| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.22 |
| Liaison | Rebecca Walker |
| Submission Date | June 30, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Southern Oregon University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Roxane
Beigel-Coryell Sustainability & Recycling Coordinator Facilities Management & Planning |
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):
SOU's sustainability website provides information on sustainability-related academic programs, engagement opportunities, and campus operations. The site provides links to information on the Sustainability Council; articles in local newspapers; courses, degrees and concentrations; faculty; current initiatives and future plans; the SOU Climate Action Plan; the Farm at SOU; and student projects.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
A quarterly sustainability newsletter is emailed to the entire campus population each term. The newsletter includes updates on energy usage and waste generated on campus; a highlight of sustainability-related student projects; articles on sustainability initiatives; updates on the Sustainability Council; upcoming events and more.
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:
SOU has several social media platforms that focus on campus sustainability. The following campus sustainability groups each have Facebook pages where they post events, updates, facts, tips, and other relevant information for the campus and community relating to sustainability:
SOU Sustainability and Recycling: https://www.facebook.com/sourecycles
Ecology and Sustainability Resource Center (ECOS): https://www.facebook.com/EcologyCenteroftheSiskiyous/?fref=ts
ECOS Garden: https://www.facebook.com/ECOSgarden/?fref=ts
The Farm at SOU: A Center for Sustainability: https://www.facebook.com/TheFarmatSOU/?fref=ts
SOU Bike program: https://www.facebook.com/SOU-Bike-Program-243298732384837/?fref=ts
SOU Commuter Resource Center: https://www.facebook.com/SOUCommuterResourceCenter/?fref=ts
SOU Landscaping: https://www.facebook.com/Southern-Oregon-University-Landscape-301903273283504/?fref=ts
The SOU Green House also has a Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/SouGreenhouse/) The SOU Green House is an exciting new solution-oriented learning community at Southern Oregon University that focuses on sustainability, adventure, leadership, and applied research. Students, faculty, and community members work together to understand and solve problems through investigation, collaboration and action.
Sustainability at SOU also recently launched twitter and instagram accounts.
https://twitter.com/sustain_SOU
https://www.instagram.com/sustainability_SOU/
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:
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 Rogue Journal of Undergradute Research (RJUR) accepts submissions of research to be considered for publication. Additionally, SOU's Sustainability Newsletter features student sustainability research when appropriate.
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 :
In the lobby of the LEED Platinum Higher Education Center in Medford, OR visitors can learn about the building's green features and its solar performance. A monitor in the lobby displays a dashboard by Deck Monitoring with information on the amount of solar energy being produced. There is also signage highlighting the green building features.
On the Main SOU campus, there are signs on the LEED certified buildings within the LEED Gold Certified Raider Village. These include the Hawk Dining Facility, and Shasta and McLoughlin residence halls. The signs discuss the sustainable features of each building and provides sustainability tips for residents and visitors to follow.
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:
The campus dining areas have signage on the walls and every dining table with information about nutrition, local foods, trayless dining, waste reduction, packaging, and composting. The signage on the tables include scanable tags for students to learn more about SOU's sustainable dining practices and find tips for ways to incorporate sustainability into their own lives. Additionally there are signs advertising the dining hall's reusable take-out containers.
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:
SOU Landscaping has installed signage to identify campus pollinator gardens. They have also installed a number of signs around campus advertising SOU's designation as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, Bee Campus USA, and Tree Campus USA. Additionally, there is interpretive signage discussing the principles and plants found in the campus bioswale runoff mitigation garden.
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:
Sustainability tours are available upon request. Sustainability tours include a walking tour of campus highlighting existing sustainability practices including the bike share program, recycling program, the Farm at SOU, organic community garden, LEED buildings, Ecology and Sustainability Resource Center, solar arrays, and other campus sustainability projects and resources.
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:
Southern Oregon University's Commuter Resource Center's website includes information for commuters on alternative transportation including walking, biking, skating, transit, and ride sharing in partnership with the Transportation Options program.
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:
SOU's newly revamped bike program offers ongoing support for bicyclists and pedestrians on campus. The program hosts educational events and workshops, including how to weatherize your bike, biker safety, and bike repair workshops.
SOU's Transportation Options program also provides materials for bicyclists and pedestrians. The program gives students an opportunity to sign up for a free Go Kit, where they can request materials on their chosen mode of transportation. Materials available to students include maps, safety guides, reflective stickers, bike lights, and more.
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:
SOU's Housing Department supplies students and visitors with a brochure detailing the green features of the LEED Gold residence halls, as well as sustainable living tips for students. Some of the tips found in the brochure include:
Use EnergyStar electronics and compact fluorescent light bulbs; Set a schedule for your thermostat to turn off during class or other times when your apartment is vacant; Reduce electrical ‘phantom’ loads by plugging electrical items into a surge protector and turning it off when not in use; and more!
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:
SOU's Ecology & Sustainability Resource Center (ECOS) publishes a monthly newsletter highlighting student sustainability initiatives on campus, current sustainability events, and opportunities to get involved.
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.