| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.35 |
| Liaison | Christa Rieck |
| Submission Date | Nov. 23, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Houston
EN-5: Outreach Campaign
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign directed at students within the previous three years that has yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign directed at employees within the previous three years that has yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
The name of the campaign (1st campaign):
A brief description of the campaign (1st campaign):
Cougar First Impressions (CFI) is sponsored by Staff Council and offers students a chance to receive campus maps, directions to class, and reusable water pouches from UH staff members stationed across campus during the first two days of the Fall semester. Though the event is targeted to students, it's an important event for employees to serve as leaders.
In Fall 2014, Cougar First Impressions stopped handing out single-use water bottles to students and instead gave out reusable BPA-free collapsible water bottles. Employees were also directly impacted by the new efforts to eliminate plastic water bottles. All staff volunteers also used reusable bottles and faculty and staff stopped by the tents as well for water.
In Fall 2015, the Office of Sustainability hosted a social engagement competition that coincided with CFI called #BYOBottle. Faculty, staff and students were encouraged to bring their reusable bottles to campus, take a photo, and post it to Twitter or Instagram with #BYOBottle.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (1st campaign):
In 2014, 15,000 reusable water bottles were given to staff volunteers and students.
In 2015, over 50 people participated in the #BYOBottle social media campaign and posted photos with their reusable bottles. This campaign led to another campaign spearheaded by student government to partner with TDECU stadium management. As a result of their efforts, the stadium now allows reusable water bottles and additional water pouches left over CFI will be given away at the games to reduce waste.
The website URL where information about the campaign is available (1st campaign):
The name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
A brief description of the campaign (2nd campaign):
Every Spring, the University of Houston participates in RecycleMania to encourage sustainable behavior, increase recycling rates on campus and reduce consumption of single use products. Students, faculty and staff participate in team competitions; past on-campus competitions have included actual weight recycled, awareness campaigns and outreach events. The full engagement efforts are listed at uh.edu/recyclemania.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):
In 2013, UH topped Texas in the gorilla category, which recognizes schools that recycle the highest combined gross tonnage of recycling collecting over 471,300 pounds of material. The overall recycling rate was 31% higher than any previous year for the University of Houston.
In 2015, UH received recognition from InnerView for their engagement efforts during RecycleMania. Competitions were hosted and the Office of Sustainability is currently working with the competition winners in the College of Optometry to improve waste minimization.
The website URL where information about the campaign is available (2nd campaign):
A brief description of other outreach campaigns, including measured positive impacts:
Cleanup Day is a high-impact, low-cost volunteer event that brings the entire UH community together to refresh and renew our campus before the start of the fall semester. UH faculty, staff, students and alumni help Facilities Management and the Office of Sustainability beautify the campus. http://www.uh.edu/af-auxiliary-services/sustainability/news/articles/2014/august/08142014-cleanupday.php
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.