Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.33
Liaison Brad Spanbauer
Submission Date Jan. 29, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Brian Kermath
Sustainability Director
Sustainability Office
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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 (optional):

The UW Oshkosh Sustainability website focuses on campus efforts in sustainability. It includes organizational information about the Campus Sustainability Plan, Office of Sustainability, sustainability staff, sustainability committees, and small grant programs. It highlights the operations, teaching, outreach and research activities contributing to campus sustainability. It also offers ways for students to get involved in clubs, government, organizations, and the surrounding community as well as teaching resources.


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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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:

There is a sustainability Facebook and Twitter page dedicated to events, and programs happening on Campus. It is also an open discussion forum for students to express and debate environmental issues. A student intern posts weekly on sustainability issues and things happening on campus.


The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
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?:
Yes

A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:

The Assistant Director of Communications keeps in regular contact with the Director of Sustainability for any updates, events, awards, projects, or announcements for the Office of Sustainability. Stories are written and posted online whenever appropriate.


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

An annual student scholars program includes projects focused on sustainability. Program name: UW System Symposium and UWO Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Activity.


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 :

Touchscreen interactive kiosks are stationed in the main entryway lobbies of Reeve, Sage Hall, and Horizon with the buildings profile. The kiosks track, water, heat, and energy consumption, and measure renewable energy output. All buildings that are LEED certified have plagues displaying their level of certification in the lobbies.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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:

The dining hall Blackhawk Commons promotes healthy, vegetarian, and fair trade choices on monitors throughout the building.


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 groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:

A large stormwater infiltration area planted with native prairie plants has a signboard with a poster explaining the installation and the role of prairie plants in stormwater treatment, biodiversity , and teaching on campus. Smaller signs for “Prairie in Progress” were developed by the Office of Sustainability for use at new prairie installations to educate the public and reduce complaints that the university was neglecting its lawn-mowing duties. Certain landscaped areas of campus have been designated as Monarch habitat with signage to alert students of its importance.


The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The Office of Sustainability has developed a general sustainability walking tour map and a map specific to renewable energy facilities. The format is a tri-fold brochure with campus map and descriptive text. A script is developed for tour guides, usually facilities staff and students.


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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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:

The Parking Office has developed a website on Alternate Transportation to explain use of ID cards for free city and university bus rides, the advantages of joining the Zimride ridesharing network, and parking options for bicycles and fuel-efficient motorized cycles.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

The Expeditions program has a bike services shop offering safety inspections, air pressure inspections, brake adjustments, bike tune-ups, and rentals. The office also gives information on biking and walking trails in the area. There are bike lanes on all roads through campus and bike storage areas at every academic, and residential hall.


The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
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 incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

The Green Living Guide was developed by the Office of Sustainability and Residence Life to support a Green Room Certification program and to reduce waste at move-in and move-out. It covers energy efficiency, water efficiency, health, purchasing, transportation, and civic engagement.

The Green Room Certification is an online checklist that can accessed through MyUWO Student Portal that allows participants to track their eco-friendly behavior throughout their college career. It helps them identify ways to improve these behaviors with the help of the Sustainability Advisors' encouragement and peer education.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:

The Sustainability Office produced a display for use at campus events that includes a poster of highlights, and a brochure reflecting the main points of the current poster. Additional display materials are added depending on the audience.


The website URL for these materials or publications:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.