Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.69
Liaison John Pumilio
Submission Date July 23, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Colgate University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 John Pumilio
Director of Sustainability
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution produce the following outreach materials and/or publications that foster sustainability learning and knowledge? :
Yes or No
A central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution’s sustainability efforts Yes
A sustainability newsletter Yes
Social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability Yes
A vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability Yes
Building signage that highlights green building features Yes
Food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems Yes
Signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed No
A sustainability walking map or tour No
A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation Yes
Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians No
A guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience Yes
Regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat Yes
Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website:

This site provides a place for students, employees, alumni and others to access information about the various sustainability-related events and opportunities available on campus. It describes Colgate's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, and provides links to Colgate's Sustainability Council. The website uses many forms of communication including an active blog, links to our Facebook and Twitter feeds, our building dashboard, video tutorials, podcasts, photos, and narratives.


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The Office of Sustainability prints a small number of newsletters each year, and makes them available electronically.

The Office of Sustainability also writes a monthly article to include in our faculty and staff newsletter (Open Gate).


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:

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), LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4266707&trk=my_groups-b-grp-v) and a blog (http://blogs.colgate.edu/sustainability/).


The website URL of the primary social media platform that focuses on sustainability:
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.


The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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. Trudy officially opened on Jan. 31, 2011.

Trudy's green features have been highlighted in university publications included our top publication (Colgate Scene) and in blogs. Also, our students created a video highlighting the green features of the building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tU-o-SzYg80#!.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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 about 20 percent third-party and local products in their dining facilities. In Frank Dining Hall, we have pamphlets and signage that informs students of our sustainable practices as well as local/sustainable food choices.


The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
---

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

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
---

The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
---

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

Colgate has a number of options for students to use sustainable modes of transportation. These include our bike share program (Green Bikes), our free bus service (Colgate Cruiser), and Zipcar. Colgate also 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.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
---

The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
---

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.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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.


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:
A brief description of another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above (1st 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 sustainability at Colgate and beyond.


The website URL for this material (1st material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (2nd material):

The Upstate Institute keeps an active blog that highlights many of our Colgate-supported sustainability initiatives on campus and in our region.


The website URL for this material (2nd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (3rd material):

The Max A Shacknai COVE keeps an active blog that highlights many of our Colgate-supported sustainability initiatives on campus and in our region.


The website URL for this material (3rd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
No

A brief description of this material (4th material):
---

The website URL for this material (4th material):
---

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

A brief description of this material (5th material):
---

The website URL for this material (5th material):
---

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

A brief description of this material (6th material):
---

The website URL for this material (6th material):
---

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

A brief description of this material (7th material):
---

The website URL for this material (7th material):
---

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

A brief description of this material (8th material):
---

The website URL for this material (8th 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.