Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.51
Liaison Aurora Sharrard
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2021

STARS v2.2

University of Pittsburgh
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Samantha Chan
Assistant Director of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution’s sustainability efforts?:
Yes

Website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter or social media platform that focuses specifically on campus sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter or social media platform:

NEWSLETTTERS:

1) The Office of Sustainability sends out a monthly newsletter that includes updates on university sustainability initiatives, sustainability employment opportunities, upcoming sustainability events, research and funding opportunities, Pitt Sustainability news links, and more! Interested individuals can sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/PittSustainabilityNews

2) The Student Office of Sustainability (SOOS) publishes monthly updates about various sustainability events and opportunities.

3) Regular newsletters and electronic communications are also made by the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation; Center for Sustainable Business; and Pittsburgh Collaboratory for Water Research, Education, and Outreach.

4) Pitt also has a quarterly newsletter for Sustainability Alumni, delivered in collaboration by the Office of Sustainability and the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation.

VIDEOS:
The Office of Sustainability runs “Pitt Sustainability” YouTube Channel, including videos to profiling Pitt Sustainability opportunities, educating the Pitt community about sustainability, and tutorials about basic campus sustainability, biking around campus, using Healthy Ride (Pittsburgh bike share system), and more! https://youtube.com/channel/UCbvqaXM0K3UmysRc7Jddyzw/videos

SOCIAL MEDIA:

1) Office of Sustainability runs 2 social media accounts directly to keep followers up to date on all things sustainability at the University of Pittsburgh:
A) Instagram account @PittSustainability, https://instagram.com/PittSustainability;
B) Twitter account @SustainablePitt (which includes Pitt-led sustainability initiatives along with sustainability news and happenings regionally, nationally, and globally) https://twitter.com/SustainablePitt

2) Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation has 3 dedicated social media accounts:
A) Twitter @PittMCSI, https://twitter.com/PittMCSI
B) Facebook, @PittMCSI, https:// facebook.com/pittMCSI
C) LinkedIn, https:// linkedin.com/company/pittmcsi

3) Two other Pitt Sustainability academic centers have Twitter accounts:
A) Pitt Center for Sustainable Business @PittCSB
B) Pittsburgh Collaboratory for Water Research, Education, and Outreach @WaterPitt

4) The Student Office of Sustainability (SOOS) has 2 social media accounts where they post all their upcoming events to keep students informed about SOOS events and other campus sustainability happenings:
A)Facebook, https:// facebook.com/PittSOOS
B) Instagram @PittSOOS, https:// instagram.com/pittsoos

5) Pitt Eco Reps have an Instagram account, @PittEcoreps to provide student followers tips on how to be more sustainable on campus and in their dorms, https://instagram.com/pittecoreps

6) University of Thriftsburgh on-campus student-run thrift store has an Instagram account @Thriftsburgh, to encourage students to think sustainably when picking out their clothing and to engage students in the reuse culture on campus, https://instagram.com/thriftsburgh

7) Other Pitt Sustainability-related Instagram accounts include: @Pitt.Eats, @PittBikeCave, @PittGreenFund, @PittPantry, @PittServes

8) Other Pitt Sustainability-related Twitter accounts include: @CommutePitt & @PittGreenFund

9) Other Pitt Sustainability-related Facebook accounts exist for the University of Thriftsburgh , Pitt Bike Cave , Pitt Green Fund, The Pitt Pantry, Pitt Food Share, and Pitt Real Food Challenge

TikTok accounts are also active for @PittSOOS and @Thriftsburgh

A working summary of many Pitt Sustainability social media accounts is online here: https://sustainable.pitt.edu/learn-more/pitt-green-guide/social-media


Does the institution have signage that highlights sustainability features on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage that highlights sustainability features on campus:

LEED CERTIFIED BUILDINGS: All Pitt LEED certified spaces have their official LEED display plaques proudly displayed, and many have educational signage electronically and/or physically incorporated into them to educate visitors and building occupants on the sustainable features of the facility. https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/leed-buildings

