| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.01 |
| Liaison | Patrick McKee |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Connecticut
EN-5: Outreach Campaign
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Richard
Miller Director Office of Envirnmental Policy |
Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at students and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability? :
Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at employees and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Name of the campaign:
A brief description of the campaign, including how students and/or employees were engaged:
EcoMadness is a month long energy and water conservation competition. Each participating building has a designated “EcoCaptain”, a student volunteer, who audits weekly recycling behavior in their respective dorm. Additionally, each participating building has its own meter which measures the amount of water (in gallons) and the amount of energy (in kilowatt-hours) per day. These numbers are divided by the number of students in the building so we can find the energy and water usage per capita in each dorm. The dorm standings will be updated at least once a week during the competition so that everyone can keep track of the progress they are making. At the end of the month long period, winners are announced based on who had the largest improvement in recycling behavior, energy conservation, and water conservation.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign:
A recent EcoMadness winner results summary: The dorm that won water use reduction reduced water by 39% during the competition. The dorm that won energy use reduction reduced energy use by 22%. The dorm that won recycling demonstrated 90% compliance with waste and recycling guidelines.
The website URL where information about the campaign is available:
Name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
A brief description of the campaign, including how students and/or employees were engaged (2nd campaign):
Green Game Days are some of our largest outreach events on campus. Every year, for one football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball game, the Office of Sustainability partners with UConn Athletics/Athletics Marketing to promote environmental stewardship at sporting events, particularly with regards to recycling. Recycling returns from each event go to EcoHusky or the Campus Sustainability Fund to promote sustainability on campus. Volunteers from EcoHusky, EcoHouse, and other organizations work with interns from the Office of Sustainability to promote recycling through give-aways, signs, handouts and friendly reminders at Green Game Days. The Athletics Department announces the Green Game Day effort with loud speakers and uses the large center-screen to promote the cause as well.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):
The outreach from Green Game Days is seen by the thousands of fans who attend these events. Also, the football Green Game Days have had recycling volumes exceeding 1 ton.
In addition, Basketball Green Game Days are carbon-free with carbon offsets purchased in equal amount of the emissions attributed to energy use during the games. More information on the events can be found here: https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/2017/02/27/first-ever-carbon-free-uconn-basketball-games/
More information on Green Game Days can be found here: https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/green-game-day/
The website URL where information about the campaign is available (2nd campaign):
A brief description of other sustainability-related outreach campaigns, including measured positive impacts:
Earth Day Spring Fling (EDSF) is our largest campus sustainability event where we invite eco-friendly vendors and campus groups to table in the center of campus. There is food, music, and plenty of awareness outreach. We also partner with Dining Services who provides local food options (including vegetarian and vegan meals) and uses reusable or compostable dishware to make EDSF a low waste event.
More information can be found here: https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/earth-day-spring-fling/
The Green Office Certification Program (GOCP) is an ongoing outreach campaign which supports offices across campus in adopting sustainable everyday business practices. There are currently 93 certified "Green Offices" and counting. More information can be found here: https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/green-office-certification-program/
The Recycling Bags Program is a collaboration between the Office of Sustainability, Residential Life, and Facilities Operations to issue reusable cloth "recycling bags" to all first and second year resident students to help them convey recyclables to to central waste areas in their respective halls. Each bag features guidance on proper recycling guidelines and promotes the Office of Sustainability. Within each bag, a Sustainability Activity Book containing information about UConn's sustainability initiatives, educational activities like a sustainability cross word puzzle and word search, information about LEED buildings, and climate change, a recycling matching game, and guidance on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. The Sustainability Activity book was also distributed at outreach and tabling events throughout the school year and is available online for download at: https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/sustainability-activity-book/
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.