Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.41
Liaison Jillian Leach
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

California State University, Chico
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 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 (optional):

The University has a main sustainability website that consolidates information from across campus. 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:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

N/A


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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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 Institute for Sustainable Development maintains campus sustainability social media platforms, including facebook, linkedin and twitter. The accounts are used to share campus sustainability efforts, promote events and initiatives, provide opportunities for engagement and to foster dialogue. The Institute for Sustainable Development works closely with the campus Public Affairs and Publications Office to coordinate press and media releases.


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

The campus' student newspaper, The Orion, regularly covers campus sustainability efforts and achievements. Each year a student is assigned to cover the 'sustainability' beat and the weekly paper includes stories and editorials focused on or related to campus sustainability frequently.


The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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 annual This Way To Sustainability Conference hosts student research sessions and poster sessions to showcase student sustainability research projects across a range of academic 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, 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 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 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.

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 groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:

Facilities Management and Services has converted a couple of parcels of land on campus into runoff-collecting bioswales that recycle rainwater to be used for irrigation. The bioswales are planted with native species and include signage regarding their mechanical function, why water conservation matters and on the selection of species for planting. The campus urban forest is also an arboretum and the Campus Arboretum Committee has developed a walking tour of a selection of the trees, including some signage.

http://www.csuchico.edu/fcp/docs/new_campus_arboretum%20_plaques.pdf


The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Does the institution produce 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 Institute for Sustainable Development staff. 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 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:

The Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) website serves as a hub of information related to local and regional transportation options, including highlighting all available and supported methods of sustainable transportation. The site includes links to relevant information and resources.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

The Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) website serves as a hub of information related to local and regional transportation options, including highlighting all available and supported methods of sustainable transportation. The site includes links to relevant information and resources.


The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or 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, and first-year students in general, was developed by the Institute for Sustainable Development. 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 produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:

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


The website URL for these materials or publications:
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.