Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.10
Liaison Jim Dees
Submission Date May 21, 2012
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Appalachian State University
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Crystal Simmons
Outreach and public relations
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes

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A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
The university's sustainability website strives to be a clearinghouse for all things sustainable within the university: academic and research offerings, events, news (local and regional) student involvement, and sustainability initiatives, both institutional and student-based.

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The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
None
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
No

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A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

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A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Annually, Appalachian hosts the Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors. The Celebration showcases and encourages meaningful research in all disciplines by undergraduates and graduate students at Appalachian. Last year (2010), over 100 students representing over 20 departments presented their results in either a performance, platform talk, or poster.

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The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
None
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

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A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Appalachian's student union features signage regarding reduced water flow on its sink faucets and signage about the dual flush toilets. There is also signage at the special items recycling area indicating special items. At the water bottle refilling station, signage indicates the importance of reusing a water bottle. On the paper towel dispensers, "These Come from Trees" stickers are displayed. The student union is home to a large sustainability board available for students, faculty and staff to display material and information. The student union also hosts the Renewable Energy Initiative information kiosk, displaying information about all the renewable energy projects on campus.

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The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
None
Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

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A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Appalachian Food Services created a flier about ways in which Food Services has gone "green". Reduce, reuse, recycle is the theme of the flier. Signage is in place at every dining facility on campus asking patrons for their support of campus sustainability initiatives. The signs make recommendations for doing so, like bring your own cup/mug and recycles bottles here.

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The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
None
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
No

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

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A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The walking map/tour is a virtual map. It was designed by a student in 2010. Sustainable Strides is designed to communicate not only about physical locations of sustainable activities/measures, but also about sustainable technology and or commitments.

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The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
None
Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
Yes

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A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
On the university's sustainability website, there is a page dedicated to alternative transportation at Appalachian. Listed is information about mass transit, ridesharing, car sharing, biking and motor pool

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The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
None
Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

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A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Office of Sustainability has developed a guide for student green living, which seeks to develop sustainable behaviors for sustainable living while in college and transferable beyond college. The guide displays tips regarding transportation, purchasing and waste, energy and water.

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The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
None
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)?:
Yes

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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 is a student dedicated to the sustainability beat. The student newspaper is printed twice a week and is also available online.

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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:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes

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A brief description of this material:
2011 Sustainability Yearbook catalogs Appalachian State's sustainability progress through engaged students, academics and research, and campus initiatives.

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The website URL for this material:
None
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:
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The website URL for this material:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
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A brief description of this material:
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The website URL for this material:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
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A brief description of this material:
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The website URL for this material:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
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A brief description of this material:
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The website URL for this material:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
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A brief description of this material:
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The website URL for this material:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
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A brief description of this material:
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The website URL for this material:
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Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
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A brief description of this material:
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The website URL for this material:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
This information is also publicly available online, but geared towards campus residents: http://housing.appstate.edu/pagesmith/190

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.