line from IUPUI to City's Market's Farmer's Market, free with an S-Pass, or tickets available. Meet at the Red Line stop outside the Campus Center on University Blvd., to leave with a group at either 10 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.

· Smoothies Demonstration sponsored by the Student Wellness Coalition; raw food chef Audrey Barron will show how to prepare fruit and vegetable smoothies and provide free samples and recipes. Noon-1:30 p.m., Campus Center, room 305

· Garden work day with IUPUI Urban Garden and Developing IUPUI's Gardens Sustainably (DIGS). 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the new community garden, located behind the Science Building (off Michigan and Blackford). RSVP: katykaes@iupui.edu.


Thursday, October 7: Energy Day

· Renewable Energy Demonstrations featuring the Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy and the Energy Club at IUPUI. Time to be announced, UC Courtyard

· IUPUI community Earth Hour featuring John Kamman from Campus Facility Services, speaking on responsible energy use on IUPUI's campus. Noon-1 p.m., Campus Center, room 308


Friday, October 8: Water Day

· Addicted to Plastic, free screening and discussion. 1-3 p.m., Lilly Auditorium

· Water-related service project. 1-4 p.m., White River State Park, RSVP: katykaes@iupui.edu.