Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.81
Liaison Christa Rieck
Submission Date Jan. 4, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Houston
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Central Sustainability Website 

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 (optional):
The sustainability website is managed by Office of Sustainability staff and includes information about the staff, campus initiatives, relevant news, academics, research, and more. The home page banners are updated regularly with upcoming events.

The website URL for the central sustainability website:
http://www.uh.edu/sustainability

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The UH sustainability newsletter, called the Sustainable Coog, was relaunched in Fall 2014 as a monthly online publication and is sent to faculty, staff, students, alumni and others interested in sustainability at UH and in general.

None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
http://www.uh.edu/sustainablecoog

Social Media Platforms 

Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The University of Houston Office of Sustainability manages several social media platforms to encourage sustainable behavior, publish UH sustainability successes, promote local and campus events, and posts relevant sustainability news (local, regional and global). Social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
http://www.facebook.com/uhsustain

Student Newspaper Coverage 

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 the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
Sustainability is consistently covered in the Cougar, UH's student-run newspaper. However, there is not a regular column or reporter assigned a sustainability beat. Instead, sustainability is included regularly in several columns and by several reporters.

The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
http://thedailycougar.com/?s=sustainability

Student Research Publication 

Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Student research projects are included on social media, the sustainability newsletter and blog.

None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
http://uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/news/newsletter/

Green Building Signage 

Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
The Cougar Woods dining hall is LEED Silver certified. Digital screens in the facility highlight the green building features. Additionally, the university uses digital signage throughout the buildings on campus to disseminate information to students. All marketing departments are encouraged to use digital signage over printed material.

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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Sustainable Food Systems Information 

Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Sustainable food system information is included in both campus dining halls on digital screens and printed handouts. Examples of sustainable food system information that's incorporated in the dining halls can be found on the UH dining sustainability web page.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
https://dineoncampus.com/uh/sustainability

Sustainable Grounds Signage 

Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
The UH Pocket Prairie "Shasta's Prairie" sign highlights the benefits of restoring native prairie grasses for sustainable grounds keeping practices along with plans to incorporate this practice into additional campus areas.

The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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Sustainable Walking Map or Tour 

Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
No

None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
---

None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
---

Guide for Commuters 

Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
The University of Houston parking website includes a webpage with all of the alternative methods of transportation to access the university (with the exception of university organized carpools and biking information).

The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
http://www.uh.edu/parking/transportation-options/

Materials for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
The Office of Sustainability publishes biking information through the departments website including how to get discounted bike share membership, pre-made routes to navigate the city and much more. Additionally, the office shares information with www.sharetheroadtexas.org.

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/bike/

Green Living Guide 

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

None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Office of Sustainability hosts a page on the sustainability website specifically for sustainable living. This website is marketed to everyone on campus, not just UH residents, so they can incorporate these practices wherever they live. Additionally, the information listed on the sustainable living website is incorporated in the standard presentation given to groups on campus. A printed guide was initially planned but the office decided to print a bookmark instead to practice what we preach. The bookmark listed 5 sustainable living tips and included the link for more information.

None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
http://www.uh.edu/sustainability/sustainable-living/

Other Outreach Materials 

Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
No

A brief description of these materials or publications:
---

The website URL for these materials or publications:
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Optional Fields 

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.