| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.24 |
| Liaison | Paul Scanlon |
| Submission Date | Feb. 22, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Slippery Rock University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Paul
Scanlon Special Assistant to the President President's Office/Sustainability |
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):
The website includes information about, and links to:
- the President's Commission on Sustainability;
- the Green Fund Grant program;
- the section of the university's strategic plan that focuses on sustainability;
- the President's Climate Commitment;
- our AASHE STARS, Climate Action Plan, and Progress Reports;
- SRU Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories from 2005 to the present;
- the University's Energy Conservation Policy (soon to be converted to our "Resource Conservation Policy";
- SRU's undergraduate and graduate academic programs relating to sustainability;
- Campus and community organizations that promote sustainable living
- a map of SRU's Campus Sustainable Features;
- tips for saving energy on the job or at home;
- links to environmental websites of educational value;
- SRU's Energy Action Campaign "Small Steps, Big Payoff" Energy pledge; and
- a Calendar of Events for annual Earth Week events and activities (seasonal).
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
SRU has two groups that regularly publish newsletters regarding upcoming sustainability events and educational materials.
The Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Research & Education publishes a weekly newsletter containing upcoming events at the center, organic produce available, and sustainable living tips.
The School of Business's Sustainable Enterprise Accelerator (SEA) also issues a regular newsletter describing sustainable student internship opportunities, project case histories, client interviews, conservation tips, and upcoming events scheduled for the Students for Sustainability, the SRU Slow Foods group, upcoming Penn State Agricultural Extension workshops and other on and off-campus clubs and organizations activities.
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:
Slippery Rock's Office of Sustainability employs a student worker who is a Communications/Public Relations major to manage a sustainability Facebook page, Twitter account (@SRUsustain), and Instagram account to connect with students, post sustainability information, and inform those interested in upcoming sustainable events. Weekly contests are run to encourage student participation, with prizes such as reusable stainless steel water bottles, bookstore coupons for purchasing educational materials, and $25 food coupons for campus and local dining establishments. Those taking the energy pledge are included in a database that allows us to easily reach out to remind them of their pledge commitments and invite them to participate in additional sustainability related events and activities.
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:
na
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:
The student interns at The Sustainable Enterprise Accelerator regularly publish a newsletter describing their sustainable research projects.
Another vehicle used to disseminate student research on sustainability is our sustainability website (www.sru.edu/sustainability), where our AASHE Stars Report can be reviewed to learn about all the sustainable research conducted over the past three years.
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 :
The Harmony House at the Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research is LEED-Silver certified for Existing Buildings, and contains educational posters throughout the building that describe green features such as the geothermal heating system, daylighting, passive solar heating, alternative energy systems, use of recycled and low-VOC materials, composting systems, etc. Permanent interpretive display signs are also used along the nature hiking trails on site to describe sustainable landscaping features, permaculture planning used for site development, and alternative energy systems used.
A Campus Sustainable Features Map is also available, and shows various sustainable buildings/features with a description of each feature and why it is important (this map can be downloaded as a PDF at www.sru.edu/sustainability)
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:
AVI, the food services provider at Slippery Rock University, distributes a brochure, "Good Things at the Rock," that highlights the numerous efforts AVI takes towards their sustainable food and dining services operations.
The brochure lists AVI's local food partners, on-campus sustainability-related events that AVI supports, and conservation activities taking place at the dining halls. Posters, electronic displays, and informative brochures are also located within the Dining Halls to provide additional information regarding nutrition and sustainable food practices.
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:
Interpretive display signage located on the grounds of the Macoskey Center describe sustainable grounds/landscaping features such as the community and market demonstration gardens, composting areas, renewable energy systems on-site, and a grey water constructed wetlands system. In addition, signage kiosks on the main campus grounds are used to describe features of the hiking/biking trails (as well as "Leave No Trace Behind" tips), educational outdoor classroom features, and tags indicating local/indigenous tree species of interest.
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:
The SRU Campus Sustainable Features map highlights the institution's major visible sustainable features including green roofs, the harnessing human energy project, LEED certified buildings, the wind-powered lake aeration system, solar-powered rain water collection and drip irrigation system, rain gardens, wildlife sanctuaries, ecological research area, limestone classroom, solar systems, weather station, butterfly trail, hike/bike trail, and equestrian trail. The map is available for use during admissions walking tours and can also be downloaded by the general public from the sustainability office's website.
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:
Posters and brochures describing SRU's Happy Bus free shuttle service are posted around campus and in residence halls, the Student Union, and at shuttle stops. The Happy Bus has its own webpage, as well as NextBus GPS technology that allows students to see in real-time when the next bus will be arriving. The Happy Bus is funded by the Student Government Association.
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:
The Campus Sustainable Features Map locates the trail heads for the Overlook Biking/Hiking Trail, as well as additional nature hiking trails at the Macoskey Center site. Kiosk signage and interpretive displays along hiking trails provides educational information specific to each trail as well, and include "Leave No Trace" tips.
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:
An informational flyer that explains SRU's commitment to sustainability and identifies sustainability-focused organizations and resources on campus is included in the "Successful Learning: A Guide to First Year Studies (FYRST) booklet that is the "go to" resource for incoming students.
Sustainability Seminars are offered as part of the FYRST year seminars for incoming freshman who reside in the residence halls.
Energy dashboards located in the lobbies of the Residence Halls also display current/historical electrical energy and water use, as well as energy conservation tips, to support periodic energy conservation contests.
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:
Energy conservation booklets and similar material are available to be downloaded from our sustainability website (via the "energy conservation" button at www.sru.edu/sustainability), with hard copies of the same (and additional sustainability resource material) available to groups touring the Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research.
Videos on Youtube are another means of outreach used to promote sustainability at SRU.
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.