Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 45.79
Liaison Larry Cook
Submission Date Dec. 4, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of South Carolina
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Caroline Zerhusen
Project Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Central Sustainability Website 

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):
The Office of Sustainability's website highlights current projects for campus sustainability, faculty and student research, ways to get involved, and a history of sustainabilty on campus.

The website URL for the central sustainability website:
http://sc.edu/sustainability

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The monthly newsletter highlights campus and community events and news that promote or relate to sustainability. The newsletter provides key information and ways to get involved both on and off campus. The newsletter currently has over 1,500 subscribers including university affiliates and community members.

None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
https://sc.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=479e2bfb1fc430736c42a0e11&id=49c48dbce5

Social Media Platforms 

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:
Sustainable Carolina, the Green Quad, and the University of South Carolina EcoReps have presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sustainable Carolina has an instagram, facebook, and twitter that promotes on and off campus events and projects that invovle sustainability. The SC Eco Reps has an instagram that advertises Eco Rep events at residence halls.

The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/sustainability/about/social_media.php

Student Newspaper Coverage 

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 the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
Campus media relations is frequently involved with covering sustainability events, such as Earth Day and Recyclemania, as well as projects such as waste audits. Coverage of sustainability is present in opinion articles for the Daily Gamecock and articles for the Garnet and Black magazine. There is no specific column or beat reporter on either of these publications, but both often report on sustainability across campus.

The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
---

Student Research Publication 

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:
Student sustainability research can be published and disseminated in Breakthrough, the university's research publication, or the Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal.

None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/research/news_and_pubs/publications.php

Green Building Signage 

Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
All new green buildings on campus have dashboard displays in the lobbies giving users a chance to view their energy and water usage and explore the unique features of their building. All LEED Certified buildings have signage about green building features. The Darla Moore School of Business provides building tours specifically highlighting the sustainable aspect of the building that contribute to their LEED Platinum Rating.

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/sustainability/sustainability_on_campus/buildings_offices/index.php

Sustainable Food Systems Information 

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:
Large and obvious signs are used to promote specific menu items that are reliably sourced from sustainable or local vendors. Additionally, educational signage is displayed on TV monitors in the largest dining locations. Information about local sourcing, composting efforts, and food donations are all displayed prominently across campus.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/dining_services/dining_initiatives/sustainability_initiatives.php

Sustainable Grounds Signage 

Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
No

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
No physical signage is present, but information about sustainable groundskeeping and landscaping strategies are published online.

The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/facilities/our_services/index.php

Sustainable Walking Map or Tour 

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

None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
There is a digital map of walking routes and bike racks. There is also a campus sustainability tour offered by the Office of Sustainability. Campus Recreation also provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff to attend day trips with the Outdoor Recreation Office. These trips are to state and local parks and are rooted in social and environmental sustainability.

None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student_health_services/documents/walking_running_paths_map.pdf

Guide for Commuters 

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:
There is a digital map of walking routes and bike racks. There is an interactive map and app for the shuttle that runs many routes throughout campus. The Office of Sustainabilty also provides information about how to use the city bus transportation.

The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/sustainability/sustainability_on_campus/transportation/index.php

Materials for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Campus Recreation's Office of Outdoor Recreation has available maps and safety brochures for bicyclists highlighting the best routes in and around the Columbia metropolitan area in their office.

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/campus_recreation/rentals_repairs/bike_shop/index.php

Green Living Guide 

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

None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The University's Housing Department has a dedicated Sustainability Coordinator and offers a website and program literature for sustainable living in the various residence halls on campus. UofSC Eco Reps work closely with the Residential Housing Association to promote sustainable practices and events with first year, graduate, and international students.

None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/housing/for-residents/living_green.php

Other Outreach Materials 

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

A brief description of these materials or publications:
The Green Quad Residence Halls website provides information on opportunities to get involved in sustainability that are specifically targeted towards freshman and other students living on campus. They also send out a weekly newsletter to over 700 subscribers that includes tips on how to live sustainably, and provides updates on outreach opportunities for students to get involved in.

The website URL for these materials or publications:
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/housing/green_quad/get_involved/index.php

Optional Fields 

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.