Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.01
Liaison Paul Mathisen
Submission Date May 23, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Liz Tomaszewski
Facilities Systems Manager/Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Department
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 (optional):

Our sustainability website provides information about the Office of Sustainability, sustainability initiatives, and calendar of events, as well as members of the Sustainability Advisory Commitee, Student Sustainability Leaders, and Eco-Reps.


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The Sustainability newsletter, Green@WPI, written by the Director of Sustainability, is published one time each term through email and website. It is sent to all students and employees. It addresses new initiatives and upcoming events.


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:

The Sustainability Office and all student groups use Techsync (an internal social media system) to spread information and increase student participation in their various activities. The Sustainability office also has both a Facebook account (https://www.facebook.com/sustainabilityWPI/timeline) and Twitter (@WPIGreen) account. The Student Green Team, Gompeis Gears Bikeshare, and SJSF (Students for a Just and Stable Future) also have Facebook sites.


The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
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 the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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Does the institution produce 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:

Student research projects related to sustainability are listed on the sustainability website. Also, Gordon Library collects all student projects (IQPs, MQPs, etc.) in a searchable database called Summon.


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 :

Signs placed in East Hall and the Sports & Recreation Center provide a description of various green features and related facts about the building. For example, bamboo ceiling tiles and walls are highlighted on signage, as are the numerous water bottle filling stations, the solar panels that heat the pool water, and the mullions, sunscreens, and interior shades which reduce solar glare.


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

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

Quotes such as "Taste Don't Waste: The Global Food Waste Crisis is bigger than you think", and facts about the scale of food waste are painted in Morgan Commons Dining Hall. Posters advertising Chartwell's "Project Clean Plate" and detailing sustainable, humane, and fair trade food options are also located throughout the dining hall,


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 groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:

Signage on the grounds asked the community to "please save the grass for the goats, use the walkway" so that people would stay off the grass during the drought, allowing the grass a better chance to thrive. Signage in all buildings and residential halls explained the city's drought warning and asked the community to use water wisely.


The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The signage for the Sports & Recreation Center and 10 Faraday includes a separate walking tour that specifically highlights sustainability features with maps.


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

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

A listing on the WPI website identifies numerous forms of alternative transportation


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

A current student project is producing a webpage with "Worcester Biking Resources". The guide includes tips on bike laws, safety, securing, maintenance, and will soon include information about safe bike routes, routes that avoid hills, etc.


The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

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

WPI maintains a webpage with a list of dos/don'ts and tips about what items to bring to campus, changing habits/products in the living/dorm/bedroom area, in the kitchen, in the laundry room, and while doing schoolwork/paperwork. This also includes recycling tips and the policies of the school.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
No

A brief description of these materials or publications:
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The website URL for these materials or publications:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.