| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.80 |
| Liaison | Breeana Sylvas |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of California, Merced
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Breeana
Sylvas Assistant Director 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 central sustainability website at UC Merced includes information on teaching and research, green building, food, procurement, energy and water usage, waste and recycling, transportation. The website acts as a repository for sustainability-related information and communication for all aspects of the university.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The sustainability newsletter highlights UC Merced sustainability programs, initiatives and events. It is distributed bi-annually to campus community subscribers.
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:
UC Merced has both a Sustainability Twitter and Facebook page that promotes awareness of campus sustainability initiatives. The campus also has a community garden facebook page.
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:
Each year UC Merced highlights faculty, students and staff research through Research Week. The week-long event includes presentations, workshops and speakers by all three groups involved in research projects. Undergraduate and graduate students research is presented through poster sessions, including competitions. Because UC Merced’s main research theme, outlined in its Strategic Academic Vision is sustainability, many of the research projects highlighted during Research Week are related to sustainability.
UC Merced Pananorama also highlights research, movements and events related to many topics, including sustainability. (panorama.ucmerced.edu )
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 :
All LEED-certified buildings on campus display plaques that highlight the LEED certification level of the building and explain UC Merced's Triple Zero Pledge. The plaques also feature sustainability highlights of the building.
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:
UC Merced provides Ozzi to-go which allows students to take reusable to-go containers and return them in a collection machine. Each machine has signage that describes the environmental and economic benefit to the user and the campus.
The Bobcat Eats Pilot Program also developed brochures that highlight what food is in season and what food is being used in the dining commons. The brochure also features the nutrient content of various foods.
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:
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:
In academic year 2017-2018 the office of sustainability engaged UC Merced's Engineering Services Learning Program to establish a course focused on engaging students in the development of a map that highlights UC Merced's campus sustainability features.
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:
UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) has a website that lists and explains the alternative methods of transportation available on campus, including the institution's CatTracks shuttle, the city of Merced's bus system, UC Merced's Zimride program to find carpool partners, and the Zipcar share 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:
Transportation and Parking Services provides links and resources for bicycle safety, routes, and cyclist networks at UC Merced, and in the Merced community via their website. This information includes helpful tips, maps, bicycle registration with the police department, and a link to the Merced bike coalition.
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 institution has a green living guide that highlights information on all green transportation options available for students, green eating, waste management, and sustainable practices that students can incorporate into their daily lives.
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:
UC Merced Sustainability has a presence on Facebook, and Twitter. The campus community garden also has a presence on Facebook, and is a platform used to provide educational material on gardening.
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.