Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 62.51
Liaison Matthew Williams
Submission Date Jan. 31, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

University of Florida
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Stephanie Sims
Implementation Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
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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 that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:

The Office of Sustainability does maintain its own website where information regarding university goals, sustainability efforts, events and opportunities to be involved, and other related news is cataloged. The website is in the process of being both redesigned in look and restructured in content organization. The key sections will include: Topic based information (Academics and Research, Energy and Climate Change, Food and Dining Services, Land and Resource Management, Service, Outreach and Extension, Engagement, Social Equity and Diversity, Transportation and Zero Waste), Audience based information (resources and opportunities for Staff and Green Teams, for Faculty, and for Students), information about the Office of Sustainability (its mission and history, programs, staff and press). This website exists to provide the campus users, and local, state, regional and national communities, with critical information on the sustainability efforts that are occurring at the operational and policy levels, in addition to educating and engaging those audiences on the topic of sustainability, its importance to the University of Florida, and the ways in which they can participate in transforming the institution.


The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The UF Office of Sustainability newsletter is distributed three times during the fall and spring academic semesters, and twice during the summer term. The newsletter has an opening letter format, in which the office director reviews various accomplishments and updates on the sustainability front, acknowledging key players and partners, and promoting upcoming events and changes to look forward to. Each edition also features a “Faces of Sustainability” segment in which a staff or faculty member of the university is recognized for his or her contributions to sustainability. This not only allows our office to give proper thanks and notoriety for these individual’s efforts, but to also help tell the full story of sustainability, especially of those efforts that happen outside the primary purview of the campus community. The newsletter also contains another feature article, and promotes articles and stories from around campus, the community and the nation that pertain to sustainability at UF.


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=91589ec0b23425e830740140b&id=7d72bc2f55&e=788f6661fd
+ Date Revised: July 11, 2011

Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
No

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

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

UF has had a commitment to LEED buildings since 2001. A part of this commitment includes spreading the word about green features of buildings and educating occupants through signage and building dashboard displays.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

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

Local and sustainable options are highlighted in campus dining halls with information about the certification program and/or the local farmer/business that produced the food item.


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 grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:

Signs throughout campus educate the campus community that reclaimed water is in use for irrigation. In areas of particular interest, such as the Xeriscaped area near Hume Hall and the Green Roof on the Charles Parry Construction Yard, additional signage is deployed.


The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

Green features of campus including LEED certified buildings, ZipCar parking, conservation areas, and recycling locations are included in the "Sustainable Campus" tab of the online campus map. Campus tour guides have talking points about sustainability features, but there is not a specifically designed sustainability walking map or tour.


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
Yes

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

The “Getting From A To B At UF” transportation guide is produced by the Office of Sustainability to highlight the various options available to students, staff and faculty. It provides information in brief on the Zip Car program, the RTS bus system, the Campus Cab, SNAP (an emergency nighttime transportation service), GreenRide (a carpool matching service), Gator Lift (shuttle service for those with mobility related disabilities) and bus services to airports and other destinations around the state. The guide also provides information on the benefits of choosing to bike to walk for more trips in relation to health and the environment. Lastly, the guide highlights the One Less Car Commuter Challenge that the Office of Sustainability hosts every fall to encourage greater use of alternative transportation to single-occupancy vehicle travel, information on how transportation choices fit into the university’s carbon neutrality goal, as well as other helpful links and resources on campus transit modes.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
http://sustainable.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Transportation_Brochure.pdf
+ Date Revised: July 11, 2011

Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

The “Green Guide: A Gator’s Guide to Sustainable Living” is a resource that is distributed to all new dorm residents every fall, and is otherwise available in electronic format on the sustainability site, and promoted at various events and at our student outreach tool, the movable Sustainability Hut. The guide provides comprehensive information and tips for living sustainably at UF, in Gainesville and beyond. The guide contains sections for going green in at home (tips for conserving resources, recycling and proper disposal of waste, and purchasing), a summary of the university’s efforts, academic opportunities relating to sustainability, books and other media resources for expanding sustainability knowledge and engagement, ways to get involved in student and other campus or community organizations, green markets and businesses whose operations reflect and support sustainability, recreational opportunities, volunteer organizations and transportation tips.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
http://sustainable.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/GreenGuide_2010.pdf
+ Date Revised: July 11, 2011

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 regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
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The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

Turning Over a New Leaf: A Guide to Greening UF

The “Turning Over a New Leaf: Guide to Greening UF” is the primary resource for staff and faculty on how to green their office spaces and operations. It is provided to all Green Team captains upon team formation. The guide contains information on the Green Team Network, summaries of university efforts, and tips for energy conservation, water conservation, waste reduction, sustainable purchasing, transportation, and human health and well-being. This document is also provided to all attendees at Green Your Office trainings, offered through the Human Resources department and administered by Office of Sustainability staff, as well as an office audit checklist.


The website URL for this material:
http://sustainable.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Turning_Over_A_New_Leaf.pdf
+ Date Revised: July 11, 2011

Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

Sustainable UF Sustainable Event Planning Guide

This guide is a comprehensive resource for planning green events, both on and off campus. It provides guidance on getting started with the planning process, and outlines what to consider when choosing a venue, promoting the event, purchasing items and contracting services, and other essential logistics. The guide also contains an application and checklist for Green Events Certification.

Not yet posted online-


The website URL for this material:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

Green Team "Guide to Getting Started"

This resource contains four sections, Key Steps for Developing an Office Green Team and Resources, Examples of Efforts and Projects, Draft Communications and Tips for Meeting People Where They Are (effectively communicating with and engaging colleagues and peers). It exists to be a guide for new green team captains on how to approach starting a team and gathering wide office support, as well as for existing captains and teams to consider new strategies for affecting change in the workplace.

Not yet posted online-


The website URL for this material:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

"Chomp down on Energy" campaign brochure and materials

Chomp Down on Energy is the University Of Florida Office Of Sustainability’s behavior change campaign for energy conservation and efficiency. The brochure provides facts and figures about energy use generally and at the University of Florida, and provides tips for conserving energy on campus. This brochure is provided in conjunction with single or double light switch stickers, or cards for over multi-switch plates. The PowerPoint provides an overview of the Chomp Down on Energy program, information regarding energy use at the university, and the ways students, staff and faculty can participate. It aims to be an aid for Green Team captains or other campus organizations to use when encouraging peer or colleague participation in the behavior change campaign.


The website URL for this material:
http://sustainable.ufl.edu/chomp-down-on-energy/
+ Date Revised: July 11, 2011

Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
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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.