| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.27 |
| Liaison | Konrad Schlarbaum |
| Submission Date | Feb. 15, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
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):
The institution maintains a 'Campus Sustainability' web site. The site provides information on the university's pursuit of sustainability in education, research, operations, leadership and community engagement. Sustainability subjects addressed on the website are listed below:
About Us
Chancellor's Message
History
Strategic Planning
Community Engagement
Sustainability Office
Mission
Staff
Activities
Opportunities
Office Resources
Education & Research
Sustainable Development Minor
Energy Science Minor
Faculty & Staff Development Research
Library Resources
Operations & Initiatives
Buildings
Climate
Energy
Equity
Food
Transportation
Water
Waste/Recycling
Campaigns and Events
Take Action!
Students
Faculty & Staff
Volunteer Opportunities
Resources
What is Sustainability?
Careers
Community Resources
Campus Sustainability Websites
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Office of Sustainability Newsletter is sent out at least once each semester via email to students, faculty, staff, and community members.This recaps recent UCCS events, programs, initiatives and other news that incorporate sustainability on campus and in the community.
Additionally, the Office of Sustainability also maintains a Constant Contact email list to highlight volunteer and event opportunities.
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:
Social Media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram are used to keep students and staff engaged and up to date on UCCS's sustainability efforts.
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:
The Scribe, UCCS's main newspaper, regularly reports on campus sustainability. There are normally 1-2 reporters assigned to sustainability issues each semester.
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 campus sustainability web site has a link that sends students to the regularly updated Kraemer Family Library LibGuide. This LibGuide focuses on the topic of sustainability and highlights student research under the section Sustainability at UCCS and in the section Student Research. Older dissertations and theses are included with a reference number in the library. Newer research is available from the site online. Post 2015. This collection will be updated with more titles as they are submitted.
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 current LEED certified buildings (11) have posters, signs, and brochures that highlight and explain green or LEED features. Some buildings also have LCD screens in the lobbies with LEED information, features, and real time energy and renewable energy data. These are also available online. http://www.uccs.edu/kiosk/seng. The Osborne Science & Engineering building has a self-guided 23 point tour for green features in the building.
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:
From the brochure:
Sustainability Practices at Dining and Hospitality Services
From the Latin sustinere to hold up, maintain, support, or endure, sustainability is one of the core values at DHS. We are committed to making well-thought out, strategic choices in our purchasing and operational decision-making with the goal of not compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
These are some of the highlights of how we operate:
Purchasing
Cage-free liquid eggs from Abbotsford Farms
Organic, Rainforest certified coffee roasted in Denver, along with single origin Kenyan Coffee from the Harambee Foundation
Organic salad greens and spinach
Antibiotic-free chicken and beef from Red Bird, Coleman, Ranch Foods Direct, and Frontier Valley Meats
Local farms such as Arkansas Valley Organic Growers and our own Greenhouse
Sustainable seafood from Sea to Table and Seattle Seafood, including Marine Stewardship Council certified
Dairy from Meadow Gold Dairy – rBGH free
Bread from Harvest Moon Bakery
100% of Clyde’s beers and wine are made in Colorado
Small local producers like Front Range Granola, Blue Moon Pesto and Granola, Elevation Ketchup, Rocky Mountain Soda, BoBo Bars, Haystack Mountain Cheese Company, Two Leaves Tea Company, Extraordinary Ingredients,
Cleaning, Dishware, and Eco-Friendly Incentives
Reusable containers in Retail from OZZI
Residential dining halls are tray-less
Compostable wares for Retail and Catering
Reusable mug incentive in Retail operations
No Styrofoam or plastic used
Elimination of plain bottled water and installation of bottle faucets
Green chemicals from Diversey
Green chemicals from Ecolab
Food Composting and Diversion
All dining operations compost pre and post-consumer waste, either on-campus or through commercial operators.
Food waste audits are conducted on an ongoing basis in Residential Dining.
Perishable food is donated to the Colorado Springs Food Rescue. Much of the food is delivered by volunteers to a variety of local organizations utilizing bike trailers.
Facilities
Our new Roaring Fork Dining Hall will be certified LEED Gold.
New equipment or updates include smart hood systems, Energy Star appliances, LED and motion-sensor lighting, and water-saving dish machines.
The Dyson Airblade is available to use in the Roaring Fork dining hall and costs an average of $43 to run for a year. That’s up to 97% less than paper towels.
Recycling
Recycle all materials such as cans, cardboard, plastics (1-7) and glass
We work with Filta to micro-filter our fryer oil, extending usable life. Filta then recycles the used oil and turns into biodiesel.
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:
UCCS is a member of Plant Select® program. The purpose of Plant Select is to seek out, identify and distribute the best plants for Colorado landscapes and climate given our very semi-arid environment. Being a member offers us more opportunities to educate students, faculty, staff, and the community about plants that thrive in local landscapes. UCCS also labels native plant species and practices xeriscaping. Native landscapes on the bluffs have been set aside as part of LEED projects.
When the Green Action Fund provided money for a pilot project for a more sustainable irrigation system, a sign was made to educate the campus community about the project.
A new trail that was completed, Tava, has interpretive and conservation signage along the way. Numerous trees are labeled on campus to teach the campus community about viable trees.
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:
UCCS has an interactive, sustainability walking map for a self-guided tour and the Office of Sustainability periodically hosts tours for the campus and community. Numerous features include past student projects funded by the Green Action Fund, a student fee directed by students.
The Office of Sustainability also provides sustainability talking points and locations for the general campus tours that are given daily.
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 sustainable transportation web site provides information on mass transit, bicycling, carshare, and carpool options. An upcoming overhaul of the website will put multi-modal commuting on the front page and move parking to a tab.
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:
Pedal Perks, UCCS' bicycle commuter incentive program, website provides resources for cyclists getting to campus and around campus, including bike repair stands, public showers, and the library's bike lock borrowing program. There is also a downloadable bike map on this site. The university have 5 Dero zap stations to record bike commuter trips and to provide rewards.
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:
As UCCS resident students check into on-campus housing they are provided with flyers which contain information about green living. The Sustainability Office staff conducted a green living training of the Residence Assistants who then trained all of the residents. Furthermore, there is a guide to living green on the UCCS Residence Life website.
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:
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.