Campus Engagement
Introduction
Engaging in sustainability issues through co-curricular activities allows students to deepen and apply their understandings of sustainability principles. Institution-sponsored co-curricular sustainability offerings, often coordinated by student affairs offices, help integrate sustainability into the campus culture and set a positive tone for the institution. Faculty and staff members’ daily decisions impact an institution’s sustainability performance. Equipping faculty and staff with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to adopt behavior changes that promote sustainability is an essential activity of a sustainable campus.
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Marketing and communicating sustainability through college athletics: the effects of pro-environmental initiatives on the belief-attitude-intention hierarchy
- Elon University (NC)
- Florida State University (FL)
This study examines the psychological mechanism of consumers’ environmentally responsible behaviors in college sport. The research is guided by a belief-attitude-intention (B-A-I) hierarchy model. The results revealed that consumers who …
- Posted May 5, 2021
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Responsible Management Education as Socialization: Business Students’ Values, Attitudes and Intentions
- Nazareth University (NY)
- Macquarie University (NSW)
- University of Melbourne (Victoria)
The growing interest in sustainable development in all sectors of the economy has fostered a noteworthy shift toward responsible management education (RME). This emerging view underscores that business schools provide …
- Posted May 5, 2021
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Coping With Climate Change: Examining Emotional Effects and Searching for Solutions
- University of Vermont (VT)
Inspired by experiences with college students and my own reckoning of the climate crisis, I sought to understand the indirect psychological impacts of climate change on UVM students and what …
- Posted May 4, 2021
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Green Building, Green Behavior? An Analysis of Building Characteristics that Support Environmentally Responsible Behaviors
- Texas Tech University (TX)
This study examines the environmentally responsible behaviors (ERBs) of undergraduates (n = 575). ERBs were measured in an online survey and the influence of situational context on behavior was explored …
- Posted May 4, 2021
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sustainNU and Partners Host Tree Planting
- Northwestern University (IL)
In celebration of Arbor Day, Northwestern University's Office of Sustainability (sustainNU) hosted a tree planting with the City of Evanston and Chicago Gateway Green to plant ten trees with volunteers …
- Posted May 4, 2021
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Twinkling SNOW CROWN during Historic Winter Outbreak
- University of North Texas (TX)
This cauliflower (Twinkle SNOW CROWN) was captured on February 14th, 2021 on snowy day at UNT(University of North Texas) Denton Community Garden. UNT community garden promotes environmental education, to growing …
- Posted May 4, 2021
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sustainNU Holds Hybrid Planting Workshop
- Northwestern University (IL)
Northwestern University's Office of Sustainability's (sustainNU) first hybrid event was during Earth Month. With the help of Wild Roots, a student-run garden on campus, and Northwestern Dining, sustainNU hosted a …
- Posted May 4, 2021
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SUNY Broome Virtual Earth Fest
- SUNY Broome Community College (NY)
Equity: The Greatest Opportunity for the Sustainability & Climate Movements?
http://earthdaysoutherntier.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Earth-Fest-2021-Events-Flyer.pdf
SUNY Broome Earth Fest Lecture – Saturday, April 24th Schedule of Events: 10:00 am: Reducing Household Waste, Chris Burger, …
- Posted April 30, 2021
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Bowie State University Stream Clean Up: Two distinct generations come together to help Mother Earth
- Bowie State University (MD)
Through a partnership with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Bowie State University invited nearby Collington Retirement Community to join together for an Earth Day stream clean up event in …
- Posted April 30, 2021
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Up”cycling” - Creating a Biking Campus Culture
- Furman University (SC)
In an effort to foster a biking campus culture, reduce our carbon footprint, encourage student health and wellness, and provide access and needed infrastructure for supporting a vibrant biking community, …
- Posted April 29, 2021
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JMU Sustainable Development Goals Dialogues
- James Madison University (VA)
As a first step toward JMU's commitment to the University Global Coalition, on March 29, 2021, for 90 minutes, 29 faculty members, 16 students, and 3 community partners participated in …
- Posted April 29, 2021
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Soil Erosion Service Project
- Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (OR)
Students, staff, and faculty at the OSU-Cascades participated in an erosion control service project lead by OSU-Cascades Sustainability Program on a construction site on Oregon State University's campus in Bend, …
- Posted April 29, 2021
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Terrarium Building at Oregon State
- Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (OR)
Students, staff, and faculty built Terrariums.
