Goal 2

Increase understanding of sustainability issues and provide resources and opportunities for individuals and groups to enact sustainable behaviors on campus.

Efforts to adopt behaviors that have a positive effect on campus, the community, and beyond have always been present at Richmond. Weaving sustainability into the fabric of the University, however, necessitates a culture of sustainability.

With inclusion in campus tours, orientation, and promotional materials, sustainability will become visible to each visitor, student, employee, and alumnus. Signage and educational displays will increase awareness and communicate the importance of sustainability. Teaming up with partners to co-host events and bring speakers to UR will introduce sustainability to new audiences and broaden understanding. Training and professional development opportunities in sustainability will engage employees and provide leadership opportunities for students while advancing institutional priorities. Collectively, these efforts to communicate, collaborate, and educate will make sustainability an essential part of the Spider experience.

Strategies & Actions

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  • Strategy 2.1 Meaningfully feature sustainability in orientation and onboarding activities for all students, staff, and faculty.

    2.1.1 Create the opportunity for all new UR students to participate in orientation activities and first-year experiences that prominently feature sustainability.

    2.1.2 Add a formal, interactive component of new employee orientation that supports knowledge of and active engagement with sustainability initiatives at the University and department/office level.

  • Strategy 2.2 Improve the visibility of sustainability on campus.

    2.2.1 Design and promote a campus sustainability tour, both online and on campus, and explore incorporating sustainability into official UR campus tours.

    2.2.2 Post prominent signage and educational displays that highlight campus environmental stewardship efforts.

    2.2.3 Identify, recognize, and promote the work undertaken by sustainability experts and professionals on campus.

    2.2.4 Develop cohesive sustainability-based marketing and branding efforts across campus in coordination with appropriate personnel.

  • Strategy 2.3 Establish and promote training and education for students, staff, and faculty in environmental sustainability practices.

    2.3.1 In partnership with appropriate personnel on campus, design online and in-person training programs on University sustainability initiatives and practices, including recycling, energy conservation, and sustainable purchasing.

    2.3.2 Raise awareness of and increase participation in existing programs that promote personal sustainability (i.e., Green Office Program, Green Room Program, Be a Green Spider quizzes, etc.) and develop new resources that support environmentally responsible living and working.

    2.3.3 Establish and train a cohort of employee and student sustainability peer educators to increase awareness and expand engagement across campus.

  • Strategy 2.4 Design and execute a comprehensive menu of sustainability events, programs, and activities for student, staff, and faculty.

    2.4.1 Create a directory of existing sustainability and sustainability-related programs, events, and initiatives offered across campus.

    2.4.2 Work with partners on campus and in the community to generate and implement new programming ideas and activities that will increase understanding of sustainability and support the creation of a culture of sustainability.

    2.4.3 Collaborate with existing speaker series organizers to bring sustainability thought leaders to campus and broaden the audience for sustainability topics.