| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.38 |
| Liaison | Olivia Shehan |
| Submission Date | Nov. 13, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Wellesley College
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Dorothea
Von Herder Sustainability Coordinator Facilties |
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 (optional):
This webpage outlines the College’s sustainability goals (which have been approved by the President of the College), resources for students and staff, as well as general information and updates on both implemented and on-going sustainability projects. This includes the goals, events, and people involved with Sustainability Year in 2018.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
Each week, the Environmental Studies Department in conjunction with the Office of Sustainability distributes an electronic newsletter, "The Wellesley Center for the Environment Newsletter", to the Wellesley community, which acts as a virtual manifestation of the proposed Center for the Environment. The newsletter contains current news and announcements, detailed schedules of upcoming events both on and off-campus, and comprehensive lists of internship and job opportunities.
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The Office of Sustainability maintains a Facebook page to post events, announcements, celebrate accomplishments and connect with students, alumnae, and other departments.
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?:
A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
We do not have a regular column, but frequently communicate with the Wellesley newspaper on sustainability news and announcements.
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?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The Tanner and Rulhman Conferences (in the fall and the spring semesters respectively) are communal, public events where students have an opportunity to present their work to an unusually wide audience, including on and off campus guests. By providing an opportunity for public presentation of what is often isolated research, the conference demonstrates that research can be part of the ongoing conversation in a community of scholars. Many of these presentations deal with broad topics of sustainability.
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 newly modernized Alumnae Hall building was renovated to LEED Gold standards, and there is a plaque which highlights this certification. There is also a powerpoint presentation on permanent display of the LEED process for this particular building. There are also signs for the photovoltaic solar array located on the athletic fields.
Additionally, there are stickers on light switches in dorms reminding students to turn off the lights when they do not need them, as well as signs in some bathrooms urging students to shorten the length of their showers and in general conserve water.
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?:
A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
AVI is Wellesley College's food provider, locally known as Wellesley Fresh.
There are a variety of signs in the dining hall indicating whether the food being served is local, organic, fair trade, vegan, vegetarian, allergen free, etc. The College's dining service also maintains a website which details their green practices and goals.
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?:
A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
The arboretum on campus contains limited signage educating viewers on the plants and other natural features in the area.
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?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
While there is not a complete sustainability map, we offer sustainability tours for major prospective student events. We also have bike share map and a map of the hydration stations and water hook ups for our water dispensers (Wells on Wheels).
Also, sustainability-related organizations on campus periodically offer tours. For example, the botanic gardens offers Edible Ecosystem Garden tours. The Paulson Initiative has offered birding and tree tours of the campus.
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
We are almost a completely residential campus (98% live on campus), so there are not many student commuters. For those who do commute, there are public transportation options available.
For faculty and staff we do provide guidance on public transportation options and sustainable commuting alternatives.
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)? :
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
The Office of Sustainability provides a free bikeshare program to students, faculty, and staff. There are additional resources on our website.
We are also a part of the Wellesley Trails system that provides brochures and guides for paths around Wellesley.
Wellesley College also maintains extensive walking paths around campus and around Lake Waban. http://academics.wellesley.edu/Biology/Web/naturewalk.html
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?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Office of Sustainability gives out a number of 'Green Living Tips' brochures to First-Years during Orientation and other tabling events throughout the year, which include information on how to reduce personal energy usage on-campus and various sustainable lifestyle recommendations. This is also an important role for the eco reps and eco rep coordinators.
The Office of Sustainability also created a Sustainable Living Certification that outlines the steps to take to live more sustainably on campus.
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?:
A brief description of these materials or publications:
The website URL for these materials or publications:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.