| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.50 |
| Liaison | Cora Kenfield |
| Submission Date | July 22, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Vassar College
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Alistair
Hall Sustainability Assistant Dean of Strategic Planning |
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 | No |
| A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation | Yes |
| Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians | --- |
| 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 | Yes |
| Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above | --- |
A brief description of the central sustainability website:
The College Committee on Sustainability website acts as a news forum for all sustainable, environmentally-focused efforts on campus. It consolidates news from all different groups as well as highlighting the committee’s major work with its key initiatives. Run through the official Vassar blogs program, the site is attached to the college’s online system of academic and research blogs.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The sustainability news letter is sent out bi-weekly to its mailing list. The mailing list consists of member of the Vassar community, including students, faculty, and staff. Anyone may opt to receive the letter via the Sustainability website. It contains highlights from the website, upcoming sustainability events, distinct ways to get involved and updates from the College Committee on Sustainability. It is published by the coordinator of CCS, Alistair Hall.
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:
The Sustainability Committee also runs a Facebook page entitled "Sustainability at Vassar." The page promotes events, green news from around campus, and other sustainability initiatives both from the College Committee on Sustainability, as well as other campus organizations and other campus-sponsored events.
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:
"ScienceWorks" (published irregularly 1 or 2 times a year) is based on articles written by students on their research, some of which is sustainability related.
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 :
Newly installed paper products in restrooms and kitchens across campus (Summer 2013) include a small sign on the dispenser explaining their sustainability benefits, namely being made from 100% recycled paperboard and with 80% less water than the paper industry average.
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:
Both the “All Campus Dining Center” and “Retreat” dining services post significant amounts of information signs around dining halls that identify locally purchased foods and their sources.
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:
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:
Neighbors: Transportation: Vassar’s website page dedicated to informing students and community about public transportation options that are offered by the community as well as the college.
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:
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:
Each year, Freshmen are sent a note from the Sustainability Committee detailing the different sustainability efforts of the college and suggesting ways that they can become involved. Suggestions range from efficient light bulbs and appliances to minimizing packaging and boxes for transporting their belongings. Sustainability programming has also been increasingly incorporated into Freshman orientation programming, with an emphasis on recycling in the dorms and reducing waste.
All students living in on-campus townhouse and apartment areas (primarily seniors) are given the option at the beginning of the year to receive a compost bin. If so, they received a bin and a hand out about proper recycling and composting. Additionally, during Fall 2013, the Office of Residential Life installed colorful recycling, composting, and trash disposal guides in each of the on-campus apartments and townhouses.
The Spring 2014 EcoLeaders are designing a "Green Living" Brochure to be distributed to all students living in on-campus houses and apartments, as well as those living off campus. The brochure identifies ways to shop and live more sustainably and will be distributed to all students living outside of the dorms.
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:
Sustainability interns regularly contribute guest columns to the college newspaper, the Miscellany News. The Sustainability Coordinator and interns are regularly interviewed in support of articles by staff writers.
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):
The website URL for this material (1st material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
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The website URL for this material (2nd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
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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):
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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:
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.