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.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Sustainability Works: Rethinking Business As Usual
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
Northwest Earth Institute's newest discussion-based course book, Sustainability Works: Rethinking Business as Usual, offers sustainability staff a ready-made employee engagement process designed to inspire green teams and employee teams alike …
- Posted April 29, 2016
- Course Materials
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Sustainable Stanford Earth Day Photos
- Stanford University (CA)
On April 19, 2016, Stanford’s academic, student, local community and leadership came together to celebrate our university’s history of sustainability discovery, innovations and application.
Knowledge to Action was the result …
- Posted April 29, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Princeton University's Earth Day Celebration
- Princeton University (NJ)
The Princeton University community came together to celebrate the earth with food, informational booths, performances and more! The event was organized by the student group, Green Princeton.
- Posted April 29, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Measuring the educational impacts of a graduate course on sustainable development
- Texas A&M University (TX)
While university‐level education is increasingly recognized as an important component of sustainable approaches to development, little empirical research has been done on the impact of sustainability education on student behavior. …
- Posted April 29, 2016
- Publications
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University of Washington Green Greek program
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
The UW EcoReps student group works with representatives of Greek chapters on campus to make the Greek community more sustainable. The Green Greek program works with houses to bring their …
- Posted April 29, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Frostburg State University Earth Day Events
- Frostburg State University (MD)
Frostburg State University celebrates Earth Day each year with a variety of free events presented as "Focus Frostburg." In 2016, events included film presentations, tree plantings, sustainability presentations by students …
- Posted April 29, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
University of Washington Earth Day
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
The UW Earth Day celebrations brought students, faculty, staff and community members together to celebrate the environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts across our UW campuses. Groups shared information about their …
- Posted April 28, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Earth Day at California State University, East Bay!
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
The Zero Waste Team was out tabling this Earth Day along with the Solar Club, GIS, ASI, the Biology Department, Transportation and Parking Services, and other organizations on campus!
- Posted April 28, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Seattle University - Sustainability Video
- Seattle University (WA)
Published on Jun 9, 2014
As a Jesuit institution, Seattle University is called to ground its teaching, research and service in social and environmental justice. Sustainability is a way of …
- Posted April 28, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Organic Educational Opportunities at the University of Minnesota: The Role of a Student-run Organic Farm
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Although the number of students in conventional production agriculture is declining, there is increased interest and opportunity in growing organic fruits and vegetables. Land grant universities need to invest in …
- Posted April 28, 2016
- Publications
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Development of a Year-round Student Organic Farm and Organic Farming Curriculum at Michigan State University
- Michigan State University (MI)
How do you teach community supported agriculture (CSA) principles, small-scale organic farming, and local food issues at a major land grant university and develop related small-scale farming research and outreach? …
- Posted April 28, 2016
- Publications
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Menu Psychology to Encourage Healthy Menu Selections at a New Jersey University
- Montclair State University (NJ)
The objective of this research was to investigate whether merchandizing strategies could encourage college students to make healthy foodservice menu selections. Two hundred sixty-six Montclair State University, New Jersey, students …
- Posted April 28, 2016
- Publications
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Local foods in a university setting: Price consciousness, product involvement, price/quality inference and consumer's willingness-to-pay
- University of South Carolina (SC)
The current study looks at the relationship between price consciousness, product involvement, price/quality inference, and consumer's willingness-to-pay related to local foods in a university foodservice environment. The study develops a …
- Posted April 28, 2016
- Publications
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Student Sustainability Advisory Committee Materials
- University of Central Florida (FL)
A webform was created for an easily accessible application that allowed for extensive outreach. The application did not require any paper usage and allowed for easy organization. The application did …
- Posted April 27, 2016
- Tools
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Earth Day at the University of Minnesota
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
At the Earth Day fair, we hosted a free succulent planting for students that posted "5 sustainable selfies" with the hashtag #MySustainableU. The planters were donated from the ReUse program …
- Posted April 27, 2016
- Photographs
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Indiana University Celebrates Earth Day
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Indiana University celebrated Earth Day 2016 by engaging students in creating a rain garden. The installation of a rain garden outside the IU Student Recreational Sports Center began April 15 …
- Posted April 27, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Portland Community College Sustainability: We're all in this together
- Portland Community College (OR)
Published on Mar 30, 2015
Sustainability at Portland Community College
Visit pcc.edu/sustain
Video produced by the PCC Office of Sustainability and the PCC Video Production Unit
Producers: Michael Annus and …
- Posted April 26, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Celebrating Earth Day One Bite at a Time
- Indiana State University (IN)
On Earth Day at ISU, Sodexo closes one of our dining halls and has an outdoor picnic instead, where students can use their meal plans for a lunch featuring ingredients …
- Posted April 26, 2016
- Photographs
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Spring FARMal at American University
- American University (DC)
Spring FARMAL, Co-hosted by the AU Community Garden and Office of Sustainability, celebrated Earth Day with a screen on the green of "Plant This," outdoor crafts and activities, local food, …
- Posted April 26, 2016
- Photographs
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Stock Images for Waste Signs
- Babson College (MA)
Cut-out images with transparent backgrounds of various items for use in recycling, trash, and compost informational materials.
