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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Expanding Sustainability: University of California, Santa Cruz’s Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program featuring the “Intersections Between Diversity & Environment” course
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
The UC Santa Cruz Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program (DICP) educates staff, faculty, and graduate students to undertake in-depth examinations of how we, through recognizing and understanding of our differences, …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Final Project Report: Crum Woods
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Purpose of the Project: To increase student, faculty, staff, and community member engagement and safety in Crum Woods, as well as continue to implement the 10-year Crum Woods Restoration and …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Swarthmore President's Sustainability Research Fellowship - Increasing Opportunities for Involvement with the Office of Sustainability
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Purpose: To increase engagement with sustainability on campus by thinking about ways to improve existing internships, imagining new ways for students and student groups to get involved, and utilizing our …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Engaging campus and beyond: The Aldo Leopold Distinguished Lecture Series
- University of Northern Iowa (IA)
The Aldo Leopold Distinguished Lecture Series (ALDLS) was established in 2018 with the goal of engaging the University of Northern Iowa community, providing opportunities throughout the academic year to interact …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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STARS: A Student Reports for Duty
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Project Name: STARS Name: Jasmine Xie Project Mentors: Carr Everbach, Brenna Leary Project Board Members, Faculty Advisor, and Sustainability Sage: Jason Martin, Andy Feick, Pattie Kim-Keefer, Sibelan Forrester, Heather Hassel-Finnegan …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Palo Alto College Community Garden
- Palo Alto College (TX)
The Palo Alto Community Garden opened in October of 2019 as a space to grow food, cultivate community, and improve food security for the greater Palo Alto Community.
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Building Trust and Community: The Transformative Experience of the Green Revolving Fund at Agnes Scott College
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
- Second Nature (MA)
- City of Decatur (GA)
Agnes Scott College initiated the college’s Green Revolving Fund (GRF) in 2011 as a practical solution to a common challenge shared by colleges and universities that have committed to a …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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COVID-19 & Sustainability Discussion: Recap & Reflection
- Emory University (GA)
- Portland Community College (OR)
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- The New School (NY)
- University of Missouri (MO)
- AASHE (MA)
During the month of April, AASHE will be leading a discussion series for our community to engage with one another to talk through opportunities and challenges related to COVID-19 and …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustaining a Student-Led Environmental Movement at San Diego State University: Leveraging Collaboration to Create an Environmentally Sustainable Endowment
- San Diego State University (CA)
As the global economy grows, environmental activists increasingly work towards more environmentally sustainable investing practices, especially at higher education institutions. As Sustainability Commissioner (2019-2020) at San Diego State University (“SDSU” …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Publications
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Reducing Smith College’s Dining GHG emissions: An analysis of beef and milk substitutions
- Smith College (MA)
The life cycle of food is responsible for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through production, processing, distribution, and waste. The environmental impact of food varies by …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Publications
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Solar Microgrid Investment in the US: Financial Modelling Challenges for a University Based Project
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
Unlike economies that are still experiencing growth, established markets like the United States have a difficult time generating returns with large upside potential for investors. If an exceptional return is …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Pitt Hydroponics
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Pitt Hydroponics is a student group that is dedicated to the education of Pitt students in hydroponic practices, the outreach to local communities, and the research and creation of small-scale …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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The James Madison University Student Assessment Initiative
- James Madison University (VA)
Between 2009 and 2020, JMU implemented a comprehensive collection of student assessments and used the results to significantly advance sustainability efforts. Three question sets were, and continue to be, administered …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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No Food Left Behind: A free text service to reduce food insecurity and food waste
- University of California, Merced (CA)
No Food Left Behind is a free text messaging service that connects students, staff and faculty at the University of California, Merced to events that might have food leftover. People …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Loyola University Chicago's Student-run Biodiesel Lab
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
The Searle Biodiesel Lab is a student-run initiative within Loyola University Chicago’s Institute for Environmental Sustainability (IES). Since 2007, the lab has produced biodiesel and BioSoap(Loyola’s all-natural, alternative hand soap) …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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How to Start a Green Greeks Club on Any Campus
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus (AZ)
Historically, Greek Life and Sustainability Organizations have been disconnected from each other on college campuses. This is the odd reality despite the fact that the two groups share many of …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Sustainability Activation Program at the University of Dayton
- University of Dayton (OH)
The Sustainability Activation Program (SAP) is a peer-to-peer education program which takes a holistic and human rights oriented approach to sustainability education on campus and in the community. It began …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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UVA’s Equity & Environment Fund: Catalyzing student-driven, intersectional projects that connect and advance the work of community leaders
- University of Virginia (VA)
Historically, many UVA student-led projects focused on the environmental issues of sustainability, without much connection or thought to how these projects connect or address social or equity issues. To help …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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PSRF Final Project Report: Climate Community
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Mission
The Climate Community President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship (PSRF) project is dedicated to generating an engaged and purposeful climate community at Swarthmore College. This means breaking the mold of climate …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Infusing Sustainability into the Curriculum at Swarthmore College
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Note that the full final report for this project is attached as a file at the end of this report. Please view for full in depth explanation of the project …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Swarthmore College Sustainability Research: Equitable Zero Waste
- Swarthmore College (PA)
A year long research project developed by students to help and develop an equitable zero waste mindset and framework of thinking.
