| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 77.34 |
| Liaison | Sally DeLeon |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2022 |
University of Maryland, College Park
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Tanvi
Gadhia Outreach Coordinator Environmental Safety, Sustainability, and Risk |
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution’s sustainability efforts?:
Website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter or social media platform that focuses specifically on campus sustainability?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter or social media platform:
About once every two or three weeks, the Office of Sustainability sends an e-newsletter containing news, events, internships, tips and other announcements related to sustainability.
The University of Maryland operates an Instagram account (@sustainableUMD) that shares information regarding the university’s efforts to be sustainable and raise awareness of being more sustainable. The University also has a Facebook page to help spread information regarding sustainability efforts. It can be accessed at: http://www.facebook.com/SustainableUMD.
There are also accounts for YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableumd) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/sustainableumd?lang=en).
Does the institution have signage that highlights sustainability features on campus?:
A brief description of the signage that highlights sustainability features on campus:
The student Sustainability Fund established a dedicated fund to create signs, videos and other outreach materials that highlight sustainability features on campus. Signage about bio-retention ponds, bioswales, community gardens, and other sustainable grounds-keeping strategies are posted around campus. At the Peace and Friendship garden there is a sign about a solar-pumping station that was installed for irrigation and funded by the University Sustainability Fund. Other examples include the Washington Quad rainwater harvesting system, the UMD Apiary, the green facade on the Animal Sciences building, and other projects.
Does the institution provide a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Facilities Management at UMD created an online interactive map that visitors to the university can use as a walking map or tour of campus sustainability locations and projects. If you click on the Layers section of the map you can select the Sustainability layer to view campus water bottle filling stations, compost collection stations, renewable energy generation, electric vehicle charging stations, University Sustainability Fund projects, green roofs, and LEED buildings.
https://maps.umd.edu/map/
The Office of Sustainability has worked with project partners around campus to develop a number of signs highlighting projects that are part of a campus sustainability tour. Signage that highlights the benefits of a green roof is posted outside of a residence hall with a full green roof (Cumberland Hall). Both of the first campus-owned LEED Gold certified buildings--the School of Journalism (Knight Hall) and a new residence hall (Oakland Hall)--have interactive displays about green features of the buildings inside their entry ways. There is also signage about rainwater capture in landscaped areas including a park-like quad surrounded by residence halls (Washington Quad), which is irrigated using water from an underground rainwater cistern.
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/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Department of Resident Life posts a Guide to Sustainable Living in Residence Halls online that provides tips on how to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Visit: http://www.resnet.umd.edu/sustainability
In Spring 2017, the Department of Resident Life and the Office of Sustainability began a pilot of the Green Terp Program. This program aims to promote sustainable action in the residence halls by encouraging students to reduce energy and water consumption, learn more about sustainability, and become a sustainability leader. This program is currently active and adapted to the new standards of residential life during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
A brief description of other comprehensive sustainability outreach materials and publications not covered above:
Signage about bio-retention ponds, bioswales, community gardens, and other sustainable grounds-keeping strategies are posted around campus. At the Peace and Friendship garden there is a sign about a solar-pumping station that was installed for irrigation and funded by the University Sustainability Fund.
Facilities Management (FM) at UMD added a section to their website on sustainability in the various FM units and offices. Topics include waste, composting, and recycling; water; energy; grounds and arboretum; green cleaning; and green buildings.
On the Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) website, an entire section is devoted to alternative transportation for commuters. Information is given about Shuttle-UM, bicycling, ZipCar, carpooling, and green parking permits. To access the Department of Transportation website, visit: https://transportation.umd.edu/sustainable-transportation
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.