Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 36.91
Liaison Bradley Flamm
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

West Chester University of Pennsylvania
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Bradley Flamm
Director of Sustainability
Office of the President
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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 Office of Sustainability's website at WCU serves to inform members of the university and of the surrounding communities of the importance of sustainability pertaining to our social lives, economic reality, and natural environment. The website is maintained by university staff and students and provides links to a large amount of information regarding university initiatives to advance sustainability in the areas of energy, waste and recycling, transportation, curriculum, and more.


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

During the academic year, the Office of Sustainability distributes a weekly email newsletter to a distribution list of over 450 students, faculty, staff, and community members (during the summer months the newsletter is distributed every other week). The newsletter focuses on campus and community sustainability events, internship opportunities, and conferences and workshops. Events highlighted in the newsletter are also noted on the calendar on the Office of Sustainability's homepage at https://www.wcupa.edu/sustainability/, but the newsletter is not currently duplicated online (no website URL provided below).


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:

Instagram account: @wcu_sustainability; Facebook account: WCU Sustainability; and Twitter account: @sustainableWCU


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?:
No

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

Through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, students have the opportunity to present their research on sustainability at the twice-yearly Student Research Day held in the Student Union building on campus. Students are recognized for their work and may receive awards.


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 :

The newly constructed, LEED-certified Business and Public Management Center has two large digital touch screens dedicated to the sustainable features of the building. The Student Recreation Center has had a kiosk dedicated to displaying information about the solar panel array on its roof. And the geothermal pump house has a digital display screen with information on WCU's large district geothermal heating and cooling system.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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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 North Campus Outdoor Classroom and Garden has multiple signs displaying information about the ecosystem benefits of the garden and nearby landscaping and the donation of garden produce to the university's Resource Pantry and a local food bank. Aramark, West Chester University's dining services provider, has signs at its vegetarian station (called Lindsey's Garden). And Aramark's WCU website include a page dedicated to the company's sustainability initiatives.


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:

In the Gordon Natural Area, a wildlife reserve on campus, signage throughout the preserve serves to inform pedestrians of the native plant species, fauna, and projects being carried out in the area. A visitors log is located at the entrance to the GNA where a kiosk provides information about the uses and benefits of the preserve.


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:

Sustainability tours of West Chester University's north campus are conducted on an occasional basis. In October 2017, at the request of two Earth and Space Science professors, a tour was organized and documented in a Youtube video (https://youtu.be/7SxRxWwkH38). The same tour is offered for workshop and conference attendees, such as the January and March 2018 Brandywine Project Faculty and Staff Sustainability Workshops.


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?:
No

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
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The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
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Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
No

A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
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The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
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Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
No

A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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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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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.