PITT GREEN DESIGNATIONS: Pitt offices and laboratories who have achieved Pitt Green Office or Pitt Green Laboratory designations receive door / window decals for their work space to signify to visitors that they are actively participating the Pitt Green programs and advancing a culture of sustainability on campus. Desk and wall awards are anticipated post-Covid. https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/what-you-can-do/pitt-green-office

ELECTRONIC SIGNAGE: There is a wide variety of electronic signage across campus, which regularly displays Pitt Sustainability initiatives and events. The Office of Sustainability and Student Office of Sustainability both have access to and help prioritize submission of this electronic signage to Academic, Housing, and Student Affairs spaces across campus, with one electronic sign devoted entirely to sustainability messaging in the main first year student residence hall.

CAMPUS SIGNAGE: Some campus pollinator gardens have been equipped with educational signs to promote awareness of the importance of protect pollinators and Pitt’s dedication to provide more and safe pollinator habitats. Future campus signage is being designed that will highlight pollinators, trees, urban agriculture, and other campus sustainability features. We are working to expand this signage across campus.

PANTHER WALKING ROUTE: In an effort to boost individual wellbeing and physical activity, Pitt created the Panther Walking Route, which we hope will be the first of several urban walking routes around, through, and near to campus! The Panther Walking Route includes 10 stops throughout the Pittsburgh campus. Each stop includes a sign with a QR code to scan to learn more about the stop, why you're there, and some fun facts about sustainability initiatives and opportunities to improve your wellness here at Pitt! https://www.hr.pitt.edu/current-employees/work-life-balance/wellness-life/roc-route


Does the institution provide a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The University has a variety of online and in-person sustainability maps and tours, as highlighted below:

ONLINE TOUR: The University of Pittsburgh's website offers multiple online tours of campus: https://www.tour.pitt.edu. One of these tours is dedicated to Sustainability at Pitt -- and features 8 "stops," which include photos and descriptions of green buildings, the University's ultra-low emission steam plant, dining hall composting, a rain garden, and other highlights. We are working to add new content: https://www.tour.pitt.edu/tour-categories/sustainability

WALKING TOUR: In addition, a Pitt Sustainability walking tour is conducted as part of the "Discover U" program during Freshman orientation week. Students are given the chance to visit various campus sustainability features, including urban agriculture, green roof, rain gardens, the Student Office of Sustainability, Pitt Bike Cave, and other locations..

ONLINE PITT SUSTANABILITY MAP: The Pitt Sustainability website has its own map accessible from the homepage, but directly linked to here: https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/what-pitt-is-doing/campus-initiatives/#map-section. It includes a map of campus with marked locations of all edible gardens, rain gardens, sustainable resources, the Pitt Bike Cave, LEED Certified buildings, EV charging stations, pollinator gardens, green roofs, and bike lanes.

STUDENT-GENERATED SUSTAINABILITY MAP: In Fall 2020, a student class project created a brand new map of Pitt Sustainability amenities on campus that can be visited by students. This map was physically printed on clickable paper, placed in the Student Office of Sustainability, and linked to on the Pitt Sustainability website.

UNIVERSITY MAP, SUSTAINABILITY LAYER: The University of Pittsburgh's official online map has of Sustainability category that includes a wide variety of categories: https://www.map.pitt.edu. Pitt Sustainability categories highlighted on the official Pitt online campus map under Sustainability include:
* Compost Locations
* Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
* Edible Gardens
* Green Roofs
* Pollinator Gardens
* Rain Gardens and Bioswales
* Solar Panels
* Solitary Bee Houses
* Textile, Battery, and Toner Recycling Locations

Mobility amenities show up on this map under "Transportation," and include: bike fix-it stations, bike lockers, bike racks, bike rooms, and Pitt shuttle routes and stops.

Additionally, green building information is embedded into building information on the Pitt Map – and other key Pitt Sustainability locations highlighted on the online Pitt Campus Map include; Dining Hall materials diversion, the Pitt Bike Cave, and the University of Thriftsburgh (on-campus thrift store).