- Posted April 29, 2021
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Tufts University EarthFest 2021
- Tufts University (MA)
On Friday, April 23rd, 2021, the Tufts Office of Sustainability and the Tufts Eco-Reps organized many sustainability-related student organizations at Tufts to offer an in-person, Covid-safe event. EarthFest has historically …
- Posted April 29, 2021
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ISU Dining Compost Giveaway
- Iowa State University (IA)
ISU Dining handed out pots, seeds, and compost to students. The compost was from our campus compost facility, which takes in food waste from our dining centers. ISU Dining contributes …
- Posted April 23, 2021
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"When it Comes to Sustainability, the Earth is Our Nest," say BGSU Falcons
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
In celebration of Earth Month and sustainability on campus, students from Bowling Green State University came together to plant trees for the benefit of the University community. BGSU's Office of …
- Posted April 23, 2021
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Designing an extension Climate Stewards volunteer program: incorporating sense of community, social practice, and self-efficacy theories
- Cornell University (NY)
This paper examines the feasibility of developing a new Master Volunteer training program to help communities adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Traditional models of volunteer training …
- Posted April 22, 2021
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Alternative transportation education: implementing an innovative module
- Colorado State University (CO)
Purpose This study aims to investigate the Colorado state university (CSU) MOVES online, transportation module, which was implemented for the dual purpose of promoting alternative modes of transportation and while …
- Posted April 22, 2021
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Rhetoric and Emotion Save Science: Lessons from Student Eco-Activists
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NM)
This essay is a qualitative study of the experience of undergraduate students learning how to teach issues of sustainability to their campus communities through an innovative outreach program at a …
- Posted April 22, 2021
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Long-Term Impact of Study Abroad on Sustainability-Related Attitudes and Behaviors
- University of Florida (FL)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
Using study abroad as a vehicle for sustainable education is a growing trend. However, an examination of the impact of study abroad on participants’ sustainability-related attitudes and behaviors years after …
- Posted April 22, 2021
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How An Arboretum Outreach Activity Changed Students’ Attitudes Towards Sustainable Development
- Penn State Brandywine (PA)
In Fall 2017, Penn State Brandywine kicked off an initiative titled Sustainovation, emphasizing programming and community collaborations through sustainability and innovation. The campus identified Tyler Arboretum as a community partner …
- Posted April 21, 2021
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Bull's Cycle Challenge
- University of South Florida St. Petersburg (FL)
- University of South Florida (FL)
April is here and it is time to enjoy the amazing Florida weather on a BIKE!!
The Office of sustainability, Student Government and The Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF), at …
- Posted April 21, 2021
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Seminole Dining Celebrates Earth Month
- Florida State University (FL)
- Aramark (PA)
Here at Seminole Dining, we’re taking it back to 1970, when Earth Day was created, to celebrate 51 years of tackling environmental issues! To do this, we are celebrating all …
- Posted April 21, 2021
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UCCS Food Next Door | Farm Subscription Program
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)
The Food Next Door Farm Subscription Program strives to help fight hunger, promote food access, boost food literacy, and support regional farmers and ranchers in our community.
- Posted April 21, 2021
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Predicting college students’ intention to purchase local food using the theory of consumption values
- University of Alabama (AL)
While extensive research has been conducted on local food and consumer behavior, there is little research investigating college students’ intention regarding purchasing local food. The purpose of this study is …
- Posted April 8, 2021
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Secrets for a Strong Course Affiliation Program
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- AASHE (MA)
This event is part of the AASHE Award Winner Webinar Series, featuring a presentation of the Campus Sustainability Achievement Award winning project.
What are the secrets to a strong course …
- Posted March 31, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Webinar: Greenspace Town Halls and Make-A-Thon
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- AASHE (MA)
This event is part of the AASHE Award Winner Webinar Series, featuring a presentation of the Student Sustainability Leadership Award winning project.
