| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.42 |
| Liaison | Mary-Lee Townsend |
| Submission Date | Oct. 6, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Western University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Stefanie
De Adder Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Management |
Does the institution produce the following outreach materials and/or publications that foster sustainability learning and knowledge? :
| Yes or No | |
| A central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution’s sustainability efforts | Yes |
| A sustainability newsletter | Yes |
| Social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability | Yes |
| A vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability | Yes |
| Building signage that highlights green building features | Yes |
| Food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems | Yes |
| Signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed | No |
| A sustainability walking map or tour | Yes |
| A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation | Yes |
| Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians | Yes |
| A guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience | Yes |
| Regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat | No |
| Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above | Yes |
A brief description of the central sustainability website:
The sustainability website delivers information about campus environmental initiatives (Western's Green Awards, Rez Powers Down, Green Office Program, the Furniture & Equipment Recycling Program (FERP)); university practices (recycling and waste management, water and energy management, transportation, building and green space); academic programs, and the Energy Dashboard.
The website also offers alternatives for Western's community to get involved on-campus, many green tips and blogs, as well as upcoming events.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
There is a Sustainability Newsletter, entitled Purple & Green, which is issued three times per year (Fall, Winter, and Spring). The online publication reflects both the spirit of Western and their relationship with the environment. The newsletter includes seasonal information, covering the events and activities from students, staff, and faculty perspectives. The Winter 2014 issue of Purple & Green discussed the creation of a campaign to educate individuals and clean up toxic cigarette butts around the City of London. This issue also provided an overview of national environmental events, Western’s Food Sustainability, Reducing Western’s Waste, and helpful sustainability tips and tricks.
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:
@GreenWesternU on Twitter and Western University Sustainability on Facebook are the primary social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability. These Twitter and Facebook accounts highlight environmental initiatives occurring daily on campus, as well as helpful green tips for students, faculty and staff.
The website URL of the primary social media platform that focuses on sustainability:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The annual Earth Day Colloquium is a one or two day event showcasing research being conducted in the field of Environment and Sustainability by students from different faculties. Celebrating the interdisciplinary nature of this field, the Colloquium provides a forum for a broad range of topics in Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Business, Policy and Management.
The Earth Day Colloquium, organized every year by students, is in its eighth year and continues to grow in breadth and dimension as well as interest, drawing larger audiences every year. It is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in environment and sustainability to participate in a day dedicated to interdisciplinary sharing of ideas with a diverse audience comprised of students, faculty, and representatives from the London community, industry and government organizations.
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Green building signage are placed in the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion (CMLP) in the Faculty of Engineering - the first certified LEED Gold building on-campus. Signs on paper towel dispensers remind users to conserve paper while signs next to urinals/toilets inform users that our facility is committed to conserving water and that the high-efficient urinals/toilets help save over 88% of water per use.
As well, an info-monitor in the lobby of the building highlights sustainable design features, which include the high recycled content building materials, the green roof, and geothermal ground source heating/cooling system.
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
In an effort to enhance and increase general awareness of the Hospitality Services Recycling program, Sustainability Central has been introduced in the University Community Centre's cafeteria. This is a highly visible program which has greatly impacted the recycling efforts in the units hosting these stations. Graphic signage is posted to inform students what can be composted, what is recyclable, and what goes to landfill.
Furthermore, signs placed in the University Community Centre promotes local food and vegetarian/vegan options.
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Western's 'Walking Tour' map highlights all the facilities, faculty buildings, and key historical features that can be found on campus, as well as some of the sustainable features of the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavillion.
Green Tours are also offered by volunteers trained by Facilities Management staff. http://sustainability.uwo.ca/get_involved/tours.html
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
The Sustainability website provides a list of alternative methods of transportation available to students and staff. These include our campus fleet (Western's Foot patrol, Parking Services, Campus Police); intra-campus transportation (provide bicycles to Power Plant employees); student bus pass; bicycle and roller-blade paths; campus-wide system of pathways and sidewalks; and information on the carpooling system.
Western's Parking Services also offers a carpool program. http://www.uwo.ca/parking/find/sustainable/carpooling.html
The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Since cycling is very important to the Western community, there is a link for the Bike Rack and Shower Map for those who wish to cycle and shower on campus before class or work:
http://sustainability.uwo.ca/documents/transportation/Cycling%20_and_Shower_Location_Map.pdf
For more information about Purple Bikes, an affordable and convenient bike rental service on campus, please visit: www.usc.uwo.ca/purplebikes/bike-rentals.html
The following website provides links to various campus maps for visitors, students, faculty, and staff: www.uwo.ca/about/visit/maps.html
Western is also committed to being a barrier-free campus, with accessible pedestrian signals, walkway enhancements, water fountains throughout campus, and ramps. See link: http://www.uwo.ca/fm/initiatives/accessibility.html#aps
The current Master Plan of the University of Western Ontario includes different transportation and circulation strategies, such as enhancing a system that supports pedestrians, bicycles and public transit. Amongst the current initiatives are the increased number of bicycle racks distributed across campus to encourage cycling, as well as bicycle lockers to address safe storage of bikes. The bicycle strategy includes: developing a cycling plan in collaboration with the City of London in which bicycle routes to and through the campus could be improved and expanded where possible. Also, increasing bicycle storage facilities in key locations on campus such as at residences and in the core of campus where possible. Please see: www.uwo.ca/pvp/strategic_plan/documents/MasterPlanFinalSept-07.pdf
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Western's Sustainability Team has created a Sustainable Actions Checklist for Students which highlights tips and facts with regards to how to live and learn more sustainably while at Western and in London. This checklist is handed out at tradeshows, including the annual Take Care Fair, where all first year students living in residence are invited to come out and learn about how to take care of themselves, each other, and the campus and environment.
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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:
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:
A brief description of another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above (1st material):
Western's Facilities Management's 'Green Boards' located in all buildings and soon to be within residences allow students and staff to be informed of the annual Green Awards, recycling programs at Western, and sustainability tips, tricks and facts.
The website URL for this material (1st material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
A brief description of this material (2nd material):
There are also slides pertaining to sustainability on the Visix Screens around Western's campus. Visix is a product that delivers a digital signage solution to screens across campus. This system is designed for ease of use and quick updates while giving users the ability to manage their content in a powerful way using only a web browser and a graphics design program.
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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.