| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.02 |
| Liaison | Nathan King |
| Submission Date | Oct. 15, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Virginia Tech
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Emily
Schosid Campus Sustainability Planner University Planning |
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
The Office of Energy and Sustainability (OES) website is the central website for sustainability at Virginia Tech. The OES website highlights university sustainability initiatives (such as green building standards, energy efficiency efforts, recycling, and stormwater management) and student-led sustainability initiatives (such as Earth Week, RecycleMania, and Ytoss). The website highlights past sustainability events and also promotes upcoming events. Official reports and policy documents are also included on the website, such as the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and accompanying Sustainability Plan (VTCAC&SP), the Annual Report on Campus Sustainability, and the Blacksburg Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. The website also highlights Virginia Tech’s accomplishments and awards to date.
The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The Virginia Tech News website is the comprehensive database for news articles from the university. The website allows students, faculty, staff, and the community to subscribe to specific News feed categories via email, cell phone, or other devices compatible with RSS feeds. The categories are divided by topic (such as Diversity, Energy, or Environment), or by designated College (such as the College of Natural Resources and Environment or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences). Many of these categories within the News feed contain sustainability-related news and research.
A Campus Sustainability news feed was added to the Virginia Tech News RSS feeds. The Campus Sustainability news feed consolidates sustainability-related news articles into an easily accessible news feed.
Additionally, there is a designated Research category that allows users to view the most recently published research by students, faculty, and staff. Many of these articles pertain to sustainability, and the Research category can be searched to specifically find sustainability-related research articles. To view the Research News Feed on the VT News website, please see http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/feeds/research.html
To view the entire VT News Feed list, please see: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/feeds/index.html
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?:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
The Henderson Hall Renovation and the Theatre 101 Addition project was Virginia Tech’s first project to receive LEED certification. The project received the LEED Gold rating and earned Innovation credits for interpretive building signage that was created by students. The LEED interpretive signage is placed in locations appropriate for highlighting the particular feature described including; material usage, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation, sustainable land use and design innovation. In addition, the lobby holds a sign describing LEED with a floor plan to show where each of the interpretive signs are located.
To view additional signage that is included in the new Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences Building II please see: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/unlinked/06232011-2/ICTAS%20II%20Hallway%20Signs%20BOLD.PDF
To view building signage that highlights the green cleaning “JanPak Clean Zone” designation please see:
http://facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/unlinked/clean_zone.PDF
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Virginia Tech’s Dining Services promotes information about local and sustainable foods. The Farms & Fields Project, Dining Services’ exclusively local, sustainable, and organic venue, includes sustainability labels placed above each menu item describing the local and/or sustainable features of the food. Information binders are often available at Farms & Fields for additional information.
Dining Services also provides sustainability-related signage when they have special events. The “Plant the Seed Display” is used to promote Dining Services’ sustainability initiatives during events such as the twice-annual tradition of having a local special meal and new student orientation. Additionally, signs are displayed whenever Dining Services serves local Homestead Creamery Ice Cream. Table cards are also utilized on occasion to highlight sustainable food items and promote sustainability.
http://www.facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/unlinked/06242011/dining.asp
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 grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
The Office of University Planning created the Meadow Grass interpretive signage to highlight Virginia Tech’s sustainable grounds-keeping strategies. The Meadow Grass interpretive signage includes a description of sustainable grounds-keeping strategies in 18 locations around campus.
The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
The Alternative Transportation website serves as the comprehensive resource for commuters to find and use alternative methods of transportation. The website features alternative transportation options such as the ZipCar program, the Commuter Alternatives Program (which includes Carpool programs and the Bike, Bus, & Walk program), the Ridesharing program, Vanpooling, Flexible Work Options, and Discounted Smart Way bus passes.
The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Offices are allowed to submit materials to be given out to every student who lives in the residence halls. The packet of information awaits them on their bed as they move into their dorms for the first time. Starting in 2014, the Office of Energy and Sustainability creates materials to be included in this packet of information. The materials include a guide on how to recycle in the residence halls, green alternatives to bring to college, and how to reduce energy in the residence halls.
http://www.it.vpas.vt.edu/docs/sust/er4/DormHandoutFinal.pdf
http://www.it.vpas.vt.edu/docs/sust/er4/WhatToBringFinal.jpg
http://www.it.vpas.vt.edu/docs/sust/er4/WhatToDoFinal.pdf
http://www.it.vpas.vt.edu/docs/sust/er4/SurvivalPackFinal.pdf
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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)?:
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:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
A brief description of this material:
An additional program that provides outreach materials that foster sustainability learning and knowledge for employees is the Spring Physical Activity Challenge and Walking Program, created by Hokie Wellness.
The Spring Physical Activity Challenge and Walking Program, is a 16 week challenge to eat healthier, be physically active, improve flexibility and strength, and increase water consumption. This program promotes initiatives which focus on the physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being of all University employees. The Spring Physical Activity Challenge and Walking Program includes walking maps of campus, the Huckleberry Trail (located on the edge of campus), and other trails within the area. The program also offers tools for employees to track their physical activities, nutrition, and overall wellness.
For more information about the Hokie Wellness Spring Physical Activity Challenge and Walking Program please see: http://hokiewellness.hr.vt.edu/PhysicalHealth/ExerciseFitness/WorkplaceWalkingChallenge.aspx
Hokie Wellness consists of representation from Virginia Tech Work/Life Resources, the ADA office, the Women’s Center, Employee Benefits, Health and Wellness and Employee Relations. Hokie Wellness works to provide related programming and information which will enhance employee health and productivity.
For more information about Hokie Wellness please see:
http://www.hokiewellness.hr.vt.edu/
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
A brief description of this material:
Every year, the Office of Energy and Sustainability produces a Sustainability Guide, which gives information about the office's mission statement, sustainability resources on campus, and the contact information for the staff involved in sustainability--staff at OES, Dining Services Sustainability, Alternative Transportation Office, the Energy Manager, and others. This guide is handed out to students during Gobblerfest, the annual club fair at the beginning of every fall semester. Additionally, the guide is handed out at meetings with people who are unfamiliar with the Office's work on campus.
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
A brief description of this material:
The main Virginia Tech website (www.vt.edu) features a revolving "Spotlight" on different happenings around campus. For the month of October (2014) the Office of Energy and Sustainability has been featured on this Spotlight.
For an image of the homepage please see the following link:
http://www.it.vpas.vt.edu/docs/sust/ER4/ER-4_SustainabilitySpotlight.jpg
See the link below for the article.
http://www.vt.edu/spotlight/achievement/2014-10-06-sustainability/sustainability.html
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
A brief description of this material:
Social Media channels.
The Office of Energy and Sustainability runs four social media channels.
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VTSustainability
-Twitter: https://twitter.com/vtsustainable
-Tumblr: http://vtsustainable.tumblr.com/
-Instagram: http://instagram.com/vtsustainable
Alternative Transportation also has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VTAlternativeTransportation
Dining Services Sustainability has several social media websites as well:
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dining-Services-Garden-at-Kentland-Farm-Volunteer-Program/148074191876490
-A blog: http://farmsandfields.wordpress.com/
-Twitter: https://twitter.com/VTGreenDining
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
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.