| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.01 |
| Liaison | Patrick McKee |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Connecticut
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Richard
Miller Director Office of Envirnmental Policy |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Central Sustainability Website
Yes
A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
The Office of Sustainability maintains a website that consolidates information on campus sustainability initiatives. The website highlights sustainability in the University news, social media, environmental policy updates, the Climate Action Plan, water conservation, energy projects, sustainable design guidelines, recycling, transportation, environmental literacy, and current and past sustainability events and initiatives. Additionally, the EcoHusky Student Group website (https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/ecohusky-student-group/) contains information directed towards students, such as sustainability efforts by students, a short list of classes with sustainability content, and information for getting involved with sustainability initiatives.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Sustainability Newsletter
Yes
None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Sustainability Newsletter highlights major sustainability updates, events, and milestones for the preceding semester. It is published by the Office of Sustainability at the end of the spring and fall semesters.
None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Social Media Platforms
Yes
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The Office of Sustainability uses Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to promote campus sustainability initiatives and events and increase environmental awareness.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UConnOS/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UConnOS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uconnos/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8235622/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcKDGkYsBk87fWRns8UvPKg
The Office of Sustainability also releases blog posts about current sustainability events and initiatives.
https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/blog/
The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
Student Newspaper Coverage
Yes
A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
The Daily Campus, the largest student run newspaper on campus, assigns one or two "environmental/sustainability beat" reporters every semester to focus regular articles on these topics. Examples include:
http://dailycampus.com/stories/2018/2/6/uconn-senate-passes-environmental-general-education-requirement
http://dailycampus.com/stories/2018/2/2/environmental-awareness-the-focus-of-spring-semester-metanoia?rq=metanoia
https://dailycampus.com/stories/2019/9/19/students-strike-for-action-on-climate-change?rq=strike
https://dailycampus.com/stories/2018/10/29/environmental-leaders-call-on-presidential-search-committee-to-choose-sustainability-focused-president?rq=environment
UConn Today publishes articles through its column “Sustainable UConn,” which can also be found on their website with the tag "sustainability." The column covers sustainability events, new green initiatives, and environmental research.
Example Article:
https://today.uconn.edu/2019/04/focus-sustainability-uconns-spring-fling/
The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
Student Research Publication
Yes
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The Frontiers in Undergraduate Research poster conference is held every spring and is the main vehicle allowing all student researchers to present their research, and always contains projects related to sustainability.
http://ugradresearch.uconn.edu/frontiers-in-undergraduate-research/
The CESE (Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering) database consolidates research related to climate change impact, mitigation, and adaptation, by both faculty and students. It includes research that covers alternative energy, biodiversity, climate change, environmental responsibility, human health and behavior, environmental technology, and pollution.
http://www.cese.uconn.edu/research.html
The STEMTalk Magazine, is a student-run magazine on campus that reports on current news, opinions, research, and opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, providing the opportunity for students to disseminate and publish research findings that are related to sustainability. https://www.facebook.com/UCONNSTEMTalk/ http://dailycampus.com/stories/2017/2/24/magazine-launches-for-stem-news
Additionally, the C2E2 group provides lists of publications related to clean energy advancements made by faculty and student teams at UConn.
http://www.energy.uconn.edu/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 :
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
In 2014-15, UConn installed “dashboards” in several of its LEED-certified buildings. For several years, these provided data about the energy and water usage of the buildings and also highlighted the buildings’ green features, such as bioretention basins and sustainably-sourced building materials.
In 2017, the two largest of these dashboards, located in the lobbies of two highest traffic classroom buildings, which are both LEED Gold certified, were converted into environmental and sustainability-related digital posters. They now feature continuously scrolling slideshows with sustainability news and event information, plus descriptions and photos of green campus and green building features. OS purchased the monitors using a Foundation account (Green Campus Fund), and its sustainability staff and interns regularly maintain and update these monitors.
UConn offers an on-line virtual Green Campus Tour available from the OS website. LEED Silver or Gold plaques are hung on the walls of certified buildings.
In 2016-17 UConn's sign committee approved the placement of nearly two dozen signs located in LID or green stormwater infrastructure features located either as green roofs or nearby, as part of the building project (e.g., PICP, bioretention basins) and throughout campus. Most of these signs were installed by the end of 2017 and are relatively low profile with concise educational information about the benefits of particular types of LID.
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:
The Dining Services website houses information on sustainable food initiatives, including 10 reasons to buy local food, monthly newsletters, Spring Valley Student Farm, Dining Service Apiaries, and UConn’s Real Slow Food initiatives.
