Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 62.47
Liaison Kara Holmstrom
Submission Date March 3, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Luther College
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Maren Beard
Assistant Director, Campus Sustainability
Center for Sustainable Communities
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Central Sustainability Website 

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 (optional):
Luther's Sustainability website contains information about energy, waste, food, transportatation, education and land use initiatives. The website also provides suggestions for ways to get involved, as well as information on community outreach initiatives through the Center for Sustainable Communities.

The website URL for the central sustainability website:
http://www.luther.edu/sustainability/

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
In Fall 2013 the Center for Sustainable Communities launched a biweekly sustainability e-newsletter as a way to share special features, upcoming events, faculty/staff/student spotlights and job postings related to sustainability on campus and in the region. It can be read online or delivered directly to the subscribers inbox. Currently there are about 1,500 individuals on the mailing list. We also offer a e-newsletter specific to resident assistants that includes sustainability programming ideas and tips for living sustainably in the residence hall. From May through October we run an e-newsletter specifically for the 100 faculty and staff who participate in our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Rebate Program.

None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
http://www.luther.edu/sustainability/about/newsletters/

Social Media Platforms 

Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The Center for Sustainable Communities is actively engaged in using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Pintrist to connect with constituents.

The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
http://www.luther.edu/sustainability/get-involved/

Student Newspaper Coverage 

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 the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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Student Research Publication 

Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The majority of student projects, papers and proposals related to sustainability are hosted on the website. This portion of the website receives significant traffic from students at other institutions who are looking for ideas and research on implementing projects at their own schools.

None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
https://www.luther.edu/sustainability/education/in-the-classroom/research/

Green Building Signage 

Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
All residence halls and academic and administrative buildings have recycling bins, and contain signs indicating where the recycle bins are and how to sort recyclable materials. There are also signs in the residence halls and the cafeteria indicating where the compost is and what materials can be composted. Signs about cold water washing and line drying are in each laundry room. In Summer 2016 we placed permanent signs in each of 20 student units in Baker Village to remind student residents of the fact that Baker Village is powered by the sun and earth. Signs contain suggestions for how students can be responsible stewards of resources. In Spring 2017 three signs will be placed in different buildings across campus to highlight green features. One sign will give a comprehensive list of green features in our LEED Gold science building, another will explain the geothermal system in our arts building and the last will talk about the solar PV on the roof of the library. All of these are meant to highlight often unnoticed features of our buildings that are important to campus sustainability.

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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Sustainable Food Systems Information 

Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
There is a television in the cafeteria that contains student-created bulletin features on local producers and local items currently being sourced. Information about all local producers and products we source is available on the sustainability website.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
https://www.luther.edu/sustainability/food/purchases/suppliers/

Sustainable Grounds Signage 

Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Signage is used to highlight and educate about Luther's edible landscapes, rain garden, oak savannah restoration and prairies. A new sign was recently installed on the Union balcony to highlight renewable energy, food production and the river. Signage often explains the purpose of the sustainable landscape feature. For example: "The rain garden absorbs rainwater from the roof of Sampson-Hoffland that would otherwise go into the storm sewer system and the river. Native wetland plants such as grasses, sedges, and wildflowers are used in rain gardens due to their extensive and deep root systems. These roots enhance the infiltration of stormwater into the ground, helping to reduce flooding."

The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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Sustainable Walking Map or Tour 

Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
We have a sustainability scavenger hunt available on our website and encourage incoming students to take it. We often incorporate scavenger hunts into trainings and orientations that we lead.

None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
https://www.luther.edu/sustainability/about/in-the-news/?story_id=716913

Guide for Commuters 

Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
No

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
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The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
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Materials for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
The website listed below has detailed maps of the various walking and biking trails in Decorah. In addition, the Recreational Service Center and SPOKES are always willing and able to provide students further information about Decorah's trails and about bike safety/ road etiquette. Our Sustainable Transportation Educator produced a video on bike safety that is available on our website.

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
https://www.luther.edu/sustainability/energy-climate/transportation/bikes/

Green Living Guide 

Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Luther's Sustainability website features a page with energy conservation tips for students and other members of the campus community.

None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
http://www.luther.edu/sustainability/energy-climate/conservation/

Other Outreach Materials 

Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:
The Sustainability Department regularly submits information to the Tuesday, which is geared towards faculty and staff and published every Tuesday. We also regularly promote events through the Bulletin, which is more catered for students. Perhaps our most successful way of communicating information is through stall flyers, which we place in the bathroom stalls every other week throughout the year. These contain updates, tips and information on upcoming events. We reserve napkin holders in the cafeteria once/month throughout the year as a way to promote sustainability programs and events.

The website URL for these materials or publications:
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Optional Fields 

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.