| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 51.10 |
| Liaison | Kristin Larson |
| Submission Date | Aug. 1, 2012 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
San Diego State University
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Geoff
Chase Dean of Undergraduate Studies Center for Regional Sustainability, Division of Undergraduate Studies |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
The SDSU News Center Sustainability page and Center for Regional Sustainability website provide information about campus sustainability efforts and links to campus organizations and resources. Both sites announce sustainability related events and news releases.
Information on organizations and resources included on these websites: the Associate of the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education campus resources; Associated Students, Green Love activities and initiatives; student organizations, Power Save/ Green Campus and internship opportunities; Facilities Services sustainability initiatives; Field Station Programs; the Senate Sustainability Committee; and the Center for Regional Sustainability.
None
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
None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
SDSU's Marketing and Communication Department publishes campus sustainability news through the SDSU News Center weekly. SDSU News Center: http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news.aspx
Several student organization newsletter feature sustainability related content. These organizations include; Power Save/ Green Campus (monthly), the Green Aztec (daily with regular coverage), Sustainable South Bay (each semester), and the Enviro Business Society’s, e3 newsletter (bi-monthly).
None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
None
Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
No
None
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
SDSU does not have a publication dedicated to sustainability related student research, however, several avenues exist for students to publish their research. The University alumni publication 360 has featured student work related to sustainability. The Center for Regional Sustainability and Service Learning Program have published faculty and student research in the 2011 "Resource Development Plan: An Arts Assessment of San Diego's South Bay" and the bi-annual Sustainable South Bay newsletter.
Department websites also provide student with opportunities to advertise and disseminate their research. One such example is the Geography department website, which features graduate student research and on-going projects:
http://geography.sdsu.edu/Research/Projects/ISYS/
SDSU is in the process of developing a student research compendium publication associated with the annual Student Research Symposium competition or SRS, which will feature the work of SRS winners.
None
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
None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Select SDSU buildings and outdoor spaces have signage that highlights green building and campus features. Examples include restroom signage for low-flow or waterless urinals, LED lighting projects in the Facilities Services building, and recycling and composting information in dining facilities and outdoor signage near the Faculty Staff Club. Green building signage is planned for the new LEED Platinum Aztec Center http://www.aztecstudentunion.com/ and LEED Silver equivalent projects including the Plaza Linda Verde http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/plazalindaverde/faq.aspx
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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
None
A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
SDSU Dining Services facilities provide food service area signage that features: healthy food choices, organic and local food options, sustainable food systems, recycling, and campus composting information. Signage varies from facility to facility depending on the type of service available on-site. For example the main resident hall dining facility signage highlights organic and locally sourced foods at the organic salad bar. Convenience markets across campus feature Meatless Monday promotions, local/ organic product labeling, and "Use one Less" signage on napkin and utensil dispensers.
None
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
None
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
The SDSU Facilities Services department is responsible for grounds signage and posts educational signage related to campus sustainability in select areas. Examples of sustainable grounds keeping practices include signage marking: low water usage irrigation systems, organically maintained areas including some athletic fields, xeriscape and indigenous landscaping, natural and low impact erosion control, plant conservation identification, the organic herb garden and Mediterranean native plant garden.
None
The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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None
Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Sustainability information is infused into the SDSU Virtual Tour and SDUS Ambassador led walking tours. SDSU Virtual Tour: http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/virtual/
Walking tours include information on the following:
Associated Students Green Love sustainability initiatives; the on-going construction of a new LEED Platinum Student Center; solar and photo voltaic arrays on buildings including the Children's Center, ARC recreation center, and new student union.
Physical campus initiatives including: alternative energy generation sites with solar and photo Voltaic displays on buildings, the trolley mass transit station, historic buildings SDSU has preserved, an organic herb garden, the Mediterranean garden, which is representative of the earth’s five major Mediterranean ecosystems, and other grounds features such as plantings to lower water usage and enhance biodiversity.
Student oriented programs and centers include: the Student Sustainability Center and The Center For Regional Sustainability in the Division of Undergraduate Studies, Aztec Shops dining facility sustainability efforts and the book rental program, the new Environmental Studies and Sustainability major, Service Learning Program, and the Common Experience program.
An overview presentation of campus sustainability is also available on-line.
None
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
None
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
SDSU and the Associated Students support a range of alternative transportation options and provide information for the campus on community options from direct trolley service and discounted passes to campus bike lane maps and SDSU specific ride sharing web resources.
In 2005, the Metropolitan Transit System trolley opened a campus transit stop. The permit, underground trolley station is located in the center of campus and allows students to commute from all over San Diego. Zimride and Zipcar are also offered on campus and are maintained through Associated Students' Green Love board, an auxiliary of SDSU.
In fall 2010 the University opened campus bike lanes and AS initiated an educational campaign to encourage students to commute safely and sustainably to campus via bike and skateboard. AS distributes alternative transportation materials at a weekly educational booth on campus and via the we. Campus bike map available here: http://as.sdsu.edu/greenlove/bike_lanes.html
Trolley information http://www.isc.sdsu.edu/prospective/sdl_transportation.html
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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
None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Associated Students Green Love Sustainability Advisory Board created a green living guide for residence halls and off-campus residents which is available at AS offices and at Green Love educational outreach events.
Topics covered include: recycling, sustainable food and consumer choices, and daily actions to make the most impact for students.
The Red and Black Going GREEN: GUIDE to Living Sustainably at SDSU provides students with “tips to help preserve the natural beauty and integrity of the planet. There is no such thing as an insignificant choice. How we get from place to place, clean our homes, dispose of our waste, eat, dress, and use water & energy, all have an important impact. Here are answers to a few questions that will guide you in making eco-conscious decisions in San Diego.”
None
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
None
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:
SDSU’s Daily Aztec student newspaper is distributed weekdays throughout the campus. The Daily Aztec has a regular sustainability/green section and a dedicated reporter.
None
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
None
A brief description of this material:
The Power Save/ Green Campus Interns program produces a monthly on-line newsletter highlighting campus energy efficiency projects and educational programs.
None
The website URL for this material:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
Yes
None
A brief description of this material:
The Associated Students Green Love campaign produces a "Green Your Life" web and print publication and educational materials, which are available at the weekly Farmer's Market in collaboration with the Enviro Business Society and at a weekly educational booth on campus.
AS annual report provides a comprehensive report on AS facility sustainability upgrades and student programs supported by student fees and is available here:http://as.sdsu.edu/about/annual-reports/annualReport1011.php?access=1
None
The website URL for this material:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
No
None
A brief description of this material:
Sustainable South Bay project and newsletter are produced by SDSU undergraduate Honors students and faculty Janet Templeton in connection with the Service Learning Program. The project is goal is to promote sustainability within our local community, specifically the South Bay by featuring sustainability related community sites, events and resources.
The newsletter is printed in English and Spanish to better serve the bi-lingual South bay community.
None
The website URL for this material:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
Yes
None
A brief description of this material:
The KPBS television and radio station, a community service of SDSU, provides timely reporting on sustainability related community issues. The KPBS environment reporting section features local and regional sustainability news.
None
The website URL for this material:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
No
None
A brief description of this material:
SDSU contributes to the California State University's system-wide sustainability publications, which include a news blog and annual report.
None
The website URL for this material:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
No
None
A brief description of this material:
---
None
The website URL for this material:
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None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
No
None
A brief description of this material:
---
None
The website URL for this material:
---
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
No
None
A brief description of this material:
---
None
The website URL for this material:
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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.