| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.91 |
| Liaison | Daryl Pierson |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Portland State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Amanda
Wolf Program + Assessment Coordinator Campus Sustainability Office |
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
pdx.edu/sustainability includes information about current sustainability news, projects, research and operations, and displays 3 main categories: research, education and campus, as well as upper level tabs with more information.
The site includes the Solutions Blog, current news items, and links out to all the related sustainability offices on campus. People can also sign up for the e-newsletter, or connect via social media from this main site.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Campus Sustainability Office compiles newsletter content that is distributed to over 5,000 recipients. The newsletter features sustainability news, events, and spotlight articles from sustainability programs.
Most content is culled from
http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/news
http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/events
http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/current-opportunities
https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/solutions-blog
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
Our Sustainability at Portland State Facebook page (with 2,400 followers) shares news and events from around campus related to sustainability. It covers topics from research, student projects, events, student opportunities, operations, and others. Additionally, we maintain a twitter handle, @sustainablepdx (6295 followers) which tweets updates and content similar to that of our Facebook feed, but to a much broader and more national audience. Sustainability at PSU also has an instagram account #sustainpdx (with 650 followers) in order to highlight photos of students/staff attending events around campus. Sustainability at PSU also maintains a LinkedIn group, aimed at alumni, which has 488 members.
The Campus Sustainability Office also has two additional Facebook pages, PSU Resue Room and PSU Recycles to highlight waste reduction and our resuse programs on campus and an instagram account @psurecycles
The Student Sustainability Center also has a Facebook page and Instagram page. These pages are mostly advertised to current SSC students and serve as a way to stay in touch with the students who have gone through our programs.
The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
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?:
A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
PSU’s student newspaper features regular articles about sustainability. These are not through a specific column, but the topic is covered at least once per week. The Vanguard publishes a special Earth Days issue each April.
The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
- Student research projects are showcased on the pdx.edu/sustainability website.
-ISS Student Fellows host several events throughout the year, some events highlight work students are doing via internships and or through their research
- Students may present at PSU's Annual Campus Sustainability Celebration, Undergraduate Research Conference, Student Leadership Conference, and Urban Ecological Research Symposium. Students are also encouraged to submit presentations to the annual AASHE conference and bi-annual Washington and Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference (WOHESC).
-Students are encouraged to submit ideas for campus sustainability research projects through the PSU Living Lab program.
Research opportunities and internships are posted to the Current Opportunities page and publicized to students via social media and the email newsletter.
-PDX Scholar, a service of the Portland State University Library provides a space for PSU students to post dissertations and theses
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Blumel Bike Garage Ecoroof Sign:
Look up and see green!
Ecoroof size: 1,120sf
Constructed March 2010
The ecoroof on top of this bike shelter represents Portland State University's and the city's commitment to sustainable site development. This ecoroof complements other stormwater management techniques throughout the PSU campus including Stormwater Planters, Green Streets, Rainwawter harvesting, and more Ecoroofs.
Stephen Epler Hall Stormwater Planters:
Sustainable stormwater solutions for clean rivers
The stormwater planters at Stephen Epler Hall are the centerpiece of a visually engaging rainwater harvesting system. The planters intercept runoff form the roofs of Epler and King Albert halls and from the public plaza between the buildings. Instead of directing stormwater runoff into ta sewer pipe, this site uses stormwater as a resource. The runoff irrigates native vegetation in the planters and is then reused for surround landscape irrigation and public restroom use at Epler Hall. This system reduces Portland State University's water and stormwater utility bills.
Engineering Building Water Conservation & Management:
Portland State University's Fariborz Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science is certified as a LEED Gold Building in recognition of the following achievements in Water Conservation and Management:
-a rooftop rainwater harvesting system channels water to the 2nd floor Hydrology Lab, where it is filtered and treated before being pumped to 1st floor restrooms for use in toilets and urinals
-Waterless urinals on floors 2-5 that utilize gravity and a bio-based oil to drain urinals and trap odors
-Incorporates native and drought-tolerant species into the landscape design minimizes irrigation needs
-Uses 40% less water than a conventional building constructed to Oregon Code.
Academic and Student Recreation Center:
All bathrooms feature dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets to reduce overall water use. The rainwater on the fifth floor eco-terrace is captured through the outdoor flooring, held in a cistern in the basement, and used for the toilets and fire suppression system. Between low-flow fixtures and the rainwater collection system, over 300,000 gallons of water are saved each year, which is 85% more efficient than a standard building.
