| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.78 |
| Liaison | Amber Saxton |
| Submission Date | Sept. 1, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
George Mason University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Mary
Liang Sustainability Analyst Sustainability |
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):
George Mason University's central web site for sustainability (green.gmu.edu) is managed by its Office of Sustainability. This website features sections on operational sustainability, student involvement opportunities, as well as ways for faculty and staff to get involved.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
GREENovation was the Environmental Science and Policy department's newsletter, which highlights different sustainability projects and research being implemented on campus by faculty and staff. GREENovation is published every semester by the department, and is located online.
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 George Mason University Office of Sustainability Facebook and Twitter pages keep the Mason and greater community informed about sustainability initiatives, programs, and events. It is used to highlight campaigns and exceptional work of Mason offices and community members as well. The Facebook page has over 1,000 'likes' followers, with nearly 1,000 Twitter followers.
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:
George Mason University's main student newspaper, the Fourth Estate, does have students who regularly cover sustainability issues in the student newspaper. Each year, a student who has an interest in sustainability issues usually voluntarily chooses that beat.
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:
GREENovation publishes student research in conservation, environment and sustainability studies.
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 :
As part of LEED projects completed on campus, detailed signage has been included to inform building users the intent behind the building's design, specific environmental features, construction techniques, and operation methods the high performance green buildings employ.
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:
George Mason's student dining halls promote sustainable practices through various ways, including large posters and signs on sustainable foods at entrances and exits, rotating weekly signs above the food counters to indicate the week's local food options, and signage when the produce was grown in Mason's hydroponics greenhouse on-campus.
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:
At George Mason University, the bumblebee and butterfly havens, wildflower areas, organic gardens, restoration sites, and rain-gardens have signage that describes the sustainable feature, provides the Mason community with specific instructions on interacting with the area, as well as other educational information.
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:
George Mason University offers a self-guided sustainability tour of its Fairfax campus on the sustainability website and has also conducted tours for special events like conferences and orientation days.
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:
George Mason University's Transportation homepage prominently features links to biking, shuttles/buses, carpool/vanpool, zipcar/zimride maps, and other information. Parking and Transportation also offers a guide with parking tips as well as a brief guide to each of the alternative transportation choices offered on campus.
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:
Mason offers a free bicycle registration program which includes a new bike lock, a coupon to a local bike store, and Virginia specific rules of the road and safety information. Bike lanes, racks, pumps, and shelters are mapped out for cyclists and pedestrians. A Mason area bike route map is also available on the transportation website.
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:
A green guide was created to educate a student on how to incorporate sustainability into their life and lifestyle. Also, an orientation publication, Freshman Focus, highlights how incoming freshman can get involved in on-campus sustainability.
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:
Sustainability in George Mason University's academic programs are featured on its Sustainability Studies web site, including programs, courses, and pertinent scholarship funding opportunities.
The website URL for these materials or publications:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data is for FY17.
Data is for FY17.
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.