| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.81 |
| Liaison | Kathleen Crawford |
| Submission Date | July 28, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Florida Gulf Coast University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
William
Braden Student Assitant Environmental Health & Safety |
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):
The mission of the Environmental Coalition of FGCU (ECOFGCU) is to amplify and increase the visibility of environmental organizations on campus, while developing synergy among groups to further FGCU's mission of sustainability. ECOFGCU will help cultivate and maintain an integrated network within FGCU to connect campus departments and environmentally-based registered student organizations (RSO's) with each other, and all other individuals and groups interested in taking action to further FGCU's mission of sustainability. Events and projects of common interest are posted as well as discussion pages.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education sends quarterly newsletter e-mails to stakeholders with information on recent Center activity, upcoming events, and other news from FGCU.
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:
Most of the student groups described in EN-3 use social media to communicate with their peers and many have their own sustainability-focused social media pages.
The Environmental Health & Safety Department manages Facebook and Twitter pages that promote sustainability events and opportunities. The Student Government Director of Sustainability manages an Instagram account with the same goal. Campus Naturalists also have Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.
FGCU's Service-Learning Facebook Page promotes environmental service opportunities such as RecycleMania, Eagles' Earth Day Planning, Tree Campus USA tree care and tree planting events, campus cleanups, and helps organize volunteers that make such events successful.
Student Government creates videos that they share on Youtube to promote sustainability on campus.
Many Colloquium classes use social media such as Pintrest and Youtube to document wildlife that they encounter.
FGCU's Instagram Page shared photos of wildlife sightings on campus on a regular basis as well as pictures of Tree Campus USA and other environmental sustainability events.
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:
Not at this time.
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:
Faculty Senate Grants and Research Team and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs hosts an Annual Research Day. A student poster competition and general viewing opportunity highlights student research activities.
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 :
Building signage has started with our first academic building built to LEED standards. This LEED platinum building has signs demonstrating the sustainable practices both inside the building as well as outside. These include, but are not limited to the following: -signs that explain how campus buildings are designed to reduce heat islands
-signs that tell the benefit of biking and where to find showers and lockers on campus so that biking is a more feasible mode of transit in the heat.
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:
All vegan and vegetarian items are labeled and there are supplementary brochures on food allergies and other dietary restrictions. Students from University Colloquium students designed posters for the dining halls that encourage dining patrons to reduce their food waste.
Additionally, there are signs in the cafeteria that remind students not to feed the wildlife as well as signs about making healthy and seasonal food choices. These include a monthly edition of "Eat Your Greens" similar to the Wellness InSTALLments on main campus managed by Peers Care.
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:
There are 30 "conservation area" signs for the protected areas of campus grounds and alligator education signs at waterways to inform visitors to campus of protected areas and to be aware of native wildlife.
There is a sign near the academic buildings that lets people know that the area is xeriscaped with native plants which don’t require irrigation or fertilizer.
There are over 50 signs within the FGCU Food Forest that correspond to an array of tropical and subtropical fruit species, perennial vegetables, and native species. These signs include student illustrations, brief information regarding fruiting times, fertilizer needs, cold hardiness, and native origin. In addition, the signs utilize QR codes that link to websites that expand on the information on the sign, including harvesting techniques, basic preparation for consumption in the case of the edibles, nutritional content, and ecological benefits.
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:
The Welcome Center tour guides point out bike racks, LEED certified buildings, solar compactors and recycling bins. They also talk about FGCU's efficient cooling system and electricity generated from our solar field.
Campus Naturalists lead tours to Colloquium students that point out the campus's sustainability features in developed areas and take students through campus nature trails.
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:
Information and links regarding transportation options are found on FGCU's Department of Environmental Health and Safety's Website.
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:
Bikes & Skateboards:
There are stations around campus where campus community members can fix their bikes. There is a bike lane around the main loop of campus. There are places to check skateboards.
Pedestrians:
There are covered walkways all around the academic spine, which shade the walkways and make them more comfortable for pedestrians. Bike racks and skateboards checks are outside of this area so that the shaded walkways are for pedestrians only, which increases safety.
The cross walk outside of the Cohen Center connects the North Lake Village/Sports & Recreational Facilities to the main campus and is audible for the visually impaired.
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 Office of Housing and Residence Life is committed to creating a greener environment for its residents. They have a committee that develops sustainability initiatives for residents and their operational staff works to coordinate the Green Eagle Move Out, which ensures that move out wastes are minimized. The Office of Housing's Sustainability Committee has also participated in and sponsored other events, including Eagles' Earth Day.
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 website URL for these materials or publications:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Additional social media platforms focused on sustainability:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sustain_fgcu
Instagram: @FGCUsustain
Additional social media platforms focused on sustainability:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sustain_fgcu
Instagram: @FGCUsustain
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.