| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.78 |
| Liaison | Amber Saxton |
| Submission Date | Sept. 9, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
George Mason University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Giulia
Manno Outreach Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
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 | No |
| Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above | Yes |
A brief description of the central sustainability website:
George Mason University's central web site for sustainability located at green.gmu.edu is managed by its Office of Sustainability. This website features sections on operational sustainability, student involvement opportunities, community leadership information as well as ways for faculty and staff to get involved.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Sustainable Mason newsletter is published monthly by George Mason University's (Mason) Office of Sustainability. The purpose of the email-based newsletter is to highlight the myriad activities that faculty, staff, and students across Mason are undertaking to make the school more sustainable.
Auxiliary Enterprises Green did an annual sustainability report highlighting projects, progress towards goals, and metrics in auxiliary enterprises.
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:
The George Mason University Office of Sustainability Facebook page keeps the Mason and greater community informed about sustainability initiatives, programs, and events. It is used to highlight campaigns and exceptional work of Mason offices and community members as well. The page has over 700 'likes', and posts have a reach of over 1,000.
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:
GREENovation publishes student research in conservation, environment and sustainability studies. The URL below provides the latest issue.
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 :
As part of LEED projects completed on campus, detailed signage has been included to let building users know the intent behind the building's design and what specific environmental features, construction techniques, and operation methods the high performance green buildings employ.
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:
George Mason University has a banner and table tents informing guests within the dining halls about locally grown foods. In addition, there is a brochure titled "Healthier Food Options on Campus". This brochure has tips on how to eat healthier as well as healthier and/or vegetarian options at each eating establishment on campus. Southside, the main dining hall on campus, also has specific markings and information for local, organic, and vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.
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:
At George Mason University (Mason), the bumblebee and butterfly havens, wildflower areas, organic gardens, restoration sites, and rain-gardens have signage that describes the sustainable feature and provides the Mason community with specific instructions on interacting with the area as well as educational information.
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:
George Mason University (Mason) offers a self-guided sustainability tour of its Fairfax campus and has also conducted tours for special events like conferences and orientation days. Mason has also conducted sustainability tours of the Mason Inn on Fairfax campus, Virginia's first LEED Gold Conference Center and Hotel, and Southside dining hall upon request. Within each guest's in-room welcome book, Mason Inn's sustainability features are highlighted.
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:
George Mason University's (Mason) Transportation homepage prominently features links to biking, shuttles/buses, carpool/vanpool, and zipcar/zimride maps and information. Parking and Transportation also offers a guide with parking tips as well as a brief guide to each of the alternative transportation choices offered 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:
Mason offers a free bicycle registration program which includes bike lights, a bike lock, and Virginia specific rules of the road and safety information. Bike lanes, racks, pumps, and shelters are mapped out for cyclists and pedestrians. A Mason area bike route map is also available on the transportation website.
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:
A Green Guide is available to students that covers important topics such as resources on campus, energy use, food, transportation, recycling, and regional resources for more information.
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 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):
Sustainability in George Mason University's academic programs are featured on its Sustainability Studies web site, including programs, courses, and pertinent scholarship funding opportunities.
The website URL for this material (1st material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
A brief description of this material (2nd material):
On George Mason University's (Mason) home page there is a link to the webpage, "Mason Makes a Difference." That webpage educates the public on what Mason students, alumni, faculty, and staff are doing to make the world a better place. Under the Going Greener section, the site highlights Living Green, Learning Green where Mason students who are infusing sustainable practices in their everyday life, course work, communities and careers are highlighted. Additionally, Mason also highlighted faculty, staff and administrators committed to making Mason's campuses sustainable.
The website URL for this material (2nd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
A brief description of this material (3rd material):
George Mason University has a community organic garden. There is a blog associated with the organic garden to update readers on the progress of the garden and events associated with it.
The website URL for this material (3rd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
A brief description of this material (4th material):
The George Mason University (Mason) Office of Sustainability uses google groups to connect the Green Patriots student and faculty/staff group. This thread is used for meeting updates/notes, event information, and volunteer opportunities.
The website URL for this material (4th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
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):
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):
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):
A brief description of this material (8th material):
The website URL for this material (8th material):
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data entered is accurate as of FY14.
Data entered is accurate as of FY14.
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.