| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.34 |
| Liaison | Mary Whitney |
| Submission Date | Nov. 26, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Chatham University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Mary
Whitney University Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
Chatham University's Office of Sustainability is the administrative home of all campus sustainability projects. The office works to initiate change on campus with the hope of moving Chatham to carbon neutrality. We coordinate with University departments, faculty, and student groups to take steps to a more sustainable living, learning, and working environment for the campus community.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
We had a sustainability newsletter from 2007-2012, called "Small Change." "Small Change" highlighted ways to get involved in the sustainable movement and what people can do to help make positive small changes in the environment, both on campus and in the community.
We have transitioned to social media for this function now.
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
Chatham's Office of Sustainability has a Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and Pinterest pages that promote sustainability information and events concerning Chatham.
Facebook: Facebook.com/chathamsustain
Twitter: Twitter.com/chathamsustain
Youtube: youtube.com/user/sustainablechatham
Instagram: Instagram.com/chathamsustain
Pinterest: pinterest.com/chathamsustain
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?:
A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
The sustainability department used to have a regular column in the student newspaper called "Small Changes" that was written by students detailing sustainability events and news, but instead, there is now a columnist who is the designated sustainability reporter and writes about green living.
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?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Graduate students in the Falk School of Sustainability are required to publicly present their thesis research papers and thesis projects, which are open to all Chatham students, faculty, and staff. In this format, students share their findings as they relate to sustainability and field questions and comments about the research or project. The theses are then available on the Chatham University J.K.M Library online database for access by the Chatham community and in print at the library, and with the thesis director.
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?:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Chatham University posts educational signage that highlights green building and other sustainability features. For example, signs describing how the solar thermal hot water system works are posted next to the residence halls that use the water. Rea House, our Environmental Living & Learning Community, has signage throughout that explain the environmental features of the building, including those that save energy and water.
The buildings at Eden Hall have explanatory signage and story walls throughout. Other signs across campus highlight our other sustainability initiatives such as the campus-wide ban on the sale of bottled water, rain gardens, native plants and similar.
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?:
A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
In Anderson Dining Hall on the Shadyside campus, we have several signs posted that highlight local food, non-GMO milk, and how to compost. Brochures are also available on Farm Source, which is the local food program of our dining service provider, Parkhurst, and Farm Source information is posted as napkin holder inserts at Anderson Dining Hall and Cafe Rachel. The dining hall at Eden Hall has similar signage.
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?:
A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
At our Shadyside campus, we have signage that highlights our storm water management, as well as signage for the Rachel Carson Garden and our biodiversity plantings. At the Eden Hall Campus farm, there are signs about the farm's organic practices, mushroom growing at Eden Hall farm, the farm's hoop houses, and the standards and practices associated with Eden Hall Coffee, which is served there and at Cafe Rachel on the Shadyside campus. The Agroecology Garden also has signage that explains pro-biodiversity garden practices.
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?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Chatham University has several different walking maps and tour maps available. We have an arboretum walking map, a Rachel Carson’s life tour map, a historical restorations tour map, and a green features tour map. Public tours of the Eden Hall campus are given by students multiple times per year during events, and public tours.
A copy of our rain water harvesting map, arboretum walking map, a Rachel Carson’s life tour map, a historical restorations tour map, and a green features tour map are available on Chatham University's intranet website which is available to any student, faculty, or staff member.
https://www.edenhall.chatham.edu/
https://www.chatham.edu/outreach/sustainability/_documents/RainWaterHarvestingMap.pdf
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?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Chatham University has a guide to car transportation through Commute Info on the university's website.
Free shuttles are provided from Shadyside campus to Eastside campus, Eden Hall campus, and a few other neighborhoods, and can be tracked live using the LIVE Shuttle Tracker (http://www.chathamshuttles.com). Commuters can also ride any Port Authority of Allegheny County bus for free and the information is provided to students as part of orientation and in the student handbook.
We also have a guide to bike commuting that details how to safely bike in Pittsburgh. This guide is located conveniently for the students in the bike shop and at Student Affairs. Bike parking is also marked on the campus maps.
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)? :
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
The Pittsburgh Bike Map is available to all students in the Bike Works bike shop, which details the safest bike routes throughout the city and offers safety tips as well. The bike map is created by Bike Pittsburgh, a bicycling and pedestrian safety non-profit organization, and can also be used by pedestrians to identify sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks, and trails.
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?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The student handbook provided each year to all students outlines ways for students to incorporate sustainability into their residential experience. For undergraduate students particularly focused on green living, students can apply to live in the Rachel Carson Environmental & Sustainability Living Community in the Rea House dorms. The students who reside in this living community share an interest in participating in a environment which focuses on sustainable and green practices. Students work closely with staff and faculty to plan activities which focus upon different aspects of living a green lifestyle. All students who wish to live in Rea House must apply to be part of the Living Community.
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?:
A brief description of these materials or publications:
The Office of Sustainability operates a blog hosted by Chatham University that is linked directly to our website. The blog provides updates on our sustainability initiatives and achievements, as well as reflections on events held by the office. The blog also provides a platform to post flyers and information that is sent out to the Chatham University to be more accessible to the public.
The website URL for these materials or publications:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.