Overall Rating Platinum - expired
Overall Score 85.29
Liaison Tonie Miyamoto
Submission Date March 23, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Colorado State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Tonie Miyamoto
Director of Communications and Sustainability
Housing and Dining Services
"---" 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 Yes
A sustainability walking map or tour Yes
A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation Yes
Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians Yes
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:

Green.colostate.edu is a central website that highlights Green Initiatives at CSU. It includes information on campus sustainability representatives, leaders, and opportunities for student and research involvement. The homepage features a continually updated stream of CSU-related sustainability news and events. It also acts as a portal and first point of contact for sustainability forums and organizations on campus.


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

The Green Bulletin, available by email, has weekly information on sustainability events, classes, workshops, and volunteer/internship/job opportunities (on campus and within the broader Fort Collins community), as well as a number of other note-worthy events/opportunities.


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

The School of Global Environmental Sustainability maintains facebook, vimeo and twitter accounts with regular updates on all things sustainable at CSU as well as a dedicated blog.

Other student groups and specific projects at CSU also maintain their own social media sites including the Eco Leaders.


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:

CURC is the "Celebrate Undergraduate Research on Campus" initiative which highlights undergraduate research through an annual publication as well as poster competition. In FY14, 400 students shared their research efforts through this program.

Through CURC, Colorado State University recognizes and honors the achievements of students in the areas of research & creativity. Students are invited to participate in a variety of events that will provide them an opportunity to showcase what they have learned through their research and creative activities.

Each year, events culminate with the CURC Showcase in April. The showcase features outstanding performers and award winners from all disciplines. Following the Showcase, an awards ceremony recognizes all participants and honored awards winners.


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 :

Buildings which are LEED certified or have exceptional green features have educational signage which highlights these features. Such buildings include the Transit Center, the Lory Student Center, Powerhouse Institute, Aspen Hall, the Pavilion at Laurel Village, and classrooms in Guggenheim Hall.

The Pavilion at Laurel Village, the first building on the main CSU campus to pursue LEED Platinum certification, features a 3D model of the building with an interactive touch screen that allows students and visitors to explore more than 20 innovative sustainability features including a katabatic tower, two-story living wall, bike repair shop, and much more.


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:

All dining facilities include digital signage (recently transitioned from printed signage in order to reduce paper waste) that is regularly updated with information about local food, vegan/vegetarian options, composting, plate waste, etc.


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:

Grounds Facilities signage indicates areas with recycled mulch and pest management practices that employ biological controls or natural substances. There is expanded signage at the University's Bioremediation Wetlands Project at the University Greenhouse providing detailed information about the systems with photos and diagrams.


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 Green Walking Tour traces an on-campus path that passes more than twenty of the University's sustainable sites including LEED certified buildings and green laboratories and research sites. It includes information on sustainability in the halls and dining centers as well.

The Green Walking Tour is a self-guided tour available to the campus community and all campus visitors (http://green.colostate.edu/green-walking-tour.aspx).

The tour also includes information on buildings and initiatives on the CSU Foothills Campus and mountain campus.


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:

The Parking & Transportation Services maintains several web pages and guides that describe local transportation options such as bus lines and biking routes. It also gives information on carpooling and public programs such as Smart Trips, which promote alternative transportation options in the City of Fort Collins.

Biking: http://parking.colostate.edu/pages/Biking.aspx
Walking: http://parking.colostate.edu/pages/Walking.aspx
Campus Shuttle: http://www.colostate.edu/aroundthehorn/
Zip Car: http://parking.colostate.edu/pages/NewsItem.aspx?ID=48
Carpool/Ride Share: http://parking.colostate.edu/pages/Carpool.aspx
Buses: http://parking.colostate.edu/pages/Transfort.aspx

CSU is dedicated to expanding commuter options through the Alternative Transportation Manager who works with the City and multiple campus entities on public transportation and biking routes in and around campus as well as many other projects, including charging stations, to encourage sustainable transportation to and on campus.


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 Campus Bike Advisory Committee has a dedicated website for all news and information pertaining to bicyclists and pedestrians. This includes a campus map specific to bike/pedestrian routes (including dismount zones and other traffic measures) as well as education materials from their Bicycle Education and Enforcement Program.


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:

Housing & Dining Services publishes an online guide to living green that includes energy and resource conservation tips, alternative transportation, an interactive green model room, and ways to get involved with sustainability within the residence halls and university apartments.

The guide also includes links to more comprehensive guides on recycling and other sustainability programs on campus.


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:

The Student Sustainability Center maintains a sustainability column. Any student on campus can submit an article for selection by the SSC to fill this regular column.


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):

The main source of on campus news; 'SOURCE' tags stories and press pieces related to sustainability and/or the environment. And the University-wide calendar flags green events with a special symbol to help users identify green events on campus (http://calendar.colostate.edu/).


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):

School of Global Environmental Sustainability produces an annual report.


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 School of Global Environmental Sustainability has a listserve to stay up to date on sustainability news, events, announcements and other important information.

Their website: sustainability.colostate.edu is also a good source of information for many other aspects of sustainability on campus.


The website URL for this material (3rd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
Yes

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

Housing & Dining Services produces an annual sustainability report.


The website URL for this material (4th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
Yes

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

CSU produces a Climate Action Plan and updates it biannually.


The website URL for this material (5th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
Yes

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

Facilities produces an annual Environmental Report.


The website URL for this material (6th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
Yes

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

The Green.colostate.edu website has an outreach slideshow to help explain STARS and the academic programs, research initiatives, and engagement programs that make up CSU's score. The STARS system can be difficult to explain to students, staff, and faculty with limited sustainability experience; the slideshow helps highlight how sustainability initiatives many in the campus community are familiar with play a role in STARS.


The website URL for this material (7th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
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A brief description of this material (8th material):
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The website URL for this material (8th material):
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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.