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Emory University’s Virtual Earth Month Outreach Campaign
- Emory University (GA)
Traditionally, Emory University’s Office of Sustainability Initiatives (OSI) kicks off Earth Month by bringing together both on and off-campus organizations that are dedicated to sustainability for a one-day Earth Festival …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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TAMU Urban Farm United (TUFU) Campus Food Forest Serves Aggies in Need
- Texas A&M University (TX)
The TAMU Urban Farm, TUFU for short, is a new concept organization on the campus of Texas A&M University (TAMU), whose mission is “Grow to Serve”. The project was made …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Grand Valley State University - Water Sustainability
- Grand Valley State University (MI)
Abstract - Grand Valley State University - Water Sustainability
Having success in reducing energy consumption and costs, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) located in the state of Michigan, looked at …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Kent State University Textile Reuse and Recycling Programs Divert 441,610 pounds (221 tons) From Landfill to Benefit Community and Campus Over Past 5 Years
- Kent State University (OH)
Kent State University has reduced the amount of materials sent to landfills while providing benefits to the local community, campus, and our students. For the past 5 academic years, 2014-2015 …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Gold Tree Solar Farm - Innovatively Advancing the Academic Mission
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
Cal Poly's 4.5 MW Gold Tree Solar Farm demonstrates how collaboration between Facilities and academics can transform campus buildings and infrastructure into more impactful academic assets. In addition to the …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Addressing Food Insecurity on Campus
- Colorado State University (CO)
Approximately 10% of students at Colorado State University experience food insecurity. In the past five years, CSU has been aggressively tackling food insecurity through the creation of innovative programs under …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Energy Waste Reduction Program
- Suffolk County Community College (NY)
Since its inception in August of 2014, Suffolk County Community College’s Energy Waste Reduction Program has saved over 4.9 million dollars in unnecessary utility expenditure. We would like to propose …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Staff Engagement: Embedding Sustainability into Campus Culture and Operations
- University of Calgary (AB)
- AASHE (MA)
Empowering staff to become campus sustainability leaders can be challenging. Concerns about time commitment, competing workplace priorities, and support from senior leaders can make working with staff different from engaging …
- Posted May 14, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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UVM's Roadmap to Zero Waste
- University of Vermont (VT)
This senior thesis seeks to provide effective strategies for enhancing Zero Waste management goals at the University of Vermont by incorporating the needs of campus stakeholders. As the global garbage …
- Posted May 13, 2020
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The real meal deal: assessing student preferences for “real food” at Fort Lewis College
- Fort Lewis College (CO)
Fort Lewis College committed to purchasing 20% real food by 2020 as part of a national campaign called the Real Food Challenge, an initiative on college campuses that aims to …
- Posted May 11, 2020
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Links between sustainability-related awareness and behavior: The moderating role of engagement
- University of Michigan (MI)
Purpose Sustainability literature has cited the influential role of both awareness and engagement in facilitating increases in pro-environmental behaviors. The purpose of this study is to compare these links across …
- Posted May 11, 2020
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How mindfulness training cultivates introspection and competence development for sustainable consumption
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Purpose This paper aims to explore the relationship between introspection and key competencies for sustainable consumption (KCSCs). It investigates whether mindfulness training can cultivate the ability to introspect and stimulate …
- Posted May 11, 2020
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Campus conservation initiatives: factors influencing student engagement, attitudes and behaviours
- Davis & Elkins College (WV)
- Marshall University (WV)
College campuses play a primary role in promoting and facilitating sustainability and pro-environmental behaviour. While many studies have focused on campus sustainability efforts, few have specifically focused on how students …
- Posted May 11, 2020
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Perspectives of scholars on the nature of sustainability: a survey study
- Michigan State University (MI)
Purpose This paper aims to investigate different ways in which faculty members of sustainability-related departments in universities across the world perceive, understand and define sustainability and how these definitions are …
- Posted May 11, 2020
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Campus-Based Ecotourism: A Case Study on the Power of Local Ecotourism
- University of Nebraska at Omaha (NE)
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (NE)
Academic campuses across the Great Plains can serve as landscapes for teaching and learning about native flora of cultural importance with regard to food, medicine, and lifeways. Campus visitors (tourists) …
- Posted May 11, 2020
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Boston University Online Earth Day 2020
- Boston University (MA)
April 21, 2020: Boston University's online commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day featured conversations about our progress as an institution, how climate change relates to the novel coronavirus, …
- Posted May 8, 2020
- Photographs
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How the University of Vermont feels about crises
- University of Vermont (VT)
The University of Vermont Eco-Reps started work on their "Coping with Climate Change" campaign even before the switch to online classes. This video, produced virtually by Photo & Video Manager …
- Posted May 8, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Don't Dump! Donate!
