| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 88.31 |
| Liaison | James Gordon |
| Submission Date | May 31, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Thompson Rivers University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
James
Gordon Environmental Programs and Research Coordinator TRU Office of Environment and Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Central Sustainability Website
Yes
A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
The TRU Sustainability Office website details the initiatives and upcoming events undertaken by the Office. In addition, it describes student and affiliate activities and showcases leaders in sustainability on campus. Finally, it provides helpful links to local groups working towards sustainability, recycling programs, and other Canadian university sustainability programs.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Sustainability Newsletter
No
None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
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None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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Social Media Platforms
Yes
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TRUsustain
Instagram: @TRUSustain
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TRUsustainability
The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
Student Newspaper Coverage
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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Student Research Publication
Yes
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
TRU has this vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability. It is a place that students can store sustainability related research.
None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Green Building Signage
Yes
None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
TRU’s 13 most prominent buildings feature an eye-catching 11x17 infographic poster in the main entrance that highlights the green features of that particular building.
None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Sustainable Food Systems Information
Yes
A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
TRU's Culinary Arts program supports TRU's campus composting project, and its cafeteria composts virtually all of its inedible organic waste. Signage to support this initiative is prominently placed throughout the program's facility, particularly where cafeteria patrons clean off their plates after their meals.
None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Sustainable Grounds Signage
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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Sustainable Walking Map or Tour
Yes
None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The TRU Sustainability Office offers sustainability tours of the campus for orientations and various events. The office, in partnership with TRU WORLD's international Department, offers sustainability tours as an elective and part of their summer program. Tours include the following:
• Open with a general inquiry to gauge the participant's level of interest and education to help make discussions later in the tour better suited to the students involved
• An overview of the solar sidewalk and concepts of solar energy leading to energy demand discussions
• An overview of the composting program and general discussion on the cycle of energy
• Walking to the campus gardens and showing the changed methods of irrigation and plant management to reduce water use, as well as the local species
• Showing the roof mounted solar hot water systems
• A stop at a zero waste station to talk about how the TRU community handles recycling, and how to use our 4 bin system
• Depending on the interest level and time, the tour can also include stops in the entrances of major campus buildings to point out sustainable initiatives indoors. There are posters in the entrance of major buildings that point out all significant sustainability aspects to it (such as heating, electrical and lighting systems; indoor gardens/living roofs; and zero waste systems). These posters help raise awareness with students as they move from building to building.
TRU doesn’t give out any paper material on the tour but instead has electronic versions of information (we mention on the tour that we do this to save paper). We have green guides, and tool kits (how to zero waste, save paper, reduce energy, etc.) that we share electronically (we provide links or explain how to save our green guide to a home screen) and we have QR codes for some of our sustainability related features. QR codes take tour participants to a link that describes a specific feature or program; here is an example: https://www.builtspace.com/Sites/Mobile/Pages/Asset-Or-Space.aspx?assetId=302
None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Guide for Commuters
Yes
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Alternative sustainable methods of transportation are promoted by both the TRU Student Union’s (TRUSU) website and the Office’s website, including UPASS (a free, unlimited transit pass for all students) and RideShare (a student/staff ride sharing program). Additionally, the TRU Sustainability Office website promotes its Green Guide, which details alternative transportation options.
http://trusu.ca/services/upass/
https://www.trurideshare.com/Public/Home.aspx
https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/2014TRUGreenGuide33148.pdf
The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Materials for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Yes
None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
The TRU Sustainability Office has a free bike sharing program (helmets and locks are also available), manages a free bike repair stand and covered bike lock-up shelter, and works with the City of Kamloops to provide free city bike maps.
None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Green Living Guide
Yes
None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The TRU Green Guide has many helpful hints about how to live in a more sustainable way with a focus on student life.
None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Other Outreach Materials
Yes
A brief description of these materials or publications:
TRU Sustainability Office produces and posts many different posters and signs for various sustainability initiatives. Two examples are the mini posters that went up around campus in April 2018 for a lights-out campaign (posted near light switches) and a computer monitors off campaign (posted on the monitors). The two posters read:
"Students, Please turn off lights that are not needed.Doing so reduces the waste of resources, money and energy. Thank you.",
and
"Students, please turn off this monitor when you’re done. Doing so reduces the waste of resources, money and energy. Thank you.".
The website URL for these materials or publications:
Optional Fields
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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.