| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.64 |
| Liaison | Yolanda Cieters |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Seattle University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Phillip
Thompson Director CEJS |
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):
Seattle University's sustainability web site has information on campus operations, academics, the President's Committee for Sustainability and how to get involved in sustainability practices on campus.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Center for Environmental Justice (CEJS) publishes its newsletter once per quarter with an aim to keep readers up-to-date on Seattle University's environmental justice and sustainability efforts.
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 CEJS administers a Facebook page to keep campus members up-to-date on local sustainability events, educational and professional opportunities, new campus projects, as well as notable local and international sustainability initiatives.
CEJS is also on Instagram, relaying information about sustainability events, highlights, and other sustainability related content.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/su_cejs/?hl=en
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:
Although there is no column designated to feature sustainability, the student newspaper (weekly) "The Spectator" frequently produces articles regarding sustainability. For example, in just Fall 2018, there were 6 articles discussing sustainability.
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 Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability awarded 2-4 fellowships annually (prior to AY17) for graduate and undergraduate student research related to sustainability. At the end of the academic year, students were required to present their research at an annual undergraduate or graduate student presentation. Each students' research is described on the CEJS website.
SU Students' research is published in the SU Undergrad Research Journal (SUURJ) including research related to sustainability.
Link: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/suurj/
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 4 LEED Gold buildings on campus each have a large interpretive sign in front to explain the green building strategies used.
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:
Bon Appetit has computer display with information on how and why they source sustainable food and how people can eat more sustainably. Bon Appetit also has table tents that describe their sustainability efforts on dining tables.
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 Biodiversity Garden has an educational sign explaining a variety of principles used to increase local biodiversity, including displays of plants that attract beneficial insects and birds, shade tolerant native plants that are good alternatives for other ground covers (such as ivy), and the benefits of mulching and composting for increasing soil biodiversity. The Lee Miley Rain Garden has an educational sign explaining its purpose, benefits, and how it functions.
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:
The Seattle University Campus Edibles Map is a self-guided walking tour of 11 campus locations where fruits, vegetables and herbs are integrated into the landscape for campus members and the public to pick and eat.
Sustainability tours are offered by CEJS and Facilities staff:
(a) A tour of Seattle University's 4 LEED Gold buildings to learn more about sustainability in the built environment. The tour features a raingarden, a chilled beam that cools the computer lab, a raised floor supplying warm air near occupants’ feet, sustainable materials and water efficient fixtures.
(b) A tour of the Bullitt Center, the greenest commercial building in the world, located just a few blocks from SU campus.
(c) A tour of SU's gardens highlighting SU's sustainable Grounds practices, edible gardens, compost tea operation and garden history.
(d) A tour of the onsite Composting facility where employees learn how SU annually turns 178,000 pounds of food waste into compost.
For more information about the tours: https://www.seattleu.edu/cejs/su-campus--bullitt-center-tours/
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:
The Transportation and Parking Services web site has information on: all the incentives available to campus members on how to take alternative transportation to campus, links to 3 online transit planners, Seattle bike maps and safe routes and how to register your bike.
Seattle University's commute trip reduction program has been recognized by King County Metro as a Diamond Award Winner for its strong contribution to commute trip reduction.
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 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 "Green Living Guide" is geared towards informing student residents how to easily adjust daily habits and how to live sustainably. Some highlights from the guide are recycling/compost how-tos; how to conserve water and energy; and on campus initiatives such as the 20cent discount for beverages when you bring your own mug. There is information referring the reader to other resources as well.
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:
There is an infographic on the landing page for Campus Sustainability summing up the steps taken and reached by Seattle University towards a more sustainable campus.
There is a video on the Campus Sustainability landing page highlighting a variety of ways SU is sustainable such as the student push to ban plastic water bottles on campus and EJS projects students have completed abroad.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFfrdAWWCmY
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.