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

A brief description of the guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

Blue and gold make green -- and the University of Pittsburgh is proud to support a culture that values sustainability and innovation across all disciplines. Rain gardens and green roofs dot Pitt’s Pittsburgh campus, which is densely walkable and adjacent to the 456 acre, public Schenley Park, which includes the Schenley Plaza open space.

All students have unlimited free access to Pittsburgh transit and bike share system to actively navigate and explore Pitt and the city in a low carbon manner. In dining halls and across campus you’ll find a focus on foods that support a healthy body and healthy planet, strengthen local communities, and minimize waste. Academically, a wide variety of sustainability certificates, majors, minors, and research opportunities transcend schools and departments. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability, courses are available in almost every academic field. Sustainability-conscious student organizations collaborate via the Student Office of Sustainability, which provides many diverse opportunities for students to pursue green initiatives outside the classroom and via service.

With these copious opportunities, the Pitt Green Guide answers student and employees sustainability questions: https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/learn-more/pitt-green-guide. The Pitt Student Green Guide is a resource that includes information about the Pitt Sustainability Plan, Composting and Recycling, Reuse, Energy and Water Conservation, Transportation, Pitt Green Resident & Floor Program, Get Involved, Academics, and Sustainability Social Media. https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/what-you-can-do/green-guide-student-resources.

Students interested in information about sustainability in Pitt residence halls and apartments typically reference the Panther Central Sustainability site: https://www.pc.pitt.edu/housing-services/sustainability. A new move-in checklist https://www.pc.pitt.edu/move-checklist also embeds sustainability into student decision-making and living spaces from the start: https://www.pc.pitt.edu/move-checklist


A brief description of other comprehensive sustainability outreach materials and publications not covered above:

PITT SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: The Pitt Sustainability Plan was released in January 2018 and endorsed by Chancellor Pat Gallagher. The Plan specifies Pitt's 61+ sustainability goals, many of which have completion goals of 2025 or 2030. The Pitt Sustainability Plan's goals are organized into three themes: Stewardship, Exploration, and Community and Culture -- and further grouped within 15 Impact Areas: https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/what-pitt-is-doing/impact-areas/

SUSTAINABILITY DASHBOARD: To provide an interactive view of progress on certain Pitt Sustainability Plan‘s goals, the Office of Sustainability has launched this Pitt Sustainability Dashboard, which further strengthens transparency, advances future analytics capabilities, and helps quantify the University’s impact as a global sustainability leader. Pitt's Sustainability Dashboard currently showcases 3 dashboards: 1) Greenhouse Gas Emissions from 2008 to present; 2) Composting; 3) Food Systems progress, including Food Recovery and Real Food Challenge achievements. The University expects to add building energy and water dashboards in 2021 Q1.
http://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/dashboard/

OTHER PITT SUSTAINABILITY-RELATED WEBSITES & WEBPAGES INCLUDE:

* Center for Sustainable Business, https://www.sustainablebusiness.pitt.edu
* Pitt HR Sustainability Initiatives & Resources, https://www.hr.pitt.edu/current-employees/work-life-balance/wellness-for-life/sustainability-resources
* Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/MCSI
* My.Pitt.edu has an entire category of Sustainability information cards, https://my.pitt.edu
* Pitt Eats Sustainability, https://dineoncampus.com/pitt/sustainable-practices
* Pitt Facilities Sustainability, https://www.fm.pitt.edu/sustainability
* Pitt Green Fund, https://www.pittgreenfund.com
* Pitt Housing Sustainability, https://www.pc.pitt.edu/housing-services/sustainability
* Pitt Mobile App includes both a Sustainability section and a Live, Well, Pitt module (with sections on Financial Wellness, Emotional Wellness, Social Wellness, Physical Wellness, Environmental Wellness, and Sustainability on Campus), https://www.technology.pitt.edu/services/pitt-mobile
* Pitt Pantry, https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/pittserves/sustain/pantry
* Pittsburgh Collaboratory for Water Research, Education, and Outreach, https://www.water.pitt.edu
* Student Office of Sustainability, http://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/pittserves/sustain
* University of Thriftsburgh (on-campus thrift store), http://www.universityofthriftsburgh.com


Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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