Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.16
Liaison Kylee Singh
Submission Date Sept. 19, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

California Polytechnic State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Kylee Singh
Sustainability Coordinator
Energy Utilities and Sustainability
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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 Facilities Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability department is dedicated to responsible management of the natural resources needed to assure the continued efficient operations of the Cal Poly campus. Electricity, natural gas, water, and various other resources are critical to operating a successful university; Cal Poly is an award-winning leader in sustainability because we manage those resources using sustainability as a driving force in campus planning and operations. All information about these efforts can be found at sustainability.calpoly.edu

The website URL for the central sustainability website:

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability staff send out a monthly newsletter to students, staff, and faculty. The purpose the newsletter is to provide event details for the campus community to engage in sustainability opportunities locally and nationally. Sign up here to receive our newsletter: https://calpoly.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=00ac980a6806a4b193b053683&id=9424ce2d72 See the link below for the June 2019 edition of our newsletter:

None
The website URL for the sustainability 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:
The Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability staff post regular updates for students, staff, and faculty. The purpose is to provide event information for the campus community to engage in sustainability opportunities locally and nationally.

The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:

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:
There is currently a student assigned to the environmental beat at Mustang Weekly newspaper.

The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:

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 Robert E. Kennedy Digital Commons site provides a section dedicated to sustainability research produced by the Cal Poly community.

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

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 :
All LEED certified buildings on campus are marked accordingly and various sustainability related efforts are often accompanied by signage. Recent examples include lawn removal signs in response to water conservation efforts and zero waste signage for zero waste stations and events.

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :

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:
Cal Poly Dining provides signage about waste reduction and local sustainable food options across the dining facilities. On a weekly basis Campus Dining highlights sustainable food efforts in their e-newsletter, creates signage for digital displays throughout their facilities, and creates table topper displays to educate diners.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

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:
Cal Poly Grounds staff post signage across campus to inform the community about sustainable landscaping methods. One such example are the signs on dry lawns to educate the community about turf reduction measures.

The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:

Sustainable Walking Map or Tour 

Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
No

None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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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:
Cal Poly Parking and Commuters Services staff provide a thorough list of commuter options on their website and at various in-person events throughout the year.

The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of 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:
Cal Poly Parking and Commuters Services staff provide a thorough list of tips for cyclist to stay safe when biking to and from campus. https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/commutingtocampus/bikesafety.php https://inside.calpoly.edu/pedaling-safely-round-cal-poly-b90edfdaaeaf https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/commutingtocampus/bikeparkingandstorage.php

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

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:
Developed by Cal Poly Honors in cooperation with Facilities Management & Development Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability. Cal Poly is committed to achieving carbon neutrality and climate resilience by 2050. For Earth Day 2016, President Armstrong signed the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment, making Cal Poly a Charter Signatory to the largest climate change initiative in higher education. The Green Living Guide is intended to provide students with a road map for how to live more sustainably on and off campus.

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

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:
Every two years the Cal Poly Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability Department produces a report to highlight the efforts happening around campus. This publication is intended to highlight some of Cal Poly's sustainability achievements within Facilities, Operations, and across the campus community as a whole.  The report defines measurable indicators against which we are tracking our progress on a biennial basis. The document clearly demonstrates both successes to date and challenges for the future. It may also serve as a useful tool in continuing to make the campus a living laboratory.

The website URL for these materials or publications:

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.