Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.95
Liaison John Alejandro
Submission Date March 11, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of San Diego
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Paula Morreale
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 that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:

The Office of Sustainability website includes information about all of the University's institutional and student run sustainability initiatives, as well as information to help students and employees to be more sustainable.


The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

Monthly newsletter keeps the campus community updated about sustainability related news such as events and initiatives.


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have 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 Sustainability website includes information on student research about sustainability. SEED Grants are also available each year to students, staff, and faculty to fund sustainability-related research. The finding of this research are presented on the website.


The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :

The Student Life Pavilion a LEED certified building has signage that communicates its sustainability features to the campus community.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

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

The University of San Diego student cafeteria has a food digester system that breakdowns pre and post-consumer food waste. Signs at the tray return encourage users to not "scrape their plate" into the trash, and instead let the dining staff use it in the digester. Other signs are present throughout the student cafeteria and other dining areas that highlight the sustainable sourcing and production of food on campus.


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 grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
No

A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

Individuals who schedule their visit through Undergraduate Admissions are given a tour by an undergraduate student of the campus. The tour includes highlights of the sustainability features of the campus, including the solar panels, energy retrofits, groundskeeping practices, as well as a mention of the Electronic Waste Recycling Center. The Office of Sustainability provides a script to Undergraduate Admissions each year that they include while updating their tours.


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
Yes

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

The Office of Sustainability website features a page with information about trams, public transport, car share and other more sustainable mode of transport and how to use them, with links to further information. Additionally, the Parking Services website includes further information and links to public transportation websites.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

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

Sustainability Living Learning Communities (LLC) on USD provides resident students the opportunity to be inspired by sustainability initiatives on campus, develop a passion for sustainability as part of a community and develop into more socially mindful and responsible citizens. Their online publication provides information on sustainability related course, events and other news. Additionally, the Office of Sustainability posts tips for how to have a green move-in that is distributed digitally to incoming students.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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 regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
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The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

The Facebook Page of Be Blue Green keeps the student body informed of the sustainability related goings on on campus, as well as a sustainability marketing tool, by posting pictures of events, updates etc.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
No

A brief description of this material:

The USD E-waste Center helps advance sustainability in the San Diego community by safe recycling and disposal of Electronic waste. They use social media outlets including Facebook and Twitter to keep the community on and off campus updated about their work and in the process promote responsible recycling.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

The Office of Sustainability has a twitter page which is used to keep students and other members of the community up to date with sustainability related happenings on campus via social media.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
No

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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
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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.