Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.37
Liaison Laura Bain
Submission Date Jan. 31, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Furman University
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:

Furman's sustainability website shares information about the university's sustainability efforts, including in academics and curriculum, student engagement, and implementation of the sustainability master plan. It also provides resources on sustainability for the Furman community.


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

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The David E. Shi Center for Sustainability publishes a student-written newsletter twice yearly, highlighting student research in sustainability, new programs and projects, and other newsworthy items.


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
No

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research 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?:
No

A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
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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

A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

The Dining Hall displays signs to highlight foods or ingredients sourced locally or organically. Aramark staff create and display the signs daily based on changing ingredients. Additionally, the Dining Hall provides two theme meals per year focused on sustainably-sourced foods (Local and Organic Meal Day); these two meals are an occasion to provide additional signage and information about the food provided by the Dining Hall, as well as an occasion to provide the most locally or organically sourced food possible.


The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
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Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:

Over the past several years, Furman's Planning and Grounds Department, in collaboration with faculty members, students, and the Shi Center for Sustainability, has been heavily engaged in a restoration project for Furman Lake, the 30 acre manmade lake at the center of campus. As part of the restoration project, signs sharing information about the no-mow areas, native plantings, and rain gardens that have been implemented around the lake area. Three signs were provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in cooperation with Upstate Forever (a local non-profit) and Furman University. Brochures are also available to provide additional information and direct visitors and community members to the lake restoration project website.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The Shi Center for Sustainability offers walking tours of Furman's sustainability efforts, focused on the university's identified sustainability living-learning laboratories, to classes, university guests, and other visitors and interested parties. These tours include Furman's renewable energy efforts, LEED buildings, sustainability engaged living programs, Furman Farm organic-practice garden, lake restoration project, replica Thoreau Cabin, solar aquatic wastewater treatment facility, Place of Peace Buddhist temple, and the LEED-Gold Cliffs Cottage, home to the Shi Center for Sustainability.


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?:
No

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
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The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
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Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

Furman's Green Guide for students provides information on how students can live and act more sustainably on campus; information on getting engaged in sustainability-oriented co-curricular activities on campus; information on curricular options for sustainability; and information on engaging in the Greenville community with sustainability and the environment. The Green Guide was developed by students, to meet the needs of the student community at Furman.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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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)?:
No

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:
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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:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

The Green Scene at Furman is a blog maintained by the Bank of America Student Sustainability Fellows (one incoming student each year is selected for a four-year renewable fellowship). The blog is updated regularly with Furman sustainability news, information about Furman and community events, summaries of student research, and other material written by the Fellows. The Bank of America Fellows work closely with the Shi Center for Sustainability to share timely news and information related to Furman's sustainability efforts. This blog is targeted to the student population and finding ways to engage and inform fellow students.


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

A brief description of this material:

The Shi Center for Sustainability has a column in the regularly published employee newsletter, Inside Furman. The column, called Sustainable Living, features stories and news from Furman's sustainability efforts. This is a way to share information with the administration, faculty members, and staff, both related to Furman's broader efforts and the contributions individual employees can make.


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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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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.