The Department of Dining Services recently sourcing all of its fish from Red's Best, a local fishing company. https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/2016/01/07/reds-best-sustainable-fish-at-uconn/
Following the Food Waste study EcoHusky did in conjunction with the Dining Services, posters have been put up in UConn's North Dining Hall that provide infographics of the results from the study and information about smarter eating habits. The posters have since been transferred to digital displays in all eight of UConn's dining halls.
Additionally, as part of its responsibilities as a federal land grant University, UConn maintains public access to grass fed dairy and beef operations, with signage explaining the programs and sustainable design of the building enclosures where applicable.
None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Sustainable Grounds Signage
Yes
A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
The Hillside Environmental Education Park (HEEP), UConn’s former landfill site now a 165-acre nature preserve located on our north campus has interpretive signage located along its three miles of hiking trails.
The campus arboretum has tags on 40 specimen trees located throughout campus. These tags name the tree by species and common name and correspond to an on-line and hard copy campus arboretum walking guide, which has even more information about each tree.
In 2016-17 UConn's sign committee approved the placement of nearly two dozen signs located in LID or green stormwater infrastructure features, such as green roofs, rain gardens, PICP, and bioretention basins, throughout campus. Most of these signs were installed by the end of 2017 and are relatively low profile with concise educational information about the benefits of particular types of LID.
UConn also has both grass-fed beef cattle and dairy barns on Horsebarn Hill with educational signage.
Information about Low Impact Development signage can be found here:
https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/low-impact-development/
The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Sustainable Walking Map or Tour
Yes
None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
UConn’s online sustainability map provides a tour of the sustainability features on campus, including rain gardens, compost facility, and pervious pavement.
http://s.uconn.edu/lidmap
https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/energy-dashboards-and-green-campus-tour/
UConn also provides a guide that highlights 40 of the hundreds of varieties of trees on campus, for “a self-guided tour visiting trees of special interest.” The UConn Storrs campus is recognized as a living arboretum of historic interest, including outstanding specimens of rarity, importance, or advanced age. The walking tour highlights these features:
http://www.uconnarboretum.uconn.edu/content/TREE_GUIDE_CAMPUS_WALK.pdf
Additionally, there is a Low-Impact Development (LID) walking tour designed by the Natural Resources Conservation Academy (a program for high school students that is put on by UConn faculty and grad students in the NRE department)
https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2041/2017/01/Development-LID-LID-tour.pdf
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:
Since the fall of 2017, UConn has participated in the U-Pass CT program, which allows current UConn students the ability to receive unlimited rides within Connecticut on local & express buses, CTfastrak, Shore Line East, and intrastate New Haven Line services. This service can be used daily on weekdays and weekends, including holidays.
https://transpo.uconn.edu/u-pass-ct/
There are also nine different bus shuttles utilized to transport students around campus, which decreases the need for cars driving around campus.
In addition, there is a shuttle service for students and faculty to take from the Storrs campus to the UConn Health Center in Farmington.
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:
UConn’s bike sharing program UConn Cycle share allows students, faculty, and staff to borrow a bike using a UConn ID. The UConn Cycles’ website describes safety tips for bicyclists and the UConn Police Department has a website that covers pedestrian and bike safety. The campus has pavement markings that indicate bike lanes.
http://recreation.uconn.edu/programs/cycle-share/
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:
UConn provides guides on incorporating sustainability into the residential experience by providing resources to resident assistants who can disseminate the information among their students. The following PDFs can be converted into bulletin board notices to hang up in dorm hallways and common areas, and contain information suitable for dissemination to students in dorms, apartments, or in general.
https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2041/2017/02/Engagement-EcoMadness-Save-Energy.pdf
https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2041/2017/02/Engagement-EcoMadness-Water-Conservation-Poster.pdf
All first and second year resident students also receive a Sustainability Activity book upon moving in which contains information on sustainability initiatives on campus and ways to live more sustainably on and off campus: https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/sustainability-activity-book/
In addition, material is available to RAs and other members of campus through the EcoMadness engagement page: https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/ra-resources/
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:
The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Extension is housed at the Storrs Campus, which produces newsletters, youth programs, homeowner extension materials, agricultural extension materials, and resource use materials for the University, surrounding communities, and state.
For example, this is the publication on Water Quality and the Home Landscape: http://www.sustainability.uconn.edu/factsheets.html
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.