Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.11
Liaison Cindy Shea
Submission Date Jan. 31, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Cindy Shea
Director, Sustainability Office
Campus Enterprises
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Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:

The UNC Sustainability Office's website is the central sustainability website for the University. All information about sustainable initiatives throughout the University is consolidated on this website. There are interactive online and PDF maps of sustainable features; information on high performance buildings, infrastructure, and business practices related to energy, water, waste management, transportation, and purchasing; academic information including sustainability-related course offerings and research; contacts for sustainability-related student organizations; and suggestions for adopting more sustainable behaviors. The site also provides a calendar of sustainability-related events on UNC's campus and in the surrounding community.

In 2009, a new website and logo were launched to provide a central portal to all things green at Carolina. "Carolina Green" is a "directory of all things sustainable at UNC Chapel Hill," including student government initiatives, academic departments, guidance for green events, and a wide range of campus programs and departments. http://carolinagreen.unc.edu/


The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The University's Sustainability Office maintains an online newsletter via the Sustainability Listserv. "Sustainability Update" is sent out weekly and contains information about upcoming events and workshops (at campus, local, regional, and national levels), jobs and internships, sustainability news from around campus and across the state, and a sustainable tip of the week. As of fall 2010, there are 1,400 subscribers.


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:

Capstone Research Projects are conducted by teams of undergraduate students in their junior or senior years, either on campus or at one of the Institute for the Environment field sites in North Carolina and abroad. Topics for the projects are selected from recommendations by Community Advisory Boards and other clients and focus on a significant sustainability issue requiring broad, interdisciplinary research. The projects are a learning experience for students, a chance for them to conduct team-based research typical of professional practice, and the Institute's way of using the expertise of Carolina to help find solutions to the issues facing communities. Capstone reports are presented in an open session at the end of the semester and posted on the Institute for the Environment’s website.
http://www.ie.unc.edu/content/education/courses/capstone.cfm

The CSE Knowledge Bank is a free resource offered to the public by UNC Kenan-Flagler's Center for Sustainable Enterprise (CSE). The Knowledge Bank includes scholarly research from UNC business faculty and students on a broad range of sustainability topics including design for sustainability, microfinance, sustainable tourism, and more.

http://www.kenaninstitute.unc.edu/cseResources/index.asp


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?:
Yes

A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :

The addition to Carrington Hall at the School of Nursing contains signage on sustainable building features including water-efficient plumbing fixtures, the green roof, the CO2 sensor in the auditorium, local and renewable materials, and materials that do not off gas so improve indoor air quality. The building also sports a LEED plaque from the US Green Building Council.

Dozens of buildings across campus contain signage on the water savings associated with dual flush toilets and waterfree urinals. The School of Government building contains signage related to water-efficient plumbing fixtures, recycling bins, and energy-efficient hand dryers. Three new lab buildings, with variable air volume fume hoods, have magnets on the hoods that alert users to close the sash when the hood is not in use.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

The two main dining halls on campus, Lenoir Hall and Rams Head Dining Hall, have signs providing information about composting of food wastes, local food options, and recycling.


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 grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
No

A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The Sustainability Walking Tour is a 2.3-mile loop that highlights many of the sustainable features on UNC’s campus. The downloadable map, and brochures that describe buildings on the tour, are available on the Sustainability Office website.


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:

The Commuter Alternatives Program (CAP) guide, published by the Department of Public Safety, highlights the benefits of the program as well as providing information on availability, and how to use, alternative methods of transportation such as car/vanpooling and public transportation. Maps of Chapel Hill Transit bus lines that serve campus are included. In addition, the "Students Guide to Transportation & Parking at UNC" highlights the limited parking availability on campus and provides information about alternate modes such as park and ride, public transit, campus shuttle, bicycling, and walking. Brochures can be obtained online, at the DPS building on campus, or by calling in a request.


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Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
No

A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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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)?:
No

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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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

Campus Sustainability Report - Every two years, UNC's Sustainability Office publishes a Campus Sustainability Report, which showcases the University’s sustainable initiatives and achievements. The 2009 Report highlights efforts in many different areas: climate change, water management, food purchasing, research, public service and engagement, globalization, diversity, energy management, student organizations, and many more. The report is available in print and online.


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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (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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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.