This webinar will outline the Greenspace Sustainability Design …
- Posted March 25, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Campuses as living labs for integrated sustainability research, education, and practice
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
Campuses as living labs for integrated sustainability research, education, and practice
Ximing Cai, Morgan White#, Evan Delucia, Madhu Khanna Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute for Sustainability, …
- Posted March 15, 2021
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Sustaining a Community Garden
- Palo Alto University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
In 2016, Palo Alto College launched a survey campaign to identify the most pressing issues for student retention and learning. The results showed that one of the most pressing issues …
- Posted March 10, 2021
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Annual Green Talks Symposium
- University of California, San Diego (CA)
Green Talks is a TED-style talk symposium specifically geared towards environmental awareness. This annual event aims to engage and educate the UC San Diego student body and broader community about …
- Posted March 8, 2021
- Case Studies
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Anti-Racism in Higher Education: A Model for Change
- Azusa Pacific University (CA)
Racism continues to persist in higher education and traditional diversity initiatives that focus only on support resources and tolerance training continue to fall short in making lasting change on college …
- Posted Feb. 22, 2021
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The Power Game: Developing Influence and Negotiation Skills for Sustainable Development
- Virginia Tech (VA)
This paper describes the outcomes of a game designed to teach advanced leadership skills, specifically influence and negotiation strategies, to current and aspiring sustainability professionals at Virginia Tech’s Center for …
- Posted Feb. 10, 2021
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Collegiate athletics environmental sustainability efforts within STARS reporting
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
The purpose of this paper is to examine higher education institutions’ participation in association for the advancement of sustainability in higher education’s (AASHE’s) Green Athletics category in the sustainability tracking, …
- Posted Feb. 9, 2021
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Building bridges: overview of an international sustainable tourism education model
- Colorado State University, Pueblo (CO)
The purpose of this paper is to present and explore a sustainable tourism education model that employed Fair-Trade learning principles and experiential learning philosophies. In collaboration with universities in Mexico …
- Posted Feb. 9, 2021
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University teaching staff and sustainable development: an assessment of competences
- University of Southern Maine (ME)
- University of Malta (Northern Harbor District)
- Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
- University of Beira Interior
- University of Passo Fundo
- University of Aveiro
- Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
- Universidade federal de Santa Maria
- University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz
- University of Belgrade
Teaching about matters related to sustainable development requires not only a personal motivation from educators, but also a variety of competences. This paper reports on a multi-country study, which aimed …
- Posted Feb. 9, 2021
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Walking the Sustainability Talk: If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?
- Loyola University Maryland (MD)
- Walden University (MN)
- Western Illinois University (IL)
This essay centers on the personal sustainability behaviors of faculty as related to research, teaching, and service, as well as those behaviors that go far beyond these typical faculty responsibilities. …
- Posted Feb. 9, 2021
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Education for sustainable healthcare: Leadership to get from here to there
- University of North Dakota (ND)
- University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
- University of British Columbia Okanagan (BC)
- Dalarna University
- Swansea University
- International Federation of Medical Students' Associations
The current global crises, including climate, COVID-19, and environmental change, requires global collective action at all scales. These broad socio-ecological challenges require the engagement of diverse perspectives and ways of …
- Posted Feb. 9, 2021
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Implementing AACN's Recommendations for Environmental Sustainability in Colleges of Nursing: From Concept to Impact
- Washington State University, Spokane (WA)
In 2011, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) released a guidance report titled Toward an Environmentally Sustainable Academic Enterprise: An AACN Guide for Nursing Education. The report was …
- Posted Feb. 9, 2021
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Designing and Assessing Learning Outcomes: A Framework for Co-Curricular Sustainability Programs
- Portland State University (OR)
In recent years, Co-Curricular Sustainability Programs (CoCSPs) have been established at many higher education institutions. However, few such programs have developed learning outcomes or assessment processes to measure the types …
- Posted Feb. 8, 2021
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When Legitimacy Shapes Environmentally Responsible Behaviors: Considering Exposure to University Sustainability Initiatives
- Emory University (GA)
- Oberlin College (OH)
- University of Chicago (IL)
This study examines how perceptions of the legitimacy of university sustainability efforts—support by the administration (authorization) or from students’ peers (endorsement)—as well as the physical context in which students live, …
- Posted Feb. 8, 2021
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“Just Sustainability” Environmental Justice Campaign Case Study
- University of Vermont (VT)
The UVM Eco-Reps have long existed to encourage sustainable behaviors in UVM students, faculty, and community members. After a summer of Black Lives Matter protests, six months of a global …
- Posted Feb. 8, 2021
- Case Studies
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Willingness to pay for green buildings: A survey on students’ perception in higher education
- University of Delaware (DE)
- University of New Haven (CT)
- TED University
For most students in higher education, a green residence hall could form their first impressions regarding green buildings. As these students may be expected to make decisions regarding their place …
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Assessing General Attitudes Towards Sustainability Policies Among Key Stakeholders in Higher Education
- Appalachian School of Law (VA)
- Appalachian State University (NC)
This study investigated, through the use of semi-structured interviews, the general attitudes and perceptions held by key stakeholders at Appalachian State University (AppState) towards sustainability policies. Key stakeholders were determined …
