Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.94
Liaison Bert Jacobson
Submission Date Feb. 3, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Kankakee Community College
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Bert Jacobson
Dean, Environmental and Institutional Sustainability
Environmental and Institutional Sustainability
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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 No
Signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed Yes
A sustainability walking map or tour No
A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation Yes
Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians No
A guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience No
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:

The website, which is updated on a weekly basis, has a splash page that declares KCC as a signatory of the ACUPCC, charter member of AASSHE STARS, and founding member of the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN). There is also a directory divided into On Campus, In the Classroom, and In the Community sections.


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

KCC contributes regular updates to the Illinois Green Economy Network Newsletter, Update (the internal KCC newsletter), and the Annual Sustainability Report
http://www.kcc.edu/Community/sustainability/Documents/SustainabilityReport2013.pdf
http://www.kcc.edu/FacultyStaff/update/Pages/dailyupdate.aspx


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

KCC's Students for Eco-Quality have a Facebook page that provides a social media platform for campus sustainability. Various faculty also use YouTube to highlight campus sustainability initiatives engaging thioer students (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLZCV1p8vFo)


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:

The Students for Eco-Quality Facebook page, Phi That Kappa's Facebook page, and the KCC Update are all vehicles used to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability. One notable recent example was Phi Theta Kappa's project to research and present information and recommendations on dealing with the Emerald Ash Borer infestation in our area.


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 :

All of our new construction and renovations are seeking LEED Silver standards as a minimum requirement. Our North Extension Center, our most recent construction project is our first opportunity to provide LEED green building features. We are planning an Advanced Technology Education Center on our main campus--to break ground Spring 2015--that will also include LEED green building feature signage. An example of the type of signage we are using is at the URL http://www.kcc.edu/Community/Collegeinfo/collegelocations/nec/Pages/NEC-green-design.aspx


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:

We have a new Food Service provider and are working with them to instate new efforts in the food service area to, among other things, sell reusable cups, eliminate Styrofoam, eliminate bottled water, and improve signage. We are also exploring a Green Restaurant award.


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:

We have signage for our Prairie Acre, Greenhouse, Natural Habitat area, natural landscaping, and integrated pest management.


The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
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A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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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:

KCC has a transportation webpage that describes the River Valley Metro Bus Service schedule and routes, and offers students and staff discount tickets; Biking information that mentions our newly developed Kankakee Riverfront Trail that makes KCC's riverfront campus very accessible by bike and the locations of bike racks;


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:

Biking information that mentions our newly developed Kankakee Riverfront Trail that makes KCC's riverfront campus very accessible by bike and the locations of bike racks;


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:

WE do not have residences.


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:

There is no main student newspaper, per se, but we do have a college-wide Update which regularly features sustainability topics sent in by our sustainability professionals, faculty, staff, and students. The Dean for Environmental and Institutional Sustainability and the Faculty Advisor of the Students for Eco-Quality take the lead in providing current sustainability news.


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):

One major outreach effort is our Solar Power Hours designed to educate our community's home and business owners. ​KCC and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association have partnered to educate our community about the benefits of solar energy and create a unique solar purchasing program that promotes local businesses.
The program explains why solar energy is becoming an increasingly financially-attractive power source, offers information about qualified local solar installers and equipment suppliers, and directs participants to a free solar site assessment, available solar tax credits and other incentive programs. Kankakee Power Hour informational sessions are free and open to the public.


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):

KCC is has developed a Sustainable Resource Management certificate program in collaboration with the Illinois Recycling Association. The certificate will be the foundation for a state-wide nationally accredited certification for Sustainable Resource Management professionals. Illinois will be one of only three or four states with this state-wide national certification.


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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.