| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 50.03 |
| Liaison | Mike Evans |
| Submission Date | May 28, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Williams College
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Central Sustainability Website
Yes
A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
The Zilkha Center website (sustainability.williams.edu) provides information on Williams' past and current energy use, emissions, renewable energy projects, campus buildings, and conservation strategies. Real time metering of building electricity and steam use is also . on view and can be manipulated in order to use it as a research tool. The website also features updates on latest news, initiatives, and ways to take action keep the campus community involved.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Sustainability Newsletter
Yes
None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Zilkha Center and CES both compile and circulate newsletters about initiatives and events on campus. Over 600 people are subscribed to the Zilkha Center monthly newsletter.
None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Social Media Platforms
Yes
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives has its own facebook page that is regularly updated with campus sustainability information as well as local, regional, and national sustainability news. It also has a Twitter and an Instagram, each updated regularly. There is also a youtube channel with educational videos and information about our sustainability goals. Last, the Zilkha Center has a sound cloud which holds audio stories about campus sustainability produced by students.
The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
Student Newspaper Coverage
Yes
A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
While there is not a dedicated reporter for sustainability, the college newspaper often reports on sustainability news, building updates, events and initiatives, and op-eds about sustainability.
The most recent feature: The Equity Drafting Table
https://williamsrecord.com/2019/02/zilkha-davis-centers-solicit-community-opinions-on-equity/
A few examples of op-eds recently:
https://williamsrecord.com/2019/02/pay-for-the-environment/
https://williamsrecord.com/2019/02/the-turn-to-zero-waste/
The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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Student Research Publication
Yes
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
The Zilkha Center website (www.sustainability.williams.edu) disseminates and highlights student research on sustainability. Many of the student papers have been used both by staff and other students in implementing sustainability initiatives and projects.
None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Green Building Signage
Yes
None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Construction on a brand new science building has signage surrounding the site about Williams College's LEED efforts and our GOLD rating on two newly built academic buildings.
The Class of 1966 Environmental Center has signage around the building that describes features that comply with the Living Building Challenge. Information is posted throughout about the net zero water usage, the materials used in the building, and other energy saving features of the building.
None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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Sustainable Food Systems Information
Yes
A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Signage exists in various forms. Signs are present with pictures that show local partners where the dining hall gets food. Outside of a dining hall they have a list of fresh local food that are available for the day. Food that is locally sourced is identified on the label that reads "local from ____." Special dinners often have brochures that preach sustainable food systems such as vegetarian nights or nights with special, locally sourced foods. Meatless Mondays has been implemented at one of the dining halls because of student-led initiatives to raise awareness of the environmental, health, and economic implications of a meat-based diet, and the dining hall has signage for the initiative.
None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Sustainable Grounds Signage
No
A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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Sustainable Walking Map or Tour
Yes
None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The Williams College interactive map has a layer that identifies Sustainability features across campus. To further highlight this information, during the fall of 2018 and Winter of 2019 a student led two "Sustainability Walking Tours" around campus that pointed out features including buildings, community engagement, water, transportation, waste, landscaping/grounds/food growth, energy. The digital map also has a feature for self-guided tours and the sustainability walking tour is available there with audio recordings that lead an individual through it.
None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Guide for Commuters
Yes
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
The Guide has a list of the available transportation around campus or to local communities such as North Adams or Pittsfield or farther cities such as Boston, Albany, or NYC. Each link includes how-to instructions, potential destinations, costs, and environmental benefits/costs of the transportation method listed.
Many students make environmentally-conscious choices when planning their trips away from the Williams College campus. Whether your destination is North Adams, Albany, Boston, or beyond, this database presents reasonably priced and sustainable transportation options for any trip.
Williams College is a transportation hub: students travel to and from campus during breaks, faculty and staff commute to work, clubs and sports make regular off-campus trips, visitors come to attractions like WCMA and the Clark, and students make trips around the Berkshires for shopping and entertainment.
When Williams College students make environmentally-conscious travel choices, they not only demonstrate their commitment to the environment but also contribute to campus culture and set an example for their peers. The listing below makes it easy for students to minimize fossil fuel use and prioritize sustainability in the midst of their busy lives.
The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Materials for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Yes
None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Purple Bike Coalition (PBC) helps fix your bike while teaching you how to fix your bike on your own. As increasing general public knowledge of bike repair is a priority of PBC, they have an open hour policy where students work with PBC to repair their own bike. PBC will give students any part they need that is in the shop- from a tube to a new wheel; if PBC doesn’t have it, they’ll happily give students advice on what they need and how to install it.
None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Green Living Guide
Yes
None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Bell Book is the Cliff Notes guide to college living for incoming first years. It includes a webpage about sustainability and it also integrates sustainability into the What to Bring and What Not to Bring lists.
Also, there are news articles in the sustainability website with tips for sustainability in move-in and move-out and then sustainability dorm room tips which are shared at the appropriate times each year.
https://sustainability.williams.edu/news-events/sustainable-moving-in-checklist
None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Other Outreach Materials
Yes
A brief description of these materials or publications:
The Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives maintains an active blog on sustainability issues. Staff and students contribute, writing both about issues relating to Williams and broader sustainability issues.
The website URL for these materials or publications:
Optional Fields
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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.