Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 59.08
Liaison John Pumilio
Submission Date July 17, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Colgate University
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 John Pumilio
Director of Sustainability
Sustainability Office
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Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes

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A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
This site provides a place for students and staff to access information about the various sustainability-related events and opportunities available on campus. It describes Colgate's Climate Action Plan and stewardship plan, and provides links to Colgate's Sustainability Council. The council, which meets once a month on average, created a Campus Sustainability Fund with funds from the Class of 2008 and sustainable logging operations on our lands, that funds initiatives emerging from Colgate's annual Green Summit, the Campus Ecology Group, or the Sustainability Council, or guest speakers and conferences held on campus to explore sustainability and environmental issues.

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

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A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The office of sustainability prints a small number of newsletters each year, and makes them available electronically. In addition, the Office of Sustainability shares the latest sustainability news from campus by using tools such as Twitter (https://twitter.com/colgatesstnblty), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ColgateUniversitySustainability?fref=ts) and a blog (http://colgatesustainability.blogspot.com/).

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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

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A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Colgate's Environmental Studies Program has a section of the website dedicated to sharing the results of undergraduate student research in environmental studies (see link below). Each summer, Colgate students conduct research in a variety of disciplines through funding from the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. The results of that research is published in an annual undergraduate research directory (http://www.colgate.edu/docs/d_campus-life_career-services-for-students_internships_summer-undergraduate-research/summer-undergraduate-research-directory-2012-11-13-12.pdf?sfvrsn=2). In addition, Colgate University Libraries maintains a digital repository of student research, including research on sustainability issues, through the Digital Commons website at http://commons.colgate.edu/. Finally, various faculty members utilize Colgate's YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/cuatchannel13) to share the results of student research projects, including those on sustainability.

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The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

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A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
The university’s Trudy Fitness Center has been recognized for its green technology and energy efficiency, and has received a gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, based on factors such as green construction materials used, waste production, energy use, and water efficiency, was awarded in early May. The center officially opened on Jan. 31, 2011.

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

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A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Frank Dining Hall promotes that their facility is proud of their environmentally sustainable practices and the relationships they have built with local farmers and producers. They serve many organic and local products in their dining facilities.

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The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
None
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
No

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A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
No

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

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A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Colgate utilizes Purpool, an online tool that makes it easy for Colgate's employees to organize their workplace-based carpools, and to track savings from carpool practices. Purpool allows employees to search for other Colgate members who live in their area using a map interface, as well as an alphabetical index.

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The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
None
Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

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A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Colgate's website includes a section for students on how they can reduce their individual environmental impact. The guide includes details on paper usage, light bulbs, electricity use, water use, and appliances.

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

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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:
Last year, the Colgate Maroon News ran a regular column called "Green 'Gate," written by student Cassidy Holahan. While Cassidy is not writing the column this year, the paper has published a number of articles this year regarding sustainability by different writers.

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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:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes

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A brief description of this material:
Colgate's Environmental Studies Program publishes a newsletter each semester. It lists ENST course offerings, a letter from the director, articles from ENST faculty, and information about living sustainably at Colgate and beyond.

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The website URL for this material:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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