| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.36 |
| Liaison | Matthew Williams |
| Submission Date | Dec. 4, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Florida
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Hannah
Ulloa Digital Content Manager Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
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:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The UF Office of Sustainability e-newsletter is distributed bi-weekly during the fall and spring academic semesters, and monthly 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:
Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
Office of Sustainability maintains Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and Snapchat 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 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?:
A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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?:
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 signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the 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:
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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 the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable 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 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)? :
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
UF has established a website for information on cycling that includes details about bike safety, bike laws, community bike programs and infrastructure, campus bike programs (such as the Gator Gears Student Bike Rental program 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:
Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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?:
A brief description of these materials or publications:
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.
In 2016, the UF Office of Sustainability developed outreach materials specifically targeting UF employees in regards to the Neutral UF Coalition program. The materials outline the program and the way that employees can enroll or be involved.
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.