Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.17
Liaison Megan Litke
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

American University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Hannah Debelius
Sustainability Manager
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Central Sustainability Website 

Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
The sustainability website includes information about campus greening related to: buildings, dining, energy & climate, grounds, purchasing, recycling, composting and waste, transportation, and water. The website also covers community greening, commitments & policies, education & research, how to get involved, and information about the office and staff.

The website URL for the central sustainability website:
http://www.american.edu/finance/sustainability/

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The sustainability newsletter is a publication of the Office of Sustainability containing timely updates about projects and initiatives carried out on campus as well as links to news stories online.

None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
http://american.us2.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=02fa299f22937c7cc392d9ecd&id=c6eb5d3671

Social Media Platforms 

Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The Office of Sustainability utilizes Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat to educate the community, share best practices, and communicate events and initiatives related to sustainability on and off campus.

The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
https://www.facebook.com/GreenAU/

Student Newspaper Coverage 

Does the institution have regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat?:
Yes

A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
The Eagle regularly covers sustainability. Student Sustainability Educators and members of sustainable student organizations regularly contribute op-ed content. The student newspaper publishes daily content online and sends a weekly digest to the whole campus community. Sustainability has also been featured in campus magazines including American Way of Life and All American Magazine.

The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
http://www.theeagleonline.com/search/?a=1&s=sustainability&ti=&ts_month=0&ts_day=0&ts_year=0&te_month=0&te_day=0&te_year=0&au=&tg=&ty=0&o=date

Student Research Publication 

Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
No

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
n/a

None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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Green Building Signage 

Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Info-monitors display sustainability stats in most buildings, including utility consumption as well as key campus sustainability features. Stickers on light switches across campus remind users to turn out the lights. Signs on paper towel dispensers remind users to conserve because paper comes from trees. Stickers on restroom waste bins instruct users that paper towels are composted so users should be careful not contaminate the bins. Plaques in building lobbies inform about green roofs and building sustainability.

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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Sustainable Food Systems Information 

Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Signs in the Terrace Dining Room promote local food options and vegetarian meals. A public map also highlights the local farms that provide food to campus dining. Student sustainability educators also hosted a food waste audit in the campus dining room that included temporary signage about food waste.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
http://www.american.edu/finance/sustainability/Dining.cfm

Sustainable Grounds Signage 

Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Outdoor signage around campus grounds inform pedestrians about rain gardens, bioretention basins, storm water management, and the campus arboretum.

The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
http://www.american.edu/finance/sustainability/Grounds.cfm

Sustainable Walking Map or Tour 

Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
An online campus map identifies sustainability features as well as academic sustainability programs. Office of Sustainability staff offers tours to any groups that are interested. Past tours have been given to classes, campus offices, student groups, State Dept visitors, garden clubs, and K-12 students.

None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
http://www.american.edu/finance/sustainability/Sustainability-Map-and-Tour.cfm

Guide for Commuters 

Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
The sustainable transportation web page lists and links to alternative methods of campus transportation including bus, train, bike, and AU shuttle. During an annual transportation fair, students, staff, and faculty, can engage with each commute method around DC to ask questions and become informed.

The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
http://www.american.edu/finance/transportation/Index.cfm

Materials for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
A biking at AU website pulls together local biking safety and navigational resources from campus and city partners and displays original content such as a map of all biking tools/resources on campus and staff bike commuter benefits.

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
http://www.american.edu/finance/transportation/Biking-at-AU.cfm

Green Living Guide 

Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
No

None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
n/a

None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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Other Outreach Materials 

Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:
Zero Waste Brochure and Guide to Sustainable Events to highlight the Zero Waste commitment of AU and educate students and staff about correct waste diversion.

The website URL for these materials or publications:
http://www.american.edu/finance/sustainability/Green-Event-Guildelines.cfm

Optional Fields 

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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