Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 77.24
Liaison Jim Dees
Submission Date June 10, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Appalachian State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution produce the following outreach materials and/or publications that foster sustainability learning and knowledge? :
Yes or No
A central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution’s sustainability efforts Yes
A sustainability newsletter No
Social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability Yes
A vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability Yes
Building signage that highlights green building features Yes
Food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems Yes
Signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed No
A sustainability walking map or tour Yes
A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation Yes
Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians Yes
A guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience Yes
Regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat Yes
Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website:

The university's sustainability website strives to be a clearinghouse for all things sustainable within the university: academic and research offerings, events, news (local and regional) student involvement, and sustainability initiatives, both institutional and student-based.


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:

The Office of Sustainability has a dedicated communications officers who is responsible for coordinating and updating social media platforms of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These outlets allow for the office to reach a broader range of students and the community and provide real-time updates and reminders of events and opportunities related to sustainability at Appalachian State.


The website URL of the primary social media platform that focuses on sustainability:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:

Annually, Appalachian hosts the Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors. The Celebration showcases and encourages meaningful research in all disciplines by undergraduates and graduate students at Appalachian. Last year (2013), over 100 students representing over 20 departments presented their results in either a performance, platform talk, or poster.


The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :

Appalachian's student union features signage regarding reduced water flow on its sink faucets and signage about the dual flush toilets. There is also signage at the special items recycling area indicating special items. At the water bottle refilling station, signage indicates the importance of reusing a water bottle. On the paper towel dispensers, "These Come from Trees" stickers are displayed. The student union is home to a large sustainability board available for students, faculty and staff to display material and information. The student union also hosts the Renewable Energy Initiative information kiosk, displaying information about all the renewable energy projects on campus.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

Appalachian Food Services created a flier about ways in which Food Services has gone "green". Reduce, reuse, recycle is the theme of the flier. Signage is in place at every dining facility on campus asking patrons for their support of campus sustainability initiatives. The signs make recommendations for doing so, like bring your own cup/mug and recycles bottles here.


The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
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The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
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A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The walking map/tour is a virtual map. It was designed by a student in 2010. Sustainable Strides is designed to communicate not only about physical locations of sustainable activities/measures, but also about sustainable technology and or commitments.


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:

On the university's sustainability website, there is a page dedicated to alternative transportation at Appalachian. Listed is information about mass transit, ridesharing, car sharing, biking and motor pool. The guide for Sustainable Living for students, developed by the Office of Sustainability, includes information about mass transit and bicycling and encourages students to consider these options.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

The University Outdoor Programs office organizes educational events, rallies, and both local and out of town bicycling trips for bicyclists. They also provide maps of various bicycle trails throughout the region.

Outdoor Programs has teamed up with the Office of Sustainability to promote alternative methods of transportation, such as bicycling, by providing safety education material and by funding and maintaining free "bike repair stations" at several locations on campus in an attempt to foster more non-vehicle commuters.


The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

The Office of Sustainability has developed a guide for student green living, which seeks to develop sustainable behaviors for sustainable living while in college and transferable beyond college. The guide displays tips regarding transportation, purchasing and waste, energy and water. The guide also asks students to take the 'Sustainable Living Pledge' and sign electronically. This encourages students to follow through with sustainable principles discussed in the guide as well as helps to show the growing population that is committed to making sustainable living a priority.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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:

There is a student dedicated to the sustainability beat. The student newspaper is printed twice a week and is also available online.


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:
A brief description of another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above (1st material):

2013 Sustainability Yearbook catalogs Appalachian State's sustainability progress through engaged students, academics and research, and campus initiatives.


The website URL for this material (1st material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (2nd material):

Faculty Sustainable Research Forum- In an effort to highlight the sustainability-focused scholarly activities of Appalachian’s distinguished faculty, the university will present the 1st Annual Sustainability Research Forum on October 22nd (National Campus Sustainability Day). In support of the 2014-2019 Appalachian State University strategic plan, The Appalachian Experience: Envisioning a Just and Sustainable Future, this forum will demonstrate Appalachian’s commitment to sustainability by showcasing the sustainability-related peer-reviewed research of three Appalachian scholars in a public forum.


The website URL for this material (2nd material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
No

A brief description of this material (3rd material):
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The website URL for this material (3rd material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
No

A brief description of this material (4th material):
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The website URL for this material (4th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
No

A brief description of this material (5th material):
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The website URL for this material (5th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
No

A brief description of this material (6th material):
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The website URL for this material (6th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
No

A brief description of this material (7th material):
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The website URL for this material (7th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
No

A brief description of this material (8th material):
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The website URL for this material (8th material):
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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