Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 75.41
Liaison Marianne Martin
Submission Date March 23, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Colorado Boulder
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Marianne Martin
Associate Director
Environmental Center
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 sustainability website is linked on the front page of the colorado.edu website because it is a priority on our campus. On the website, users can find information about sustainability initiatives on campus; operations, engagement, legacy and academic opportunities, as well as detailing our historic commitment to leadership in best practices and sustainability.

The Environmental Center website also details information about our recycling, biking, and climate justice programs. Additionally, the Environmental Center website acts as an interface for upcoming events with a calendar of local sustainability events.
http://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The monthly Environmental Center newsletter reaches more than 5000 people. It typically includes upcoming events, environmental news on campus and highlights new articles on our blog.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:

The Environmental Center utilizes Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to promote events and share news related to sustainability. There is a Vimeo account which has videos that showcase green initiatives on campus. The Environmental Center Blog is written by mostly students. University of Colorado Boulder social media accounts repost sustainability items.

https://www.facebook.com/CUBoulderECenter
https://twitter.com/EcenterCU
http://ecenterblog.blogspot.com/
https://vimeo.com/cuecenter


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:

The EC contributes a monthly column “Down to Earth” in Colorado Daily.
CU Independent provides coverage (not necessariliy regular) of sustainability programs, CUSG initiatives and divestment campaigns. https://cuindependent.com/
The university's home website contains a series of campus stories that constantly scroll from one story to the next.
University Communications includes a sustainability story as part of the scrolling stories in addition to highlights and links to additional sustainability stories.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:

Environmental Studies go green listserv/ newsletter and CU sustainability portal academics and research section.
http://www.colorado.edu/envs/research
http://www.colorado.edu/envs/news-events/events/colloquium-series
RIO (Research and Innovation Office) hosted Sustainability Research Blitz: https://www.colorado.edu/today/2018/02/23/sustainability-research-blitz-offers-lightning-round-research-presentations-opportunities
RIO bi weekly and monthly newsletters: https://www.colorado.edu/researchinnovation/news-events


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?:
Yes

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

All LEED certified buildings prominently display their LEED placards. Village Center (new dining center in WV) has it’s LEED placard displayed as well as 22 placards placed around the building in high traffic areas describing visible LEED features to increase the visibility of green design in the buildings.

Additional buildings also have signage on specific features.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

The UMC and HDS dining halls contain such signage. Napkin dispensers on each table have a conservation/ sustainability message. UMC cafeteria has prompts for using reusable and compostable eatingware. Displayed menu selections indicate if featured entree contains local, organic or natural. There are prominent signs throughout dining units about sustainable food principles and food waste reduction.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:

Grounds have signage about chemical free turf (10) and use of ditch water for irrigation (10). Both types of signs are at different major campus entry-points for a total of 20 distinct locations. Additionally, dedicated pollinator landscapes have signs (4).


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The CU Environmental Center offers sustainability walking tours during the fall semester to showcase the unique green features of the campus to students, visitors, and curious community members. These tours are led by students. There is also an interactive sustainability map online, which links locations with descriptions and ways to get involved. Finally, on the Environmental Center’s Vimeo page, there is a short video tour of campus sustainability features.
The main campus map has a new platform. One of the information layers includes bus, bike and carshare locations. More information layers specific to sustainability may be added in the near future.
http://www.colorado.edu/today/2017/07/27/new-campus-map-takes-wayfinding-next-level
http://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/campus-sustainability-map


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?:
Yes

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

The Environmental Center distributes bike maps, bus maps, and Ski Bus schedules.


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:

There are two bike stations on campus that provide bike maps of Boulder. The website also gives educational resources for both bikes and pedestrians.
The City of Boulder and the CU campus have an advanced network of bicycle and multi-use paths.
Boulder is a special place for bicyclists. With more than 300 days of sunshine, more than 300 miles of dedicated bikeways, and an active culture that nurtures it, biking is one of the best ways to get around Boulder. Of course, our bike-friendly community didn't happen by chance; it is the result of decades of community efforts and thoughtful planning.
The City of Boulder's dedicated bikeways include on-street bike lanes, contra-flow bike lanes, designated bike routes, paved shoulders, multi-use paths and soft-surface paths.
We direct campus users to online maps: https://bouldercolorado.gov/transportation/maps-of-boulders-transportation-system and maintain a supply of printed transportation maps.


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:

Green Room Certification Program is made available in all residence halls
CU Boulder living sustainability tab (linked above) describes programs and features provided within the residence halls.


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:

"CU Boulder Today" is the campus news digest with an edition for both students and faculty/staff. There is a monthly ecotip distributed campus wide via the CU Boulder Today and subscribers of CU Buffs Live Green.


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.