- South Dakota State University (SD)
Don’t Dump! Donate! takes place during move-out week and keeps reusable material out of the landfill. It provides the opportunity for students to donate unwanted but good quality items as …
- Posted May 8, 2020
- Case Studies
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University of Vermont Eco-Reps Waste Campaign Case Study
- University of Vermont (VT)
The University of Vermont has improved its waste infrastructure, from expanding composting facilities beyond dining halls to implementing waste reduction programs like EcoWare and a straw-upon-request policy. UVM Eco-Reps’ work …
- Posted May 8, 2020
- Case Studies
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Trex Plastic Film Challenge
- Texas A&M University (TX)
In November 2018, the Department of Residence Life at Texas A&M University began the Trex Plastic Film Challenge in partnership with a Virginia-based company, Trex. Trex is a national company …
- Posted May 8, 2020
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Utilizing Freezers for Compost Collection at Holy Cross’ Student Apartments
- College of the Holy Cross (MA)
The College of the Holy Cross added compost collection for student food waste in two college-owned apartments, William Hall and Figge Hall. Instead of traditional indoor collection bins, small freezers …
- Posted May 4, 2020
- Case Studies
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On-site Energy Manager Program
- SUNY Jefferson Community College (NY)
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (NY)
In February of 2019 Jefferson Community College began a one-year commitment to provide a one-half time FTE On-site Energy Manager position in partnership with NYSERDA under project code OsEM17-C, (PON …
- Posted May 4, 2020
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“Box to Farm to Compost”: A Paradigm Shift from an Extractive Culture to Regenerative Culture
- Iowa State University (IA)
As a land grant university with a student population of over 30,000 students and about 6000 faculty and staff, there are enormous packaging items that make its way to campus …
- Posted May 1, 2020
- Case Studies
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University of Vermont Eco-Reps “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” Transportation Campaign Case Study
- University of Vermont (VT)
For UVM Eco-Reps’ first campaign of the 2019-20 academic year, we tackled issues related to how we move around. Whether it’s getting to class, work, or a friend’s house, how …
- Posted May 1, 2020
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Community Engagement in the Transition to Carbon Neutrality
- University of Victoria (BC)
- AASHE (MA)
Universities are increasingly interested in transitioning towards carbon neutrality. Through our discussions with peer AASHE members, a significant challenge is meaningfully engaging students, staff, and faculty in the process. During …
- Posted April 30, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Using sustainability education to enhance a sense of belonging and community among first-year college students
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY)
On campuses across the world, faculty, staff, and administrators continue to wrestle with how best to foster a stronger sense of belonging and community among first-year college students. Research in …
- Posted April 17, 2020
- Publications
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Reuse in Action: Repair Fairs
- Carleton College (MN)
- AASHE (MA)
A Repair Fair is a match-making event that pairs items needing fixed with volunteer repairers or “fixers” to attempt to repair anything from bikes to clothing, to electronics. The Carleton …
- Posted April 16, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Creating a Sustainable and Engaging Food Waste Recycling Program
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ)
- AASHE (MA)
This presentation will focus on The CGCC Food Waste Recycling Project, an ongoing campus-wide collaborative project that offers deep, cross-disciplinary, experiential student learning via an innovative solution for CGCC’s food …
- Posted April 9, 2020
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Equipping Students to Launch Green Teams at Work
- Florida International University (FL)
- AASHE (MA)
Through an online course on sustainability team management, working adult students recruited and launched green teams at their places of work. Despite having little authority and few resources, students in …
- Posted April 2, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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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.