Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.05
Liaison Lisa Kilgore
Submission Date March 22, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Cornell University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Erin Moore
Sustainability Engagement Manager
Energy & Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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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

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A brief description of the central sustainability website:
Cornell's home page www.cornell.edu features a link to the university's central hub for sustainability information including resources, activities, news, and events across teaching, research, operations, and outreach.

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The website URL for the central sustainability website:
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A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
Cornell has a weekly email 'news blast' that includes headlines and websites in the following categories: campus, research, education, outreach, and alumni. Each headline in the newsblast links to a blog post on our website. Currently over 1,800 Cornellians are signed up for the newsblast and it is forwarded to several hundred more individuals through additional on-campus e-lists. The same news stories are also posted to Facebook and Twitter where we have more than 1,500 followers.

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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:
Cornell University uses Facebook and Twitter through Hootsuite to educate the public about campus sustainability.

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The website URL of the primary social media platform that focuses on sustainability:
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A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future hosts an annual poster competition that includes student researchers. In addition the Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (CURB) seeks to enhance the Cornell undergraduate experience by promoting and enriching undergraduate research on campus. CURB is committed to fostering academic excellence through undergraduate interaction at events that bring student endeavors to the forefront of the Cornell community's attention. Specifically the Annual Spring Research Forum is an opportunity for undergraduates from all majors and backgrounds to present their work to the general public and to fellow undergraduates.

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The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
The many LEED Platinum and Gold buildings on the Cornell campus have various types of signage. For example, the Human Ecology Building has a comprehensive sign installed in the main lobby of the building to highlight the various green features (see link below). Fernow Hall has signage outside of the hall to highlight the building's rain garden: http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/fernow-hall.

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The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Cornell Dining has a diverse portfolio of sustainability initiatives including local, organic, and fair procurement efforts, Marine Stewardship Council sustainable seafood certification, tray-less dining, composting and recycling, and biodegradable to-go containers. Composting, recycling, and landfill signs are present in all dining areas; however, they do not provide additional "sustainability" information. There is no additional information present at all times in the dining locations. Cornell Dining does, however, employ 2-3 Student Sustainability Coordinators who set up signage in various dining locations and verbally educate students about Cornell Dining's initiatives.

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The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
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A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
Among a wide range of sustainable grounds-keeping strategies, two important efforts have been integrated pest management and a naturalization initiative. Several of the signs used around campus to help communicate the naturalization initiative are available in the link below. Signs are also included to educate passersby about the university's Stormwater Management Wetland Demonstration Project: http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/stormwater-management-wetland-demonstration-project. Cornell Plantations manages 4,300 acres of natural areas originating in the core of the Cornell campus and extending outward into the surrounding countryside. Educational signage on the ecosystem is provided throughout: http://www.cornellplantations.org/our-gardens/natural-areas.

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The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The Campus Sustainability Office provides Green Campus Tours to groups upon request. Each year the office provides an average of eight Green Campus Tours to groups from around the world and across New York State.

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The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
The Facilities Services Department of Transportation and Mail Services provides extensive websites and brochures to inform all staff, students, and faculty about alternative methods of transportation. These resources are broadly publicized through orientation sessions, mailings, and outreach events.

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The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
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A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
The Department of Transportation provides a brochure about bike safety and etiquette, as well as a map of bike lanes. Also available are campus maps for navigational purposes.

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The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
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A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Campus Sustainability Office publishes several online and paper guidebooks for both on-campus and off-campus housing situations. These materials are distributed widely throughout the year and are available for download. Additionally a poster series for residence halls is available for download.

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The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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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:
The Cornell Daily Sun (Cornell's student newspaper) regularly covers sustainability through various writers and has met with sustainability staff on a annual basis to discuss editorial oversight of the 'sustainability beat.' An online search of the Cornell Daily Sun is the easiest way to see the most recent coverage (see link below).

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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
A brief description of another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above (1st material):
The Cornell Chronicle is Cornell's daily news service, with regular coverage of sustainability assigned to two reporters. Currently the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future is premiere location for all Cornell Chronicle stories on sustainability (see link below). The sustainablecampus news blog is new and more authoritative source for all Chronicle news stories on sustainability: http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/blogs/news

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

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A brief description of this material (2nd material):
This Local and Regional Food Systems Guide is intended to provide an index of initiatives and resources related to the study and development of local and regional food systems, or "foodsheds".

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

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A brief description of this material (3rd material):
The annual report for the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future is publicly available for download on ACSF's website.

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

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A brief description of this material (4th material):
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The website URL for this material (4th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
No

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A brief description of this material (5th material):
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The website URL for this material (5th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
No

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A brief description of this material (6th material):
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The website URL for this material (6th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
No

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A brief description of this material (7th material):
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The website URL for this material (7th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
No

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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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