Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 71.21
Liaison Kelly Wellman
Submission Date Dec. 28, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Texas A&M University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Ben Kalscheur
Sustainability Assistant Manager
Office of 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):
The Office of Sustainability website is designed to educate about sustainability, to promote sustainable practices both on and off campus, and to provide resources and support for people who wish to incorporate sustainable practices into their work and life. Additionally, the Department of Residence Life hosts a sustainability webpage within their site to focus on what is happening in residential communities. http://reslife.tamu.edu/living/sustainability/

The website URL for the central sustainability website:
http://sustainability.tamu.edu/

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Department of Residence Life produces a monthly newsletter around sustainability topics. it is posted on the reslife.tamu.edu sustainability page, and archives are also linked there. The Office of Sustainability produces a biannual newsletter to promote the Aggie Green Fund. The newsletter is posted on the Aggie Green Fund website at greenfund.tamu.edu.

None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
https://reslife.tamu.edu/living/sustainability/

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:
In 2009 we launched a TAMU Sustainability Facebook page to provide instant updates on sustainability-related information, and to interact with our social media subscribers. In 2013 we launched a Twitter account (@SustainableTAMU) to serve the same purpose. In 2014, we launched a similar Instagram account (@sustainabletamu) In 2015, we launched a snapchat account (@sustainabletamu) The Aggie Green Fund has accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@TAMUGreenFund) The Department of Residence Life hosts Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aggieecoreps/), Twitter (@AggieEcoReps), and Instagram (@AggieEcoReps) pages for the Aggie Eco Reps. Additionally, the Department Facebook, Twitter (@TAMUResLife) and Instagram are used to share information about sustainability initiatives, events and information. In addition, Residence Life manages the AggiesGoingGreen page on Facebook.

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

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?:
No

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
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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 :
In the spirit of sustainability which is a keystone of The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation, the buildings are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certified. Their many green features include: A revolutionary heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system that uses natural convection currents in the Mitchell Institute’s six-story atrium A cistern that collects and stores condensate and rainfall for irrigation of the building exteriors and the rooftop Cynthia Woods Mitchell Garden Orientation and design to maximize heat gain and natural light Sustainable and recycled building materials These building features are marked through signage throughout the building and the buildings exterior. Similar signage is in place in the other LEED certified buildings on campus. Apart from existing signage, the Campus Master Plan was recently updated and incorporating sustainability signage around campus is a priority.

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
http://mitchell.tamu.edu/about/facilities/

Sustainable Food Systems Information 

Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
No

A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
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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?:
No

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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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?:
No

None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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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?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Transportation Services highlights a variety of options through an Alternative Transportation link on their website. It is also a part of the TAMU mobile app. Additionally, the Off Campus Student Services within the Offices of the Dean of Student Life publishes a Survival Guide for use by off campus students and it includes alternative transportation information at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss.offcampuspublications. There is also information on their website.

The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
http://transport.tamu.edu/alternative.aspx

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:
Transportation Services provides information and resources about: bike registration, bike regulations, theft & safety, the Borrow a Bike program, summer bike storage, bike auctions, bike program updates, bike racks, bike maintenance stations, campus bike lanes, and city bike lanes on their website.

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
http://transport.tamu.edu/alternative.aspx

Green Living Guide 

Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
In 2009, the Residential Housing Association (RHA) recognized that to be good stewards, students need to lead the push to retool the built environment, in addition to our lifestyle and habits. Several students in RHA created this Sustainability Guide document to motivate change that encourages fiscal, environmental, and social responsibility. In 2018, a new green living guide for on-campus residents was published. This guide was created by the GA Sustainability Coordinator along with RHA. This resource is available on the Residence Life Sustainability page at http://reslife.tamu.edu/living/sustainability/.

None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
https://reslife.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/SUSTAINABILITY_Guide.pdf

Other Outreach Materials 

Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:
The Office of Sustainability has developed a Sustainability Pledge that students, faculty, and staff can take online. This pledge offers a plethora of information regarding sustainable actions individuals can take in their lives, why it is so important, and links for further reading. The pledge is specifically tailored to A&M's culture and infrastructure. Aggie Eco Reps have created bulletin boards that are displayed in residential communities on a rotating (as requested) basis. Additionally, on the back of room doors is a sticker prompting awareness of sustainability, with a QR code that links to the Residence Life Sustainability page. Many rooms with individual thermostats have stickers about the campus comfort range of 72-77 degrees (F). Bathrooms with dual flush toilets are appropriately labelled as well.to encourage appropriate use.

The website URL for these materials or publications:
http://sustainability.tamu.edu/take-the-pledge.aspx

Optional Fields 

Additional documentation to support the submission:
AGF ResLife Room Sticker_1.jpg

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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