Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.58
Liaison Stephen Ellis
Submission Date April 26, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Boston University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Dennis Carlberg
Associate Vice President for Sustainability
BU Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 Yes
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

A brief description of the central sustainability website:

BU's sustainability website was launched in January 2010 and is a central source of information for all things sustainability-related on campus. It is organized by "What We're Doing", "What You Can Do", "Campus Resources", "Academics", "Reference", and "News". These broad categories house information on Facilities Management & Planning projects, dining, grounds, purchasing, student group activities, green campus tours, academics, research, and much more.


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The sustainability@BU newsletter is distributed to all students, faculty, staff with a BU email address and anyone else who chooses to subscribe on the sustainability website. It is a publication that disseminates information about current sustainability happenings on campus and in the Boston area.


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for sustainabililty@BU are used to keep our community and the general public updated with sustainability-related news and events as well as University-wide sustainability campaigns.

https://www.facebook.com/BUsustainability
https://twitter.com/sustainableBU
http://instagram.com/sustainable_bu


The website URL of the primary social media platform that focuses on sustainability:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:

N/A


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 :

Sargent College, the School of Social Work, and the College of General Studies have teamed up with sustainability@BU to create informational and behavioral signage for inhabitants of the building. The LEED certified Makechnie Study Lounge has eight signs explaining the low impact, local, and reclaimed materials used in construction. Behavioral signs are placed on each floor in order to inform employees and students about lessening their environmental impact through simple daily actions, such as taking the stairs. Additionally, digital, touch-screen building dashboards in the Leventhal Center (Admissions) and the Yawkey Center for Student Services provide real time utility data and green building features.

http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/campus-resources/green-office/sargent-pilot-program/
http://buildingdashboard.com/clients/bu/css/
http://buildingdashboard.com/clients/bu/admissions/


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

As part of Dining Services’ commitment to serving local food and educating the BU community, all local, organic, and humanely-raised food is identified with signage. Signs are updated regularly with information about local foods, farm names, and locations. Additionally, the dining halls are equipped with a large map of New England showing the local farms and producers from which the University sources.


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

In keeping with BU’s commitment to sustainability, Facilities Management & Planning manages a number of eco-agricultural initiatives such as implementing organic lawn treatments. Signage is placed throughout campus green space in order to educate the BU community about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies. Springtime signage has also been implemented to educate the community about the return of perennial plants.


The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The Boston University Green Campus Tour features locations within the Charles River Campus that support sustainable working, learning, and living such as energy efficient building retrofits, the campus’s first geothermal building, and a bicycle-powered office that runs off of the grid. The walking tour, hosted by student Sustainability Ambassadors, is available for parents and families of incoming students during summer orientation and the virtual tour is always available with podcasts on the sustainability@BU website.

http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/about-us/sustainabilitybuteam/sustainability-ambassadors/


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:

Information about alternative forms of transportation is available on the sustainability@BU website as well as the BU Parking & Transportation Services website and the BUMC Transportation Solutions for Commuters, Inc. (TranSComm) website. Bicycle, BU shuttle, rideshare, carpool, electric vehicle charging, bike share, Zipcar, and public transit pages provide detailed information about each of these more sustainable options.

http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/transportation/
http://www.bumc.bu.edu/transcomm/
http://www.bu.edu/parking/student-commuter-benefits/


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

BU's Bike Safety Committee has introduced comprehensive education for bicyclists and motorists about securing and registering bicycles, storage options, route maps, policies, and safety. Education is disseminated through the websites, safety videos, window clings, a mobile app, and community events.

http://www.bu.edu/parking/
http://www.bumc.bu.edu/transcomm/bike/


The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

The Green Room Guide provides suggestions for living more sustainably in dorms as well as offices and classrooms. Information about best practices can be found on the sustainability@BU website. Additionally, new students and their families are exposed to sustainable living options in a mock dorm room setup during summer orientation.

http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/about-us/sustainabilitybuteam/sustainability-ambassadors/


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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


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):

Occupancy brochures have been produced and distributed to employees in the School of Law and Yawkey Center for Student Services, to help familiarize employees with new green building features, such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, and engagement.

http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/green-buildings/center-for-student-services/
http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/green-buildings/school-of-law/


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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.