| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.93 |
| Liaison | Jim Dees |
| Submission Date | April 19, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Appalachian State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Sierra
Milosh Data Analysis Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
The university's sustainability website strives to be a clearinghouse for all things sustainable within the university: academic and research offerings, events, news (local and regional) student involvement, and sustainability initiatives, both institutional and student-based.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The Office of Sustainability has a dedicated communications specialist who is responsible for coordinating and updating social media platforms of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These outlets allow for the office to reach a broader range of students and the community and to provide real-time updates and reminders of events and opportunities related to sustainability at Appalachian State.
The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
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?:
A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
The student newspaper (The Appalachian) is printed twice a week and is also available online. At the moment, the newspaper does not have a writer who is devoted to covering sustainability issues, but the writers pitch articles at each meeting and have the opportunity to put forward ideas that have to do with sustainability. The news editor also assigns stories based on press releases and what they hear around campus relating to sustainability topics. Students are also encouraged to reach out to the news editor with sustainability issues they would like brought to the newspaper's forefront.
The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The Appalachian Energy Summit Student Poster competition is an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their work, develop business skills, and network with students and professionals. Topics can include: efficiency, renewables, technology, education, policy, and environmental impacts.
All graduate students in the MS in Technology program complete either a capstone research project or a thesis. The Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment Department hosts a webpage to view annual listings of the research completed by its students. The full text of thesis manuscripts (indicated on the list) are available in full text through the Appalachian State University library web site.
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Appalachian's student union features signage regarding reduced water flow on its sink faucets and signage about the dual flush toilets. There is also signage at the special items recycling area indicating special items. At the water bottle refilling station, signage indicates the importance of reusing a water bottle. On the paper towel dispensers, "These Come from Trees" stickers are displayed. The student union is home to a large sustainability board available for students, faculty and staff to display material and information. The student union also hosts the Renewable Energy Initiative information kiosk, displaying information about all the renewable energy projects on campus.
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Appalachian Food Services educates on their local food and sustainable initiatives,
including their zero waste commitments. Signage is in place at every dining facility on
campus asking patrons for their support of campus sustainability initiatives and make
recommendations for focusing on more sustainable behavior like "bring your own
cup/mug" and "recycle or compost here". There has also been an ongoing signage campaign to educate campus about Food Service’s decision to eliminate plastic straws. In addition, there is sustainability messaging on digital boards and napkin dispensers to education on zero waste, consumption, reduction, recycling, composting and cigarette butt litter issues.
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
There are several signs around campus informing students that the "soil is amended with compost produced on campus through food waste collection and green events."
The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The walking map/tour is housed on the SustainApp, Appalachian’s dedicated mobile application for Sustainability. It has photos, a map, and descriptions of all the sustainable physical structures on campus, including alternative energy, permeable pavements, and rain gardens. The first tour was designed by a student in 2010, called Sustainable Strides. It was designed to communicate not only about physical locations of sustainable activities/measures, but also about sustainable technology and or commitments.
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
On the university's sustainability website, there is a page dedicated to alternative transportation at Appalachian. Listed is information about mass transit, ridesharing, car sharing, biking and motor pool. The guide for Sustainable Living for students, developed by the Office of Sustainability, includes information about mass transit and bicycling and encourages students to consider these options. It is available online and on the mobile app.
The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
An initiative through ASU Outdoor Programs and University Recreation, Bike App promotes bike education, community collaboration and a healthy and sustainable university that is less dependent on cars. Bike App is a supporter of the Human Powered Transportation Student Club . This club works to promote awareness, safety and education surrounding biking and skateboarding.
Every semester, Bike App hosts a variety of events around campus including Bike Maintenance Workshops, Biking 101 Workshops, Commuting clinics, Share the Road Workshop, and Mobile Tune-Ups. The Bike App Solar Trailer was completed in Spring of 2018 and offers a portable, photovoltaic-powered stand to host educational workshops and bike tune-ups.
The website includes a schedule for tuning clinics and workshops, biking tips and resources (including a list of biking parks and trails around Boone), locations for bike workstations and pumps around campus, information on free helmets, and resources for what to do if you are involved in a collision with a motor vehicle.
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Office of Sustainability has developed a guide for student green living, which seeks to develop sustainable behaviors for sustainable living while in college and transferable beyond college. The guide displays tips regarding transportation, purchasing and waste, energy and water. The guide also asks students to take the 'Sustainable Living Pledge' and sign electronically. This encourages students to follow through with sustainable principles discussed in the guide as well as helps to show the growing population that is committed to making sustainable living a priority.
For students living on campus, there is a new “GreenAppal” certification for residence halls. It is a voluntary checklist for students, encouraging more sustainable habits and rewarding them for changing their practices.
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
A brief description of these materials or publications:
The website URL for these materials or publications:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.