Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.81
Liaison Kelly Wellman
Submission Date Dec. 6, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Texas A&M University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 2.00 Ben Kalscheur
Sustainability Assistant Manager
Office of Sustainability
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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):

The Office of Sustainability website is designed to educate about sustainability, to promote sustainable practices both on and off campus, and to provide resources and support for people who wish to incorporate sustainable practices into their work and life.

Additionally, the Department of Residence Life hosts a sustainability webpage within their site to focus on what is happening in residential communities. http://reslife.tamu.edu/living/sustainability/


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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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:

In 2009 we launched a TAMU Sustainability Facebook page to provide instant updates on sustainability-related information, and to interact with our social media subscribers. In 2013 we launched a Twitter account (@SustainableTAMU) to serve the same purpose. In 2014, we launched a similar Instagram account (@sustainabletamu)
In 2015, we launched a snapchat account (@sustainabletamu)

The Department of Residence Life hosts a facebook page for Aggie Eco Reps at https://www.facebook.com/aggieecoreps/ and uses the Department Facebook, Twitter (@TAMUResLife) and Instagram to share information about sustainability initiatives, events and information.


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?:
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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Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
No

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :

In the spirit of sustainability which is a keystone of The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation, the buildings are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certified. Their many green features include:

A revolutionary heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system that uses natural convection currents in the Mitchell Institute’s six-story atrium
A cistern that collects and stores condensate and rainfall for irrigation of the building exteriors and the rooftop Cynthia Woods Mitchell Garden
Orientation and design to maximize heat gain and natural light
Sustainable and recycled building materials

These building features are marked through signage throughout the building and the buildings exterior. Similar signage is in place in the other LEED certified buildings on campus.

Apart from existing signage, the Campus Master Plan was recently updated and incorporating sustainability signage around campus is a priority.


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?:
No

A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
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The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
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Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
No

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:

Transportation Services highlights a variety of options through an Alternative Transportation link on their website. It is also a part of the TAMU mobile app.

Additionally, the Off Campus Student Services within the Offices of the Dean of Student Life publishes a Survival Guide for use by off campus students and it includes alternative transportation information at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss.offcampuspublications. There is also information on their website.


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)? :
Yes

A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

Transportation Services provides information and resources about: bike registration, bike regulations, theft & safety, the Borrow a Bike program, summer bike storage, bike auctions, bike program updates, bike racks, bike maintenance stations, campus bike lanes, and city bike lanes on their website.


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?:
Yes

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

The Residential Housing Association (RHA) recognized that to be good stewards, students need to lead the push to retool the built environment, in addition to our lifestyle and habits. Several students in RHA created this Sustainability Guide document to motivate change that encourages fiscal, environmental, and social responsibility. Additional resources are available on the Residence Life Sustainability page at http://reslife.tamu.edu/living/sustainability/.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:

The Office of Sustainability has developed a Sustainability Pledge that students, faculty, and staff can take online. This pledge offers a plethora of information regarding sustainable actions individuals can take in their lives, why it is so important, and links for further reading. The pledge is specifically tailored to A&M's culture and infrastructure.

Aggie Eco Reps have created bulletin boards that are displayed in residential communities on a rotating (as requested) basis. Additionally, on the back of room doors is a sticker prompting awareness of sustainability, with a QR code that links to the Residence Life Sustainability page. Many rooms with individual thermostats have stickers about the campus comfort range of 72-77 degrees (F). Bathrooms with dual flush toilets are appropriately labelled as well.to encourage appropriate use.


The website URL for these materials or publications:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.