Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.41
Liaison David Tedder
Submission Date Sept. 30, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Kentucky
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Shane Tedder
Sustainability 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 (optional):

Clearing house for all sustainability-related activities of the University. Administer by the UK Office of Sustainability.


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The Office of Sustainability has developed an E-News service for campus and community members who are interested in receiving updates about sustainability related initiatives, programs and events at the University of Kentucky. It is our goal to distribute the monthly e-news on the first Wednesday of each month. If you have news, photos or events that you would like to have included please contact Shane Tedder at shane.tedder@uky.edu.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:

UK Office of Sustainability maintains 3 social media platforms (FB, Twitter, Instagram), the Student Sustainability Council, the Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library, Campus Kitchens, and a long list of other campus organizations also use social media to promote sustainability.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:

Every Friday, a student with an interest in sustainability issues will publish a column on the student newspaper editorial section. This column is called Environmental Fridays.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:

The University has an annual undergraduate research showcase as well as the TFISE research showcase and Sustainabilty-focused summer research and creativity fellowships for undergraduates. Participants in all three of these initiatives are systematically encouraged to submit their work to Kaleidoscope, a refereed journal published annually by the Office of Undergraduate Education of the University of Kentucky.


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 :

LEED-buildings have their plaques featured prominently on both inside and outside walls. Additional information about high performance and innovative building features are also posted in individual cases.


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?:
Yes

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

Information about the sources of local ingredients as well as operational efforts to promote sustainability are integrated in the outreach and communication efforts of UK Dining.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:

Select storm water quality infrastructure is accompanied by informational signage. Sustainability is a core component of the campus landscape guidelines however to reduce visual clutter, outreach about these efforts is done via other channels.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The genesis of the Campus Tree Walk project stems from a cross-disciplinary interest in preventative medicine. These walks exist to facilitate both stress reduction and mindfulness. Walks and other resources are available. There are guided walks online as well as a weekly guided nature meditation near the UK Hospital in the warmer months.


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?:
Yes

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

UK Transportation Services provides shuttles to and from the airport and has recently opened a bike room in a new research building on campus. There is also a bicycle voucher program which annually awards $400 in vouchers valid at participating local bike shops to eligible students and employees in exchange for an agreement to forgo a motor vehicle parking permit for two years. All students and employees are able utilize the city buses free of charge.


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)? :
Yes

A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

UK Transportation Services supports a Bicycling Advisory Committee and a Pedestrian Advisory Committee that develop and distribute resources for cyclist and pedestrians.


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?:
No

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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Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:

UK Public Relations has a beat reporter assigned to sustainability. They meet on a bi-weekly basis with UK Sustainability Coordinator and work together to publish several sustainability-focused pieces per month.


The website URL for these materials or publications:
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.