Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.12
Liaison Matthew Williams
Submission Date June 30, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Florida
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Allison Vitt
Outreach & Communications Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution produce the following outreach materials and/or publications that foster sustainability learning and knowledge? :
Yes or No
A central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution’s sustainability efforts Yes
A sustainability newsletter Yes
Social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability Yes
A vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability No
Building signage that highlights green building features Yes
Food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems Yes
Signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed Yes
A sustainability walking map or tour No
A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation Yes
Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians Yes
A guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience No
Regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat No
Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website:

The Office of Sustainability maintains its own website where information regarding university goals, sustainability efforts, events and opportunities to be involved, and other related news is cataloged. Over the last year, the website was redesigned and restructured in order to provide greater ease-of-use and a more appealing aesthetic. The key sections 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 involvement opportunities for staff, Green Teams, faculty, students and the community-at-large); information about the Office of Sustainability (its mission and history, programs, staff and press). This website exists to provide campus users - as well as 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:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The UF Office of Sustainability e-newsletter is distributed weekly during the fall and spring academic semesters, and bi-weekly during the summer term. The newsletter is designed to be a vehicle for information on recent announcements and news, upcoming events, opportunities for volunteering or involvement, and internship and job postings. In addition to providing information about the Office of Sustainability and its programs, the newsletter also serves as an outreach tool to promote partnering organizations or departments on campus and in the community, as well as to promote job openings, conferences, internships and other opportunities across the country and internationally. The newsletter reaches an audience of nearly 4,000 people who are self-subscribed to receive the e-mails. The newsletter content is housed on our website, along with an archive of past issues.


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:

Office of Sustainability maintains Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Snapchat and Vine accounts focused on highlighting sustainable practices on campus, events related to sustainability, and programs designed to promote sustainable living and to engage students, staff, faculty and community members.


The website URL of the primary social media platform that focuses on sustainability:
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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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 :
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 items.


The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:

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


The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
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A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:

A comprehensive transportation guide is produced by the Office of Sustainability each year to highlight the various options available to students, staff and faculty. It provides information in brief on the Gator Gears Student Bike Rental Program, the Zipcar program, the Regional Transit System bus program, Campus Cab, SNAP (an emergency nighttime transportation service), Zimride (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 or walk in relation to health and 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:
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

In 2015, with the launch of the Gator Gears Bike Rental Program, UF also established a website for information on cycling. This site includes details about bike safety, bike laws, community bike programs and infrastructure, campus bike programs (such as Gator Gears and the Departmental Bike Share Program), and other related resources such as biking news, health information and more.


The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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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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A brief description of another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above (1st material):

In 2015, the Office of Sustainability developed a brochure specifically targeting faculty members new to campus. This guide offers information on academic inclusion of sustainability topics, ways to engage with sustainability efforts on campus (such as through the Sustainability Committee and the Gator Community Supported Agriculture Program), and information on sustainable commuting options and electric vehicle charging stations. The guide also includes information on the Green Office Certification Program, which is designed to help offices and labs take steps towards sustainable operations and to recognize those that have made significant strides in their efforts to 'green' their operations.


The website URL for this material (1st material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (2nd 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.


The website URL for this material (2nd material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
No

A brief description of this material (3rd material):
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The website URL for this material (3rd material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
No

A brief description of this material (4th material):
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The website URL for this material (4th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
No

A brief description of this material (5th material):
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The website URL for this material (5th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
No

A brief description of this material (6th material):
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The website URL for this material (6th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
No

A brief description of this material (7th material):
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The website URL for this material (7th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
No

A brief description of this material (8th material):
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The website URL for this material (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.