Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 71.65
Liaison Laura Bain
Submission Date Jan. 19, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Furman University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Laura Bain
Associate Director of Sustainability Assessment
David E. Shi Center for Sustainability
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Central Sustainability Website 

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):
Furman's sustainability website shares information about the university's sustainability efforts in areas such as academics and curriculum, student engagement, and implementation of the sustainability master plan. It also provides resources on sustainability for the Furman community.

The website URL for the central sustainability website:
http://www.furman.edu/sustain

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Shi Center for Sustainability releases a newsletter to the Furman community and general community that have signed up to receive the newsletter email. This newsletter provides information about events related to sustainability at Furman, in the Greenville Community, and around the world.

None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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Social Media Platforms 

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 Shi Center for Sustainability hosts a Facebook page that provides information about sustainable initiatives both on and off campus. The page also promotes a more sustainable lifestyle by encouraging viewers to participate in activities such as eating locally and biking on the local Swamp Rabbit Trail. The Shi Center student fellows also run an Instagram to highlight their work. Additionally, The Green Scene at Furman is a blog maintained by the Sustainability Outreach and Engagement Fellow. The blog is updated regularly with posts from Student Fellows about their work or current events related to their fellowship. This blog is targeted to the student population to help engage and inform fellow students.

The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
https://www.facebook.com/ShiCenter

Student Newspaper Coverage 

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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Student Research Publication 

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:
Furman Engaged celebrates the wide variety of undergraduate research, scholarship, and creativity of undergraduates. This annual event brings Furman's campus community and visitors together for a day of presentations, posters, and performances. Students present topics from a range of disciplines, from research in the sciences and humanities to creative works in the fine arts.

None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
http://www.furman.edu/sites/FurmanEngaged/Pages/Default.aspx

Green Building Signage 

Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Building signage is utilized in LEED buildings to highlight specific green building features on campus. A central sign is posted in one of the LEED buildings (Hipp Hall) to explain the rating system of LEED and how these features are sustainable. Additionally, smaller signs are placed around the building to highlight specific features. For example, these signs are located near the bike racks to highlight alternative methods of transportation and near the water fountains to feature water use reduction.

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The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
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Sustainable Food Systems Information 

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:
The Charles E. Daniel Dining Hall has various displays about sustainable food systems. On every table, there is an educational display about different sustainability initiatives supported by Bon Appetit, Furman's food provider, such purchasing Fair Trade items and reducing food waste. These displays also include a Menu Icon Legend to define the various icons listed by menu items such as "Farm to Fork" and "Locally Crafted." Additionally, the Dining Hall has hosted Weigh your Waste events to raise awareness about food waste. The Dining Hall also highlights different food events such as "Farm to Fork Day" on a monthly calendar and lists local farms that Furman sponsors with on a board.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
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Sustainable Grounds Signage 

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:
Since 2006, Furman has implemented a variety of changes designed to improve the quality of Furman's "Swan Lake." As part of the restoration project, signs have been posted to share information about the no-mow areas, native planting, and rain gardens that have been implemented around the lake area. As of 2017, additional signs were posted to highlight new sustainability initiatives around the lake such as marsh islands designed to filter the water. These signs were made possible by a student fellow at the Shi Center for Sustainability and funded by the Duke Energy Water Resouces Grant.

The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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Sustainable Walking Map or Tour 

Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Furman has a self-guided walking tour map that marks all of Furman's sustainability initiatives with a green colored dot.

None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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Guide for Commuters 

Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
No

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
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The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
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Materials for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
The University Police Department provides brochures about bicycle tips to help ensure the safety of cyclists. These tips include advice on how to lock the bike, utilize hand signals, and wear proper safety equipment.

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
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Green Living Guide 

Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
No

None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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Other Outreach Materials 

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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Optional Fields 

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.