| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.35 |
| Liaison | Christa Rieck |
| Submission Date | Nov. 23, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Houston
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
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 | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation | Yes |
| Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians | No |
| 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 | No |
| Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above | Yes |
A brief description of the central sustainability website:
The sustainability website is managed by Office of Sustainability staff and includes information about the staff, campus initiatives, relevant news, academics, research, and more. The home page banners are updated regularly with upcoming events.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The UH sustainability newsletter, called the Sustainable Coog, was relaunched in Fall 2014 as a monthly online publication and is sent to faculty, staff, students, alumni and others interested in sustainability at UH and in general.
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:
The University of Houston Office of Sustainability manages several social media platforms to encourage sustainable behavior, publish UH sustainability successes, promote local and campus events, and posts relevant sustainability news (local, regional and global). Social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
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:
Student research projects are included on social media, the sustainability newsletter and blog.
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 :
The Cougar Woods dining hall is LEED Silver certified. Digital screens in the facility highlight the green building features.
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:
Sustainable food system information is included in both campus dining halls on digital screens and printed handouts. Examples of sustainable food system information that's incorporated in the dining halls can be found on the UH dining sustainability web page.
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:
The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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:
The University of Houston parking website includes a webpage with all of the alternative methods of transportation to access the university (with the exception of university organized carpools and biking information).
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 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 hosts a page on the sustainability website specifically for sustainable living. This website is marketed to everyone on campus, not just UH residents, so they can incorporate these practices wherever they live. Additionally, the information listed on the sustainable living website is incorporated in the standard presentation given to groups on campus. A printed guide was initially planned but the office decided to print a bookmark instead to practice what we preach. The bookmark listed 5 sustainable living tips and included the link for more information.
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:
Sustainability is consistently covered in the Cougar, UH's student-run newspaper. However, there is not a regular column or reporter assigned a sustainability beat. Instead, sustainability is included regularly in several columns and by several reporters.
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):
The Office of Sustainability also manages a biweekly blog that is targeted to students and green living. Office of Sustainability student staff use the blog to target campus members by writing with their unique voice rather than the typical news writing voice that's found in other sustainability publications on campus.
The website URL for this material (1st material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
A brief description of this material (2nd material):
The Office of Sustainability created a video to highlight sustainability initiatives on campus. The video was shown at New Student Orientations in 2014.
The website URL for this material (2nd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
A brief description of this material (3rd material):
The Office of Sustainability has a general flyer that highlights sustainability initiatives and the mission of the office.
The website URL for this material (3rd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
A brief description of this material (4th material):
The Office of Sustainability and Facilities Management created a map of all water bottle filling stations on campus.
The website URL for this material (4th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
A brief description of this material (5th material):
The website URL for this material (5th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
A brief description of this material (6th material):
The website URL for this material (6th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
A brief description of this material (7th material):
The website URL for this material (7th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
A brief description of this material (8th material):
The website URL for this material (8th material):
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.