University of Mary Washington
EN-1: Outreach and Communications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Brenda
Togo Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Services |
1.1 Sustainability outreach and communications
Website URL of the institution’s central sustainability website:
Does the institution integrate sustainability information into the educational offerings or materials provided during new student orientation or the equivalent?:
Narrative outlining how sustainability information is integrated into new student orientation or the equivalent:
UMW hosts events such as the Student Resource and Wellness Fair during orientation, where campus offices and community organizations provide information on services available to students. It's likely that sustainability-related resources and programs are featured during these events, offering new students’ opportunities to engage with UMW's sustainability efforts.
At the University of Mary Washington (UMW), sustainability is an integral part of the student experience, and efforts are made to introduce new students to the university’s sustainability initiatives from the very beginning of their academic journey. Through orientation programs, educational materials, and engagement opportunities, UMW ensures that incoming students are informed about the university’s commitment to sustainability and how they can actively contribute to environmental stewardship on campus.
Does the institution integrate sustainability information into the educational offerings or materials provided during new employee orientation or the equivalent?:
Narrative outlining how sustainability information is integrated into new employee orientation of the equivalent:
Does the institution have dashboards and/or signage highlighting the institution’s sustainability features or performance?:
Description of the institution’s sustainability dashboards and/or signage:
The University of Mary Washington (UMW) actively promotes sustainability through various initiatives and educational efforts. While specific dashboards detailing the institution's sustainability performance are not mentioned in the available resources, UMW enhances awareness through educational signage and dedicated online platforms.
Educational Signage:
Pollinator Gardens: UMW maintains pollinator gardens behind the Anderson Center and adjacent to Goolrick Hall. These gardens feature educational signage and bee hotels, educating the community about the importance of protecting local pollinators.
SUSTAINABILITY.UMW.EDU
No-Mow Zones: Located near Jepson Science Center and Woodard Hall, these areas include signage explaining their role in supporting native flora and fauna, reducing soil erosion, and minimizing the need for gas-powered landscaping.
SUSTAINABILITY.UMW.EDU
Does the institution manage a sustainability-focused social media account, newsletter, blog, online community, podcast, video series, or equivalent communications medium or platform?:
Description of and/or website URL for at least one sustainability-focused communication medium or platform:
Social Media Presence: UMW Sustainability maintains an active Facebook and Instagram account (@umwsustainability), sharing updates, events, and tips related to sustainability efforts on campus.
Has the institution coordinated one or more sustainability-focused outreach campaigns during the previous three years?:
Description of sustainability-focused outreach campaigns from the previous three years:
Over the past three years, the University of Mary Washington (UMW) has led several sustainability-focused outreach campaigns to promote environmental awareness on campus. Key initiatives include:
Earth Day Festival: Annual event with environmental organizations, vendors, and educational activities.
Campus Race to Zero Waste: National competition to encourage waste reduction and recycling.
March Pollinator Month: Month-long campaign raising awareness about pollinators and promoting pollinator-friendly habitats.
Tree Festival: Celebrates urban forestry with tree plantings and educational sessions.
Trick or Trash Program: Recycles Halloween candy wrappers to reduce plastic waste.
Recycling Audits: Assess campus recycling efforts and improve waste diversion.
These campaigns involve collaboration between the President’s Council on Sustainability, student organizations, and university departments to foster environmental responsibility.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
1.2 Percentage of campus stakeholders reached through sustainability outreach and communications
Percentage of campus stakeholders reached through sustainability outreach and communications:
Approach used to determine the percentage of campus stakeholders reached:
Description of the methodology used to determine the reach of the institution’s sustainability outreach and communications:
The institution uses a combination of attendance tracking, survey data, and digital analytics to determine the percentage of campus stakeholders reached through sustainability initiatives. Event participation is recorded through sign-in sheets, digital registration platforms, and engagement tracking tools. Surveys are distributed post-events and during campaigns to capture feedback and measure awareness levels. Additionally, digital outreach efforts are assessed using analytics from email campaigns, social media platforms, and the university’s sustainability website to gauge reach and engagement.
The institution uses a multi-method approach to measure the reach of its sustainability outreach and communications. This includes surveys, event attendance records, digital analytics (website, social media, and email engagement), and campus communication metrics. Collected data is consolidated and compared to the total campus population to determine overall reach and improve outreach strategies.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
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.