Smith Memorial Student Union Green Screen:
Located in the Smith lobby, this interactive dashboard allows visitors to see real-time water and energy use for the building. The Student Sustainability Center also adds sustainability event and program information to a digital screen in the main lobby of Smith through their partnership with Student Activities and Leadership Programs. As well, the SSC's office sign is visible from the main lobby of Smith.
Campus Loop Sign:
PSU's Campus Loop is a district energy system that provides heating and cooling to multiple buildings in the core of campus. Centralized locations generate steam and chilled water which are distributed through a network of pipes to connected buildings. As a result, each building does not require individual boilers and chiller and the University benefits in several ways:
-increased energy efficiency and lower utility costs
-reduced carbon emissions and pollution footprint for the University
-minimized outages due to system inter-connectivity
-lower life cycle costs through reduction of materials used, maintenance, and building capital costs
-increased flexibility to convert to a more efficient fuel source if one becomes available
-ease of operation and maintenance due to central location
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Smith's Kitchen in our student union features signage that indicates whether items are organically or conventionally grown. Local products are listed as such, and we feature brands that are well known for their sustainability efforts. Those efforts are also highlighted on signage. The kitchen also highlights on the menus plant-based options and occasionally highlights plant-based menus for several months.
Victors at Ondine is PSU Eats first zero-waste lunch option for students. Victor's features trayless dining and plates that encourage smaller portions as well as a compost drop off for residents who have signed a composting contract. Victors purchases a variety of sustainably-produced foods. Victors has a chalkboard highlighting % of local foods purchased. They also have seasonal food highlight displays.
The quarterly No Scraps Left Behind program provides informational posters about food waste as well as information about composting during the week long event.
PSU Eats also utilizes social media (facebook and instagram) to highlight their sustainable food options.
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
We have installed signage at a variety of bioswales, at the Community Orchard, and in our student-run Grazing Garden.
Stephen Epler Hall Stormwater Planters:
""Sustainable stormwater solutions for clean rivers
The stormwater planters at Stephen Epler Hall are the centerpiece of a visually engaging rainwater harvesting system. The planters intercept runoff form the roofs of Epler and King Albert halls and from the public plaza between the buildings. Instead of directing stormwater runoff into ta sewer pipe, this site uses stormwater as a resource. The runoff irrigates native vegetation in the planters and is then reused for surround landscape irrigation and public restroom use at Epler Hall. This system reduces Portland State University's water and stormwater utility bills.
The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
PSU has a printed walking sustainability tour map and cultural sustainability tour map. The sustainability tour maps is also available online. The map includes campus stops such as the PSU BikeHub, water bottle refilling stations, permaculture gardens, LEED certified buildings, stormwater mitigation features. The cultural sustainability map highlight all gender restrooms, cultural resource centers, lactation rooms and more.
The sustainability offices and the Student Ambassador programs also offer regular guided sustainability tours by request.
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Information packets are part of new student & employee orientation process. These packets contains university specific information, Kit includes: where to find bike parking, buying transit passes, bike/transit map of city, how to take bike on transit, neighborhood specific maps, streetcar, information about PSU bike hub. Generally available at orientation.
Information is provided at new student orientation, on all campus tours, and through campus outreach through Transportation and Parking Services. Every year, PSU hosts the Bike to PSU Challenge in May to encourage alternative transportation. In October, PSU hosts Walktober to encourage participants to integrate walking into a daily routine. Participants keep track of how many steps they walk each day of October and work toward earning great prizes and incentives, either as a team or individually.
Transportation and Parking Services have also created a transit awareness flyer for departments to hang up in their offices. The flyer highlights the number of buses and rail lines that come to campus, the number of transit commuters, and also car share programs.
The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS) gives out the most up-to-date maps and reference materials (from TriMet, the City of Portland and some that they have created in office) to pedestrians/cyclist that are specifically for pedestrians/cyclist education and navigation purposes. The bike hub also sends out a monthly newsletter that highlights navigation and educational tools.
Additionally, a lot of information is available to everyone online.
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The PSU EcoReps promote sustainable living and offer learning experiences/handouts throughout the year at events, in person, and door-to-door. They partner with student leaders and staff within Housing and Residence Life to design sustainability-focused educational programming and initiatives.
A green living guide was designed and is handed out to students during tabling events.
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
A brief description of these materials or publications:
Sustainability Pathfinder: is a notebook that also provides campus sustainability resources and provides 10 ways for students to get involved at PSU as well as sustainability traits that employers are looking for.
Cultural Sustainability Tour: a self-guided tour map highlighting cultural resource center across campus.
The website URL for these materials or publications:
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.