| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 51.13 |
| Liaison | Parker Long |
| Submission Date | July 25, 2012 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Virginia Commonwealth University
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Jacek
Ghosh Director of Sustainability VCU Sustainability |
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
The VCU Goes Green website is a centralized source to find information on sustainability in and around the university. The website highlights recent initiatives and upcoming events. The website is also a resource for sustainability information, links, and ways to get involved.
The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Individual research departments have their own vehicles to disseminate student research. VCU News also picks up stories regarding student sustainability research.
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?:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
There is signage at all LEED buildings that highlights individual green features as well as LEED rating. There are 27 signs alone at the Cary Street Gym that touch on everything from land preservation, to water efficiency, to recycled materials used in building construction.
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
VCU Dining Services has come up with a brochure that highlights their sustainable food initiatives including buying local, serving all trayless meals, and using a solar powered trash compactor.
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?:
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
There is signage at the Harris Hall Rain Garden, xeriscaped (bayscaping) landscaping and Arbor Day tree plantings that highlight sustainable grounds-keeping strategies.
The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The VCU Green Map is a Sustainability Walking Map that highlihghts sustainable assets, including buildings, food, and open space and surrounding commercial entities.
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?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Green Unity 4 VCU drafted an Alternate Transportation Guide. This guide highlights the alternative modes of transportation such as: bikes, busses, and walking. VCU also has two Mobility Hub Kiosks oneach campus that have information on alternative transportation.
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?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The guide was created to provide the VCU community with resources that could aid in everyday life, from water consumption to waste reduction. Every action we take has a consequence that can easily be reduced. This guide provides easy tips for making small lifestyle adjustments that will lessen your personal ecological footprint, and therefore reduce the campus footprint as a whole.
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)?:
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 events and projects are highlighted in stories in the VCU student newspaper, Commonwealth Times (CT). In 2010 there were almost 40 stories featured on VCU Sustainability and almost every issue had some coverage.
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:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
A brief description of this material:
VCU Sustainability also has a Facebook page to interact with students in real-time. Facebook facilitates an easy way to highlight VCU sustainable assets and detail the strides the university is making as well as connecting with students.
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
A brief description of this material:
VCU Goes Green has a blog that is updated with events and news.
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
A brief description of this material:
VCU produced a Move-Out Guide for students with information on what is recyclable and where to drop-off recycling when they move out at the end of an academic year.
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
A brief description of this material:
The website URL for this 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.