Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.26
Liaison Jillian Leach
Submission Date Nov. 19, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

California State University, Chico
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Fletcher Alexander
Sustainability Programs Manager
Institute for Sustainable Development
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:

In 2010, the university revamped the entire website and included a "Quicklink" to a sustainability hub. This page is easy to find and navigate, and highlights the two main sustainability departments on campus - The Institute for Sustainable Development and the Associated Students Sustainability Program - as well as sustainability in academics, 'Going Green,' sustainability research and scholarships, etc.


The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The Institute for Sustainable Development has sent out a newsletter through our Constant Contact list. It's usually related to campus and community sustainability activities but also includes other information.

(URL below)

The Associated Students Sustainability Program also sends out a newsletter highlighting sustainability efforts and accomplishments in the AS.

http://www.aschico.com/sustain/newsletter


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have 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 annual This Way To Sustainability Conference host a student research session to showcase student sustainability reseach projects across a range of disciplines.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :

The Student Services Center (SSC) is a LEED Gold building that features an award-winning digital information kiosk. The touch screen allows users to learn about different building features related to efficiencies in water, recycling, electricity, etc. Each topic has videos or animation explaining how the building works. An energy dashboard shows plug load and lighting usage for a recent time period.

(URL Below)

The Bell Memorial Union (BMU) drinking fountains have been retrofitted with 'bottle filling spigots.' Framed posters hang above these drinking fountains describing this project and it's purpose.

http://www.aschico.com/images/pdfs/117_1_TBTT_-_How_we_did_it.pdf

Sutter Hall, the university's newest residential building (2010) which houses 232 undergraduate students and dining facilities for all 2,000 on-campus residents, is a LEED Gold certified building. Throughout the building, in the dining commons and all of the hallways on the residential floors, are signs indicating sustainable building features. The signage explains the features, why they are environmentally friendly, and ways the building's occupants behavior can support the design of the building.

http://www.csuchico.edu/news/current-news/07-27-11-chico-residential-complex-wins-leed-gold-award.shtml


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

AS Dining Services offers a Local Organic Lunch in the Marketplace Cafe in the BMU. This station has a TV-screen sign as well as a digital photo frame sign describing the lunch. Additionally, a piece of paper with more detailed information is posted at the serving station, visible to both customers and servers. This paper provides details whether a menu item is certified organic, humanely raised, the type of organic certification, the farm it came from, the location of that farm, etc. There is signage at the beverage refrigerator highlighting local juice sodas, and at the coffee station showing that the coffee is fair trade organic. Recycling/compost/trash bins have signage with photo images and words.

AS Dining Services has one tri-fold brochure describing all sustainability efforts. This brochure is displayed in most of the dining locations on campus.

Sutter Dining Hall (residence halls) recently produced a booklet highlighting all their sustainability efforts, including building features of their LEED Gold building. This is available in the Dining Hall, the Housing office, and is mailed to parents and prospective students.


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 grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:

Creekside Plaza (formerly the University Center Landscape Project) is one area of the campus that features nice signage about the native plants and water usage. This educational garden was developed in spring 2011 with indigenous plants historically found adjacent to riparian areas for this geographical zone.

(URL Below)

The Campus Arboretum... [need to write more here]
http://www.csuchico.edu/fcp/docs/new_campus_arboretum%20_plaques.pdf


The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

A Sustainability Walking Tour of campus is offered to classes or outside groups several times per semester. The tour is led by the campus sustainability coordinator. The map is not available online. Here's the description:

"From solar panels to the compost display area to LEED certified buildings, this tour of the campus will highlight many impressive aspects of Chico State's commitment to sustainability. Join us for a one-hour walking tour and find out how the campus is a living laboratory, providing students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience while moving our campus towards a greener future. Comfortable walking shoes, water bottle, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended."


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:

The Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) website was released in 2007 and promoted as a hub of information related to local and regional transportation options.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

A Green Book for new residents was developed collaboratively between the Institute for Sustainable Development and the AS Sustainability Program. The book invites new students to be a part of campus sustainability efforts and offers tips and guidance on sustainable campus living - including sections on Campus Life, Food, Recycling, Transportation, Energy, Academics, and Opportunities to Get Involved.


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

The Institute for Sustainable Development works closely with the campus Public Affairs and Publications Office to coordinate press releases and coverage with the campus paper, the local newspapers, and other outlets.

(URL Below)

The campus' student newspaper, The Orion, regularly covers campus sustainability efforts and acheivements. Each year a student is assigned to cover the 'sustainability' beat.

http://theorion.com/


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:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

CSU, Chico has released two Campus Sustainability Reports, the most recent of which was compiled by the Division of Business and Finance. The comprehensive report covers buildings, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, transportation, land stewardship, water conservation, waste diversion and recycling, and more.


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

A brief description of this material:

PowerSave Campus (student group) puts out a monthly newsletter that gives energy saving tips and updates the campus on current energy saving and efficiency projects.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

In keeping with the Institution's commitment to the American College and University President's Climate Commitment, biennial greenhouse gas emissions inventories are conducted on institutional operations and the results compiled into a report. These reports are made public through press releases and are submitted to Second Nature's public online reporting database.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
---

A brief description of this material:

N/A


The website URL for this material:
---

Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
No

A brief description of this material:

N/A


The website URL for this material:
---

Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
No

A brief description of this material:

N/A


The website URL for this material:
---

Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
No

A brief description of this material:

N/A


The website URL for this material:
---

Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
No

A brief description of this material:

N/A


The website URL for this material:
---

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.