Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.71
Liaison Jeffrey Severin
Submission Date July 17, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Kansas
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Kim Criner
Education & Outreach Coordinator
Center for Sustainability
"---" 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 Yes
Social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability Yes
A vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability No
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 Yes
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 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 No
Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website:

The KU Center for Sustainability Website provides information about campus sustainability initiatives, opportunities for involvement, and sustainability-related events, as well as links to sustainability reports and other resources. The site catalogs past and ongoing efforts by a range of campus departments to address issues of sustainability through education, research, operations, and campus life.


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The Sustainability Spotlight* newsletter includes news about sustainability activities on campus and a listing of upcoming campus and community events. The Spotlight is published monthly and distributed by KU's sustainability ambassadors to campus departments and is also available on the Center for Sustainability website.

*Newsletter is currently on hold but was active during reporting period.


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

The Center for Sustainability maintains Facebook and Twitter accounts to share information about campus and community sustainability initiatives and events. We also utilize social media as a way to disseminate graphics, flyers, and photos of events as a more interactive way of engaging students, faculty and staff.

1. www.facebook.com/KUSustainability
2. www.twitter.com/SustainKU


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

The new engineering building, the Measurement, Materials and Sustainable Environment Center, was designed with exposed mechanical systems and windows into labs so that students and visitors could see what happens in the labs, how the building functions and details about energy efficiency.

LEED Platinum building, the Ecohawks Research facility includes descriptive signage of its green building features, including materials, energy, landscape, lighting and more.


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:

KU Dining provides signage about local and sustainable food initiatives at point of service locations, on flyers, posters, table tents and menu boards, as well as on their website and in their annual brochure. Their major initiatives displayed include sourcing of local ingredients on a regional origin map, recycling, composting of coffee grounds with our Student Farm, and pre-consumer composting in residence hall dining facilities. They also widely promote wellness and provide options and support for dietary restrictions.


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 KU Student Rain Garden in front of the Ambler Recreation Center and the recently reconstructed Lot 54 both have interpretive signage to inform students, staff, faculty, and visitors about sustainable features of the projects.


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

The Center for Sustainability works in close partnership with Parking & Transit to promote policies and practices that encourage public or campus transit as well as biking. Web and print resources include marked routes, routes with easiest terrain, bus schedules, points of connectivity, safety tips, community resources and club opportunities, and more.


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 Center for Sustainability provides students with a City of Lawrence and KU Campus Bicycle Rideability Map at informational events throughout the year. For example, all new students are offered a rideability map when they attend the New Student Orientation information fair. During Campus Sustainability Week in October, one day is devoted to bicyclist education and events are held to help students know how to perform bicycle maintenance. The Center for Sustainability website also has a comprehensive bike tab, including information about bike safety, maps, clubs, maintenance, and much more. We also promote Bike Month in May, using social media to distribute the resources mentioned and more to encourage biking.


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:

Student Housing advises students that we endeavor to be green and encourage them to do the same. KU recycling provides recycle bins for all floors of residence halls as well. At the end of the academic year students are encouraged to donate gently used items to a charity with a collection site in the halls.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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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:
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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:
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A brief description of another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above (1st material):

"KU Today” highlights University news and prioritizes sustainability by providing a Sustainability & Environment tab where sustainable projects and research are featured in press releases.


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):

As an incentive for participating in our Hawk Week activity, the Center for Sustainability provides reusable bags, napkins, water bottles, and mugs with the campus sustainability emblem printed on them.


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):
Yes

A brief description of this material (3rd material):

The KU Alumni Association and the KU Endowment Association published articles about the Replant Mount Oread campus tree bank and tree planting initiative in their publications.


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):
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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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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.