Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 56.59
Liaison Rob Andrejewski
Submission Date Feb. 15, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Richmond
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Rob Andrejewski
Director of Sustainability
Office 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 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 Yes
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 Yes
Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website:

The University of Richmond hosts sustainability web page, which serves as a sustainability portal for the entire university. It includes information on the history of sustainability at the University of Richmond, links to commitments and reports, ways to get involved, green actions people can adopt, information on campus operational sustainability, academics and research, and ways to communicate. The homepage has an embedded event calendar, which features speakers, events, and opportunities to engage in sustainability activities. The operations pages include information on LEED-certified buildings, efforts to improve waste reduction, as well as links to transportation and dining initiatives.


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

The Office for Sustainability curates a seasonal newsletter, which has its own page on the University's sustainability website. The newsletter highlights current events on campus, features sustainability stories on campus, offers sustainability facts, and contains links to events, opportunities, and other relevant sustainability-related content. The sustainability events calendar and social media feeds are embedded in the newsletter and auto-populate to give them most recent news and opportunities. The entire campus community is made aware of the newsletter each month via a "Spiderbyte" - the University's internal email alert system - through social media, and via an email if they subscribe to the sustainability listserv.


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

The Communications Intern in the Office for Sustainability manages the sustainability social media outreach. The office has a Facebook group, Twitter page, Tumblr page, and Instagram page. Events, stories, and general updates populate each of these feeds. Facebook is the main avenue of social media communication and updates are posted multiple times each week. Posts are made about five times each week.


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:

The School of Arts & Sciences hosts an annual Student Symposium every April, which showcases hundreds of student research projects from across the disciplines. The event, held at the Modlin Center for the Arts and the Gottwald Center for the Science, consists of oral presentations, poster sessions, performances and art exhibits and brings out the entire campus community. For the 2015 Student Symposium, faculty from the Environmental Awareness Group evaluated thirty sustainability research projects and awarded prizes for the top three. Press releases and social media posts inform the public about the event. Articles on awards appear in the student newspaper.

The Spatial Analysis Lab in Geographic Information Systems hosts GIS Day each semester, highlighting the work of student researchers. Much of the GIS work is related to land use, conservation, access to food, etc.


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 University of Richmond has six LEED-certified buildings on campus. Each building includes a plaque, as well as signage indicating green features, such as low-flow bathroom fixtures, high-efficiency lighting, and innovating HVAC technologies.


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:

Dining Services is a key partner in sustainability at the University of Richmond. To bring attention to their sustainability efforts, large banners hang in the dining room and in the dish room of the Heilman Dining Center. The banners highlight composting, community service and recycling, as well as outlined local food providers. An oversize poster explains in detail the University's sustainable food systems efforts to consumers. Even though the banners and information are located at the Heilman Dining Center, sustainability is a goal for all food retail operations on campus.


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:

N/A


The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
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A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The sustainability website features an interactive map highlighting campus points related to sustainability activities. The map features LEED buildings, energy projects, transportation, and the community garden.


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 Transportation office created a "Think Outside the Car" Sustainable Transportation Initiatives pamphlet which provides information on free bus passes, the campus transportation hub which provides shuttle tracking screens, University shuttles, bike registration, and carpooling resources. All of this information is also listed on the University's transportation website.

During Transportation Day each semester, Zipcar, Rideshare, bike share, and the bus system are promoted with interactive games and giveaways.


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:

During Bike Week in September of 2015, there was an on-campus ride hosted by President Crutcher, which also featured bike repair services and information from local bike shops. Local group Bike/Walk RVA also came to campus to share information on safe routes to campus and advocacy efforts.


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 for Sustainability developed a Green Room Certification Program that provides UR students with a framework for adopting sustainable living habits in the residence halls and apartments. There are two checklists, one for students who live in residence hall rooms and another for those who live in a suite or apartment.

The sustainability website hosts a page on green living. The site includes information about packing for school, selecting items to bring, and information about sustainability options on campus: http://www.sustainability.richmond.edu/involved/green-living.html


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:

There are frequent stories related to sustainability on campus in the Collegian. All community members are invited to submit story ideas and sustainability stories are frequently covered.


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 for Sustainability has a tumblr, called SustainaBlog, which highlights on campus people and events.


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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
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A brief description of this material (2nd material):

The monthly campus magazine Forum has recently added a sustainability beat.


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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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