Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.83
Liaison C Jane Hagen
Submission Date March 2, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Virginia Commonwealth University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Joseph Costa
Sustainability Projects and Program Coordinator
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 VCU sustainability website is a centralized source to find information on sustainability in and around the university. The website highlights recent initiatives and upcoming events. The website is also a resource for sustainability information, links, and ways to get involved.

The website URL for the central sustainability website:
https://sustainability.vcu.edu/

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
Twice per year the Office of Sustainability creates a newsletter with recent projects, tips and sustainability information that is sent to our listserv.

None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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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:
The Office of Sustainability manages Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram accounts under VCUGoesGreen. These social media platforms facilitate an easy way to highlight VCU's sustainable assets and detail the strides the university is making, as well as connecting with students in real-time. Additionally, the Garden Coordinator manages an active Facebook page for the VCU Learning Garden, posting on average 1-3 times per week.

The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
https://www.facebook.com/vcusustainability

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
Sustainability events and projects are highlighted in stories in the VCU student newspaper, and the Commonwealth Times (CT). In 2010 there were almost 40 stories featured on VCU Sustainability and almost every issue had some coverage.

The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
http://www.commonwealthtimes.org/

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:
Individual research departments have their own vehicles to disseminate student research. VCU News also picks up stories regarding student sustainability research.

None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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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 :
There is signage at all LEED buildings that highlights individual green features as well as LEED rating. There are 27 signs alone at the Cary Street Gym that touch on everything from land preservation, to water efficiency, to recycled materials used in building construction.

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
https://sustainability.vcu.edu/operations/green-buildings/

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:
VCU Dining Services has come up with a brochure that highlights their sustainable food initiatives including buying local, serving all tray-less meals, and using a solar powered trash compactor.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSMA/VirginiaCommonwealth/Sustainability/

Sustainable Grounds Signage 

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:
There is signage at the Harris Hall Rain Garden, xeriscaped (bayscaping) landscaping and Arbor Day tree plantings that highlight sustainable grounds-keeping strategies.

The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
https://sustainability.vcu.edu/gardens/landscaping-for-stormwater-management/

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:
The VCU Green Map is a Sustainability Walking Map that highlights sustainable assets, including buildings, food, open space and surrounding commercial entities.

None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
https://sustainability.vcu.edu/operations/green-map/"

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:
Green Unity 4 VCU drafted an Alternate Transportation Guide. This guide highlights the alternative modes of transportation such as: bikes, busses, and walking. VCU also has two Mobility Hub Kiosks oneach campus that have information on alternative transportation.

The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
https://sustainability.vcu.edu/operations/alternative-transportation/

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:
VCU RamBikes promotes bicycling as a safe, fun, economical, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation alternative for the Virginia Commonwealth University campus community. RamBikes provides a full repair shop for students, faculty and staff to work on their bikes, and bike ambassadors to offer guidance and knowledge on bike repair and safety.

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
http://www.bikes.vcu.edu/

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 guide was created to provide the VCU community with resources that could aid in everyday life, from water consumption to waste reduction. Every action we take has a consequence that can easily be reduced. This guide provides easy tips for making small lifestyle adjustments that will lessen your personal ecological footprint, and therefore reduce the campus footprint as a whole.

None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
https://sustainability.vcu.edu/media/sustainability/documents/green_guide_updates.pdf

Other Outreach Materials 

Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
No

A brief description of these materials or publications:
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The website URL for these materials or publications:
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Optional Fields 

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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