Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.90
Liaison Jessica Bowen
Submission Date Aug. 3, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Aquinas College
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Jessica Eimer Bowen
Director of Sustainability
Center for Sustainability
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Does the institution produce the following outreach materials and/or publications that foster sustainability learning and knowledge? :
Yes or No
A central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution’s sustainability efforts Yes
A sustainability newsletter Yes
Social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability Yes
A vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability No
Building signage that highlights green building features Yes
Food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems Yes
Signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed No
A sustainability walking map or tour Yes
A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation Yes
Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians Yes
A guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience Yes
Regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat No
Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above Yes

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A brief description of the central sustainability website:
The web site highlights the most recent Sustainability news and events, electronic versions of the monthly sustainability newsletter, and resources about sustainability pertinent to the campus population. There is also an extensive section on the Zero Waste Initiative, a section on metrics/indicators used to measure progress, and more.

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The website URL for the central sustainability website:
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A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
Interns at the Center for Sustainability put together AQ Sustainability News that highlights sustainability on campus. The newsletter is distributed to key constituents via e-mail and made available electronically on the Sustainability Initiative site.

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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:
The Center for Sustainability uses the campus kiosk’s to inform students on ways to live sustainably, as well as zero waste events and speakers invited to the campus to discuss issues regarding sustainability. We also advertise on the two campus “blogs”: the Moose (which is directed towards students) and Acorn (which is designed for faculty and staff). In addition to this, the Center for Sustainability at Aquinas has an Instagram page and a Facebook page.

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The website URL of the primary social media platform that focuses on sustainability:
None
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
N/A

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The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Centralized signage summarizing green building features are posted.

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The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Product specific educational signage is placed as appropriate.

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The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
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A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
N/A

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The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
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A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Aquinas provides a walking tree guide featuring 108 different tree and shrub species native to Michigan among Aquinas campus trails.

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The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
There are several guides for commuters: A Saint’s Guide to Sustainability includes an entire section on sustainable commuting. The Sustainability Initiative website contains a “Campus Resources” section with a “Re-think Transportation” page that includes information about carpooling, the Rapid Bus System discounts, a video about how to use the bus, and biking.

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The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
The “AQ Bikes” page of the Campus Safety web site features information on the college’s bike rental program, a link to bike trails in the Grand Rapids area, a bicycle safety video, and a FAQ section aimed at bicyclists and pedestrians.

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The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
A Saint’s Guide to Sustainability includes information about reducing waste and making local food choices.

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The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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A brief description of regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
N/A

None
The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
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A brief description of another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above (1st material):
Recycling and Composting Guide that highlights what items are accepted and which are not accepted.

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The website URL for this material (1st material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
Yes

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A brief description of this material (2nd material):
Aquinas College Excessive Idling Policy pamphlet to explain who the policy applies to, how it will be implemented, and why it is important.

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The website URL for this material (2nd material):
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
Yes

None
A brief description of this material (3rd material):
Aquinas LEED Certified Buildings pamphlet featuring LEED certified buildings on campus.

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The website URL for this material (3rd material):
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
Yes

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A brief description of this material (4th material):
The Faculty and Staff Sustainability Guide features tips on waste reduction, alternative transportation options, LEED certified buildings, and Aquinas’ value of sustainability.

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The website URL for this material (4th material):
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
No

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A brief description of this material (5th material):
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The website URL for this material (5th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
No

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A brief description of this material (6th material):
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The website URL for this material (6th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
No

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A brief description of this material (7th material):
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The website URL for this material (7th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
No

None
A brief description of this material (8th material):
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The website URL for this material (8th material):
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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