Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.97
Liaison Stephen Ellis
Submission Date Aug. 2, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Boston University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Lisa Tornatore
Sustainability Director
BU 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):
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:
http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
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.

None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/about-us/newsletter/

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:
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/sustainablebu

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

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?:
No

A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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Student Research Publication 

Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The Emerald Review is an undergraduate student-run publication that seeks to highlight the works of students in the field of earth and environmental news. The publication offers viewpoints from a broad spectrum of opinions and backgrounds in order to promote a general understanding of a green and sustainable world. We are a small dedicated staff of volunteer students who are fascinated by the natural world. The Emerald Review publishes articles under four categories: Politics, Business, Science, and Culture. Our Section Editors have worked hard to make each article you read a refined work. We have had the pleasure of receiving articles on topics ranging from the international climate negotiations in Paris to Boston University’s own Earth House. We encourage first-time readers to take a few moments to read some of our work, learn more about our staff, and get to know our sister organization, Boston University’s Environmental Student Organization.

None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
http://emeraldreview.com/

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 :
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/

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/campus-resources/green-office/sargent-pilot-program/

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:
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.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
https://www.bu.edu/dining/sustainability/

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:
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 the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/green-buildings/grounds/

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:
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/

None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
https://www.bu.edu/sustainability/campus-resources/green-campus-tour/

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:
Information about alternative forms of transportation is available on websites of sustainability@BU, BU Parking & Transportation Services, and BUMC Transportation Solutions for Commuters, Inc. (TranSComm). 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.bumc.bu.edu/transcomm/ http://www.bu.edu/parking/student-commuter-benefits/ http://www.bu.edu/parking/employee-commuter-benefit/

The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/transportation/

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:
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/ https://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/transportation/bicycles/

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
http://www.bu.edu/bikesafety/

Green Living Guide 

Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

None
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 set up during summer orientation were student sustainability ambassadors highlight resources for sustainable living. http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/about-us/sustainabilitybuteam/sustainability-ambassadors/

None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/campus-resources/the-green-room/

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:
Occupancy brochures have been produced and distributed to employees in CILSE (Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering) and Booth Theatre, to help familiarize employees with new green building features, such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, and engagement. https://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/green-buildings/cilse/ http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/green-buildings/joan-edgar-booth-theatre-and-cfa-production-center/

The website URL for these materials or publications:
http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/green-buildings/

Optional Fields 

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.