Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.69
Liaison Lisa Kilgore
Submission Date March 8, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Cornell University
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Lisa James
Manager of Facilities Operations
Student & Academic Services
"---" 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:
Cornell's home page www.cornell.edu features a link to the university's central hub for sustainability information including resources, activities, news, and events across teaching, research, operations, and outreach.

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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?:
Yes

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A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
Cornell has a weekly email 'news blast' that includes headlines and websites in the following categories: campus, research, education, outreach, and alumni. Each headline in the newsblast links to a blog post on our website. Currently over 1400 Cornellians are signed up for the newsblast and it is forwarded to several hundred more individuals through additional on-campus list serves. The same news stories are also posted to Facebook and Twitter where we have more than 1000 followers as well.

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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
None
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:
The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future hosts an annual poster competition that includes student researchers. In addition the Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (CURB) seeks to enhance the Cornell undergraduate experience by promoting and enriching undergraduate research on campus. CURB is committed to fostering academic excellence through undergraduate interaction at events that bring student endeavors to the forefront of the Cornell community's attention. Specifically the Annual Spring Research Forum is an opportunity for undergraduates from all majors and backgrounds to present their work to the general public and to fellow undergraduates.

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The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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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 :
The 8 LEED Gold and 1 LEED Platinum buildings on the Cornell campus have various types of signage. The new Human Ecology Building has a comprehensive sign installed in the main lobby of the building to highlight the various green features.

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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

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A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Cornell Dining has a diverse portfolio of sustainability initiatives including local, organic, and fair procurement efforts, Marine Stewardship Council sustainable seafood certification, tray-less dining, composting and recycling, and biodegradable to-go containers. In nearly all the dining areas are signs about food sources and sustainable dining.

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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?:
Yes

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A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
Among a wide range of sustainable grounds-keeping strategies, two important efforts have been integrated pest management and a naturalization initiative. Several of the signs used around campus to help communicate the naturalization initiative are available here http://fm.fs.cornell.edu/grounds/landmaint.cfm Additionally: The university manages a Stormwater Management Wetland Demonstration Project http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/stormwater-management-wetland-demonstration-project Cornell Plantations manages 4,300 acres of natural areas originating in the core of the Cornell campus and extending outward into the surrounding countryside. Educational signage on the ecosystem is provided throughout. http://www.cornellplantations.org/our-gardens/natural-areas

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The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
None
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 Campus Sustainability Office provides Green Campus Tours to groups upon request. Each year the office provides an average of 8 Green Campus Tours to groups from around the world and across New York State. Currently the Campus Sustainability Office is developing a Green Campus Scavenger Hunt to be used on smartphones and tablets.

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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

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A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
The Facilities Services Department of Transportation and Mail Services provides extensive websites and brochures to inform all staff, students, and faculty about alternative methods of transportation. These resources are broadly publicized through orientation sessions, mailings, and outreach events.

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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 Campus Sustainability Office publishes several online and paper guidebooks for both on-campus and off-campus housing situations. These materials are distributed widely throughout the year and are available for download. Additionally a poster series for residence halls is available for download.

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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:
The Cornell Daily Sun (student newspaper) regularly covers sustainability through various writers and has met with sustainability staff on a annual basis to discuss editorial oversight of the 'sustainability beat'. An online search of the Cornell Daily Sun is the easiest way to see the most recent coverage. http://cornellsun.com/search/node/sustainability The Chronicle Online is Cornell's daily news service, with regular coverage of sustainability assigned to two reporters. Currently the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future is premiere location for all Cornell Chronicle stories on sustainability. http://www.sustainablefuture.cornell.edu/news

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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:
The sustainablecampus news blog is new and more authoritative source for all Chronicle news stories on sustainability.

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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):
Yes

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A brief description of this material:
This Local and Regional Food Systems Guide is intended to provide an index of initiatives and resources related to the study and development of local and regional food systems, or "foodsheds"

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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):
Yes

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A brief description of this material:
The annual report for the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future.

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The website URL for this material:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
No

None
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):
No

None
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):
No

None
A brief description of this material:
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None
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):
No

None
A brief description of this material:
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None
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):
No

None
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:
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