University of Nebraska Omaha: Essay Outline - Sustainability at UNO

This assignment presents an argumentative essay outline focused on the sustainability efforts at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). The outline begins with an introduction that includes a hook, background information defining sustainability on campus, and an overview of UNO's sustainability goals and the STARS rating system. The essay's proposition highlights the range of efforts and community participation for a sustainable campus, while the opposition acknowledges UNO's lower STARS ranking compared to other universities. The thesis statement argues for the extension of current efforts, including campus enhancements, to foster stronger progress toward sustainability. The body paragraphs analyze existing efforts, such as conservation and waste management, and compare them to those of other universities. The essay addresses counterarguments, discussing pessimism versus optimism, and concludes by restating the thesis, suggesting the adoption of best practices from higher-performing universities, and emphasizing the importance of a sustainable environment and the need for ongoing improvements. The outline is designed to help students understand the structure and content of an argumentative essay on this topic.

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UNO Sustainability
Assignment title

Essay Outline: Sustainability at UNO
I. Introduction paragraph
a. Hook: Are the efforts at UNO towards meeting Sustainability goals strong or
weak?
b. Background information:
i. Definition of sustainability at campus
ii. Vision and Goals at UNO towards a sustainable infrastructure
iii. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) and
UNO commitments
iv. Efforts analysis
1. Proposition: Wide range of efforts and community participation for
a sustainable campus.
2. Opposition: Higher ranking of other university at STARS, where
UNO ratings are in Silver category as of March 19, 2019
submission.
c. Thesis statement: Efforts at University of Nebraska at Omaha should be extended
including the campus enhancements, for stronger progress towards sustainability.
II. Body paragraph 1: First point: Proposition - Existing efforts at UNO – an analysis
a. Supporting idea 1: Conservation and Perseverance – Sourced from UNO website
i. Detail: water conservation and landscaping practices
ii. Detail: energy efficiency and conservation practices
iii. Detail: waste management and procurement strategies
b. Supporting idea 2: Competitive efforts at Gold campus - Sourced from Iowa State
University
i. Detail: Live Green initiative
ii. Detail: similar advisory committee
iii. Detail: Green campus initiatives
III. Body paragraph 2: Second point: Opposition – Lacking efforts and progress at UNO
a. Supporting idea 1: Low connection and involvement at campus – Sourced from
UNO website
i. Detail: slow progress at SustainUNO and Every Bite Counts
ii. Detail: inadequate participation from staff
b. Supporting idea 2: Higher efforts at contending universities – Sourced from
University of Minnesota website
i. Detail: Strong student association rules and programs
ii. Detail: Detailed programs with accountability and ownership
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IV. Counterargument and refutation paragraph
Counterargument point: An argument can be made about what one wants to focus at.
Self-participation, positive efforts and performance initiatives can all be objected, but
criticism is easy.
a. Supporting idea 1: Pessimism or Optimism
i. Detail: Glass half empty or half full – rhetorical question
ii. Detail: Not many countries have a sustainability policy at university level
Refutation: Identification of shortcomings can help improve better with campus
sustainability efforts, especially when the latest report is underway. New year can be a
new beginning towards sustainable goals.
V. Conclusion
a. Restatement of thesis statement
Efforts at the campus at UNO can be modified and targeted to achieve existing
goals. Suggestions and ideas from higher performing universities can be adopted
with modification to suit the campus needs.
b. Explanation of why this topic matters
i. The importance of a sustainable environment is no secret
ii. Adapting better greener initiatives in academic life helps construct long-
term habits and practices
iii. Criticism and comparison are necessary to have a measurement on actual
progress levels
c. Final comment/ call to action
Dedicated and focused attempts at UNO will help in meeting the vision of
sustainability. The analysis can become a check-in progress for improvement
identification.
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