| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.85 |
| Liaison | Andrea Trimble |
| Submission Date | Feb. 8, 2024 |
University of Virginia
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Lela
Garner Sustainability Coordinator Office for Sustainability |
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:
The UVA Office for Sustainability publishes a bi-weekly newsletter known as the SustainaNewsletter. This newsletter serves as a valuable source of information, providing updates on upcoming events, engagement opportunities, and relevant news and research articles.
For real-time updates and an online presence, you can find @SustainableUVA on popular social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
https://www.instagram.com/sustainableuva/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/64877492/
https://twitter.com/sustainableuva/
https://www.facebook.com/sustainableuva/
https://sustainability.virginia.edu/newsletter
Does the institution have signage that highlights sustainability features on campus?:
A brief description of the signage that highlights sustainability features on campus:
UVA's commitment to sustainability is shared through site-specific signage strategically placed across campus. Descriptive panels near key locations, such as the Dell stormwater management site, the Ridley Hall rooftop solar installation, and various Dining Halls, provide detailed insights into the university's sustainable initiatives.
To reinforce sustainable practices, the Office for Sustainability has placed reminder signage throughout the campus. These prompts, including messages like "Hit the Lights," "Shut the Sash," "Earn Your Steps," and "Try Just One," serve as helpful reminders for the community to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors. Additionally, a collaborative effort between students and working groups has led to the creation of multiple murals. These murals draw attention to storm drains, emphasizing their direct connection to local waterways.
For a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability efforts, the UVA Building Performance Energy and Water Tracker website offers real-time data on energy and water demand and consumption across campus. This tool utilizes information from the University's building automation and metering network. By providing easily accessible real-time, historical, and comparative usage data, the website aims to promote efficiency, conservation, and raise awareness about energy and water consumption. View the tracker in real-time here: https://energytracker.fm.virginia.edu/.
Finally, the Office for Sustainability team is actively developing comprehensive and standardized waste station signage throughout the campus. Notable updates to recycling, composting, and landfill signage have been implemented in key campus locations, including the Amphitheater, dining halls, and Scott Stadium. This initiative aims to provide clear and uniform guidance on waste disposal, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient waste management system across UVA.
Does the institution provide a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The UVA Green Guide is an online tour that utilizes a map-based interface to showcase the university's sustainability initiatives. This comprehensive guide offers in-depth information on various aspects such as food, student activities, energy, transportation, recycling, and more. Created by the Office of the Architect, the Green Guide serves as a valuable tool to enhance awareness of both current and ongoing sustainability efforts at UVA.
https://officearchitect.virginia.edu/static/greenguide/index.html
In 2023, a student in UVA's Sustainability Leadership class developed a sustainability-focused walking tour. This tour was designed to showcase six distinct resources on Grounds, covering topics such as stormwater management, composting, and renewable energy. Participants had the opportunity to gain insights into various aspects of sustainability. The Office for Sustainability aims to build on this successful initiative and hopes to incorporate the walking tour as a regular programming feature during UVA's Wahoo Welcome week. The intention is to make this educational and engaging experience a consistent part of welcoming new students to UVA.
https://sustainability.virginia.edu/blog/6-sustainable-places-grounds-you-need-visit-fall-semester
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:
UVA offers a range of engagement and online resources designed to empower students to make environmentally conscious choices within their living spaces. The Green Living team at UVA conducts interactive workshops in dorms, covering essential topics like waste diversion, environmental justice, and overall sustainability practices. For detailed guidance on waste reduction and sorting practices at UVA, students can refer to the Green Living page on the UVA Sustainability website, which provides comprehensive information to support sustainable living.
A brief description of other comprehensive sustainability outreach materials and publications not covered above:
The UVA Sustainability website consistently features blogs written by students across campus, aiming to spotlight emerging initiatives. Past blog topics have covered a range of sustainability themes, such as sustainable gift giving, tips for greening your dorm, and steps for a sustainable move-in process. These student-authored blogs contribute to an ongoing dialogue, offering valuable insights into sustainable practices and initiatives at UVA.
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
UVA also publishes quarterly sustainability updates and annual reports to help provide a comprehensive view of sustainability efforts at UVA: https://sustainability.virginia.edu/plans-progress
UVA also publishes quarterly sustainability updates and annual reports to help provide a comprehensive view of sustainability efforts at UVA: https://sustainability.virginia.edu/plans-progress
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.