Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 35.74
Liaison Amy Brunvand
Submission Date Aug. 11, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

University of Utah
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Myron Willson
Sustainability Director
Sustainability Office
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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 Office of Sustainability's website acts as an information clearing house for sustainability-related issues at the university and community. The website promotes environmentally responsible practices, sustainability-related campus and community events, and encourages sustainable behaviors at the University and in the community. The website also acts as a public medium in accessing the University of Utah Climate Action Plan.


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 sustainability newsletter is sent out to its subscribers once a month and features recent student projects, a feature piece, and a "sustainability hero of the month" detailing the outstanding sustainability efforts of some member of the University of Utah.


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:

The Office of Sustainability's website includes a page that highlights sustainability-related research happening at the U, including the professors overseeing the research, the objectives of the projects, and links to the project websites. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) support student research, hosts poster sessions, and publishes results annually; sustainability-related research is often included.


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 Sill Center (Undergraduate Studies), has a building energy display monitor that tracks the solar panel output. There are several posters next to the monitor that describe other sustainability retrofits of the building, including the landscaping (one of the two Edible Campus Garden sites) and the lighting retrofits.


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:

Signs in the student union building cafeteria highlight that the cafeteria uses packaging derived from plants and that remind patrons to take only what they need from the napkin and utensil stations. Also in the cafeteria are prominent banners promoting local food sourcing and that bring attention to the new water bottle filling stations.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:

Two student projects funded by the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund (SCIF) installed rain gardens to reduce stormwater runoff and expand xeriscape plantings on campus. Both gardens include signage, and are also featured on the 2011 campus sustainability map.


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

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The sustainability walking map of campus was created in 2011 by student interns and staff of the Office of Sustainability. It has been included as a part of orientation for new students, and the map will also be available online at the Office of Sustainability website.


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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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 University of Utah commuter services website highlights a number of transportation alternatives fro reaching the U, including Utah Transit Authority passes available to U students and faculty, U car share information, campus shuttle maps and trackers and U ride share carpooling options. Starting with a pilot in 2010 and expanded to all in 2011, new students receive a mailing that directs them to a website that gives directions on how to find housing near transit stops and the various alternative transportation options available to them.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

The Office of Sustainability provides a sustainable living guide on its webpage for all staff and students to use as a reference. Also, the residence halls do have sustainability floor in which participating residents appropriate sustainable living habits throughout the school year.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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:

The Office of Sustainability includes a link to their facebook page on which the sustainability outreach coordinator regularly posts sustainability news from around campus and the city. SCIF (sustainable campus initiative fund) also has a facebook web page as well as a twitter account and youtube channel for providing regular updates concerning SCIF projects and upcoming events. The Staff and Faculty bi-weekly newsletter FYI includes regular energy conservation and sustainability features.


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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
No

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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
No

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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
No

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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
No

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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
No

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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
No

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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
No

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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.