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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AASHE Award Winnner Ceremony 2020
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Lafayette College (PA)
- Lehigh University (PA)
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
- Palo Alto College (TX)
- Smith College (MA)
- Southwestern University (TX)
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- University of Dayton (OH)
- University of Sydney (NSW)
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Coimbra
- Carlos III University of Madrid
The AASHE Sustainability Awards provide global recognition to the individuals and organizations leading the higher education sustainability movement. On Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 a virtual ceremony honored the 11 winners …
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Desktop Printer Removal and the Transition to Managed Multi-Function Printers: Benefits and Case Studies
- Root Solutions (CA)
This document was designed to introduce higher ed staff to the topic of printer consolidation, with an emphasis on the many sustainability and other benefits (especially cost savings) of replacing …
- Posted Dec. 29, 2020
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Piloting Styrofoam Recycling in Research Facilities at Georgia Institute of Technology
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
Georgia Tech has systems in place to collect and recycle everything from cardboard and office paper, to plastic and glass. But until 2019, there was no established process for recycling …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2020
- Case Studies
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Fall 2020 Virtual DIY Fair
- San Diego State University (CA)
With students being stuck at home due to COVID, I thought that a smart idea to keep students engaged in sustainability would be to have a week-long virtual DIY fair …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2020
- Case Studies
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Reusable to-go Program at Northwestern Dining During a Global Pandemic
- Northwestern University (IL)
- Chartwells Higher Education (NY)
- Compass Group (NC)
Northwestern University opened its dining commons during the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall of 2020 with an emphasis on reusable to-go service ware. This program used the O2GO OZZI containers …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2020
- Case Studies
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Approaches to SDG-Based Curricular Pathways and Research Communities
- AASHE (MA)
- University of Toronto (ON)
- Sustainability Curriculum Consortium (MD)
Universities are increasingly being called to develop integrative approaches toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their research, educational, and operational capacities. This webinar will present on …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2020
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University of Oregon GrowPod Tomato Harvest
- University of Oregon (OR)
University of Oregon students and staff harvesting tomatoes in the experimental GrowPod.
- Posted Oct. 30, 2020
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
EN 1: Student Educators Program
- Percent of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program
- Description of the student educators program (1st program)
- Description of the student educators program (2nd program)
- Brief description of the student educators program (3rd program)
- Hours worked annually by trained student sustainability educators per students served
- Website URL - Student sustainability educators programs
EN 2: Student Orientation
- Percent of entering students that have an opportunity to participate in sustainability-inclusive orientation activities and programming
- Description of how sustainability is included prominently in new student orientation
- Website URL - Information about sustainability in student orientation
EN 3: Student Life
- Description of the active student groups focused on sustainability
- Description of student gardens, farms, CSAs, fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects
- Description of the student-run enterprises
- Description of student sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives
- Description of sustainability-focused conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events for students
- Description of sustainability-focused cultural arts events, installations, or performances
- Description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles
- Description of sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences
- Description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills
- Description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution
- Description of graduation pledge(s)
- Description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives
EN 4: Student Life
- Website URL - Central sustainability website
- Description of sustainability newsletter or social media platform(s)
- Description of the signage that highlights campus sustainability features
- Description of the sustainability walking map or tour
- Description of the guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience
- Description of other comprehensive sustainability outreach materials and publications
EN 5: Student Life
- Description of the first sustainability outreach campaign
- Description of the second sustainability outreach campaign
- Description of other sustainability-related outreach campaigns
EN 6: Assessing Sustainability Culture
- Description of how and when the cultural assessment(s) were developed and/or adopted
- Copy or sample of the questions related to sustainability culture (upload)
- Copy or sample of the questions related to sustainability culture (description)
- Website URL - Assessment of sustainability culture
EN 7: Employee Educators Program
- Percent of employees served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program
- Description of the employee educators program (1st program)
- Description of the employee educators program (2nd program)
- Hours worked annually by trained employee sustainability educators per employees served
- Website URL - Employee sustainability educators programs
EN 8: Employee Orientation
- Percent of new employees that have an opportunity to participate in sustainability-inclusive orientation activities and programming
- Description of how sustainability is included prominently in new employee orientation
- Website URL - Information about sustainability in employee orientation
EN 9: Staff Professional Development & Training
- Estimated percentage of regular, non-academic staff that participates annually in sustainability professional development and training
- Description of any internal sustainability professional development and training opportunities
- Description of any external professional development and training opportunities in sustainability that are supported by the institution
- Estimated percentage of staff for which sustainability is included in performance reviews
- Description of how sustainability is included in staff performance reviews
- Website URL - Information about staff professional development and training in sustainability
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.