Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 74.49
Liaison Krista Bailey
Submission Date Dec. 17, 2020

STARS v2.2

Pennsylvania State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00
"---" 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

Website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter or social media platform that focuses specifically on campus sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter or social media platform:

The "Mainstream" bimonthly e-newsletter communicates highlights of Penn State's sustainability efforts in outreach, operations and academics. The publication shares stories from across all campuses and areas at Penn State while also letting everyone know about upcoming events, funding opportunities, and how to follow us on social media. http://sustainability.psu.edu/mainstream

AIR is a monthly newsletter for Green Team members and any other interested parties. Each issue includes an Accomplishment, and Inspiration and Resources (AIR) aimed at a staff audience. The publication is sent out to over 1,000 Penn Staters and each month’s edition is archived on the Green Teams website. http://sustainability.psu.edu/live/staff/green-teams-program

The Sustainability Institute also maintains a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Links to these platforms can be found on the footer of the website: http://sustainability.psu.edu/


Does the institution have signage that highlights sustainability features on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage that highlights sustainability features on campus:

Several examples of signage include the following:
The green roof installed as part of the LEED-certified HUB student union building addition and renovation project includes signage to educate community members about the green roof’s sustainability benefits, plants and weather station.

The Intramural (IM) building has signage that explains its LEED characteristics. Similar signage is planned for the LEED-certified Steidle building as well.

Hort Woods is a 4-acre remnant patch of oak-hickory forest on central campus. Signage there explains the history and significance of this urban woodlot, and efforts to restore it by removing invasive plants and re-establishing native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species.


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

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

Penn State's online interactive map - which has replaced paper maps - has a tab labeled "sustainability", that highlights features such as LEED certified buildings, solar arrays, and features of the Sustainability Experience Center. The map also makes it easy to find more sustainable transportation options, such as campus buses and shuttles, and bike paths and repair stations. In addition there is a mobile app that one can use to track the current location of buses and shuttles. https://map.psu.edu

The Sustainability Experience Center offers an online map and virtual tours of some of the sustainability-related features at that site, which include a solar home, wind turbines, community garden, and provenance studies of two tree species.

Lion Ambassadors (Student Tour Group) includes Sustainability as a topic of discussion during their new/perspective student tours.


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

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

A page on the main sustainability website is devoted to "Sustainability in Our Residence Halls". The page includes tips for improving sustainability in the areas of energy and water use, waste, dining, purchasing and transportation. http://sustainability.psu.edu/residence-halls

In addition, the EcoReps have launched "Eco-Stories" in the dorms to provide information on sustainability tips and events of interest to residential students.


A brief description of other comprehensive sustainability outreach materials and publications not covered above:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

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.