| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.20 |
| Liaison | Olivia Shehan |
| Submission Date | Dec. 24, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Wellesley College
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Sharon
Bort Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability |
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 | No |
| 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 | 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:
This webpage outlines the College’s sustainability goals (which has been approved by the President of the College), information resources for students and staff, as well as general information and updates on both implemented and on-going sustainability projects. These projects range from landscape, installation of solar panels, and building renovations, to collaborations with other departments and offices such as Dining Services, and student events and research.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
Each week, the Environmental Studies Department in conjunction with the Office of Sustainability distributes an electronic newsletter, "The Wellesley Center for the Environment Newsletter", to the Wellesley community, which acts as a virtual manifestation of the proposed Center for the Environment. The newsletter contains current news and announcements, detailed schedules of upcoming events both on and off-campus, and comprehensive lists of internship and job opportunities.
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:
The Office of Sustainability maintains a twitter feed and facebook page to post events, announcements, celebrate accomplishments and connect with students, alumnae, and other departments. https://twitter.com/Sustainable_WC
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 Tanner and Rulhman Conferences (in the fall and the spring semesters respectively) are communal, public events where students have an opportunity to present their work to an unusually wide audience, including on and off campus guests. By providing an opportunity for public presentation of what is often a private, isolated activity, the conference demonstrates that research can be part of the ongoing conversation in a community of scholars. Many of these presentations deal with broad topics of sustainability.
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 newly modernized Alumnae Hall building was renovated to LEED Gold standards, and there is a plaque which highlights this certification. There is also a powerpoint presentation on permanent display of the LEED process for this particular building. There are also signs for the photovoltaic solar array located on the athletic fields.
Additionally, there are stickers on light switches in some dorms reminding students to turn off the lights when they do not need them, as well as signs in some bathrooms urging students to shorten the length of their showers and in general conserve water.
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:
AVI is Wellesley College's food provider, locally known as Wellesley Fresh.
There are a variety of signs in the dining hall indicating whether the food being served is local, organic, fair trade, vegan, vegetarian, allergen free, etc. The College's dining service also maintains a website which details their green practices and goals.
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:
No, given the naturalistic nature of the Wellesley College campus, signage is mandated to be minimized. There is value in less. Additionally, there is an online database of the trees on campus.
Although, we said yes because the arboretum on campus does contain limited signage.
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:
While there is not a complete sustainability map, we offer sustainability tours for major prospective student events. We also have bikeshare map and a map of the hydration stations and water hook ups for our water dispensers (Wells on Wheels).
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:
In regards to students we are almost a completely residential campus (92% live on campus), so there are not many commuters. For those who do commute, there are public transportation options available.
For faculty and staff we do provide guidance on public transportation options and sustainable commuting alternatives.
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 Office of Sustainability provides a free bikeshare program to students, faculty, and staff. There are additional resources on our website.
We are a part of the Wellesley Trails system that also provides brochures and guides for paths around Wellesley.
Wellesley College also maintains extensive walking paths around campus and around Lake Waban. http://academics.wellesley.edu/Biology/Web/naturewalk.html
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 of Sustainability gives out a number of 'Green Living Tips' brochures to First-Years during Orientation and other tabling events throughout the year, which include information on how to reduce personal energy usage on-campus and various sustainable lifestyle recommendations. This is also an important role for the eco reps and eco rep coordinators.
The Office of Sustainability also created a Sustainable Living Certification that outlines the steps to take to live more sustainably on campus.
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:
We do not have a regular column, but frequently communicate with the Wellesley newspaper on sustainability news and announcements. The Office of Sustainability has been featured about 5 times over the course of the year.
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 Science Center common space is designated for sustainable demonstrations on a semi-permanent rotating basis.
The website URL for this material (1st material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
A brief description of this material (2nd material):
Resident Assistants and Eco-reps work together in the residence halls to keep updated bulletin boards with sustainability messages and tips.
The website URL for this material (2nd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
A brief description of this material (3rd material):
The Wellesley College Botanical Garden has a bi-annual newsletter, "Friends of Horticulture", containing articles written by staff, students, faculty, volunteers, and alumnae. Articles written by students, staff, faculty, volunteers, and alumnae on sustainability.
The website URL for this material (3rd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
A brief description of this material (4th material):
The college's electronic communication server (such as google groups) contains a sustainability forum accessible to students, faculty and staff.
The website URL for this material (4th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
A brief description of this material (5th material):
The website URL for this material (5th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
A brief description of this material (6th material):
The website URL for this material (6th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
A brief description of this material (7th material):
The website URL for this material (7th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
A brief description of this material (8th material):
The website URL for this material (8th 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.