Images created by Connie Hsu and Sheen Hui for the Babson College Sustainability …
- Posted April 26, 2016
- Outreach Materials
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UCF Sustainability Initiatives
- University of Central Florida (FL)
At Sustainability Initiatives, we seek to create an environment where ideas are freely shared, partnerships are formed and solutions are uncovered in the pursuit of environmental, economic and social sustainability. …
- Posted April 25, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Eco Hawks: Sustainability @ UIowa
- University of Iowa (IA)
Climate change is the greatest issue of our time and sustainability is the solution. Here at the University of Iowa, a place that provides services to not only Iowans but …
- Posted April 22, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Transforming Higher Education: A Practical Plan for Integrating Sustainability Education into the Student Experience
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
This paper introduces a comprehensive plan for integrating sustainability education into the practices of nearly any college or university. Best practices in sustainability education including green orientation, first year education, …
- Posted April 21, 2016
- Publications
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NRDC Greening Advisor for Collegiate Sports
- Natural Resources Defense Council (DC)
Welcome to the NRDC Greening Advisor for Collegiate Sports, a free guide to greening athletics and recreation. Below is some advice for how to navigate this guide and how to …
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Tools
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Alaska Jones - The Quest for the Source of Heat and Power
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)
What is district energy? Learn how the University of Alaska Fairbanks heats and cools their buildings with this fun and entertaining introduction to district energy.
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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University of Oregon Self Guided Sustainability Tour
- University of Oregon (OR)
This self-guided tour will introduce you to a few of the University of Oregon’s numerous environmentally sustainable practices. The tour should take about 1-1/2 hours to complete (the full route …
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
St. Edwards University Sustainability Campus Map
- St. Edward's University (TX)
The map includes information about composting, LED lights, bicycle racks, refillable mug discount locations, local or low-carbon food locations, the chiller plant, and more.
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
Skidmore College Interactive Map of Sustainability
- Skidmore College (NY)
This interactive map lists sustainable locations on the Skidmore campus related to buildings, energy, food, waste, grounds, engagement and transportation. Information about campus tours is also included in the map.
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
Pomona College Sustainability Tour
- Pomona College (CA)
Want a brief overview of Pomona's programs and projects? Bringing a visitor to campus and want to point out our great environmental successes? Download the College's Campus Sustainability Tour, which …
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
NC State Sustainability Map & Tour
- North Carolina State University (NC)
Welcome to a Living Lab for Transformation. NC State’s increasingly sustainable campus is where a Wolfpack of forward-thinkers lives, works, studies and plays. See the innovative, ecofriendly campus features for …
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
ASU Virtual Tour
- Arizona State University (AZ)
At Arizona State University, sustainability is more than a buzzword: it is a philosophy that ASU is constantly working to incorporate into its research, education, outreach, and operations. Through projects …
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
Voluntary Simplicity and Consumerism Discussion Activity
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
Active, personally relevant learning is at the heart of an effective education. This discussion activity takes participants through a process of exploring sustainability through small group discussion and personal reflection …
- Posted April 13, 2016
- Course Materials
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Academic Librarians and the Sustainability Curriculum: Building Alliances to Support a Paradigm Shift
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
Sustainability is a fast evolving movement in higher education demonstrated by a proliferation of academic programs, co-curricular initiatives, and campus projects. Sustainability is now viewed as vital to the mission …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Publications
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Campus Sustainability Leadership Professional Certificate Program
- University of Vermont (VT)
Professional Certificate in Campus Sustainability Leadership
As we stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, colleges, universities, and other institutions must play a critical role in developing innovative practices …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Powering A Bright Future Discussion Activity on Energy Issues
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
Active, personally relevant learning is at the heart of an effective education. This activity takes students and other campus participants through a process of exploring sustainability through small group discussion …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Course Materials
- View more
Climate Change Discussion Activity
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
Active, personally relevant learning is at the heart of an effective education. This
activity takes students or other campus participants through a process of exploring sustainability through small group discussion …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Course Materials
- View more
Food, Ethics and Sustainability Discussion Activity
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
Active, personally relevant learning is at the heart of an effective education.
This activity takes participants through a process of exploring sustainability
through small group discussion and personal reflection designed …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Course Materials
- View more
North D Compost Pilot
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA)
After conducting a waste audit of the North Apartment Residential Complex in October of 2014, it was found that approximately 27% of the trash stream consisted of food waste and …
- Posted April 6, 2016
- Case Studies
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Sustainable Development Primer for Higher Education Presidents, Chancellors, Trustees and Senior Leaders
- Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) (PA)
This primer describes the sustainability related, crucial roles and tasks for presidents, trustees and senior leadership and explains how sustainability is a robust national trend in higher education. The primer …
- Posted March 30, 2016
- Publications
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AASHE Award Winner Webinar - Student Leadership for Campus and Community Sustainability
- University of Hawaii Maui College (HI)
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
This webinar looks at two differing and successful approaches to deepening student engagement in campus and community projects that integrate sustainability into the fabric of the student experience. Both top …
- Posted March 17, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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University of Texas at Austin's Energy Conservation Campaign
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
Aligning with a building energy audit case study, UT Austin developed outreach materials to encourage technical and behavioral energy conservation. Areas covered include Conservation Conversations; Freezer Loaner Program; Horns Up, …
- Posted March 12, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
Zero Waste Football
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
The first season of zero waste football at CU Boulder.
- Posted March 11, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Tailgate Waste Diversion
- University of Southern California (CA)
USC Sustainability and Facilities Management Services are partnering to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill on campus during football tailgates. Student facilitators educate tailgaters on how to …
- Posted March 11, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Collegiate Game Changers: How Campus Sport is Going Green
- AASHE (MA)
- Green Sports Alliance (OR)
- Natural Resources Defense Council (DC)
Collegiate Game Changers documents the substantial greening initiatives taking place throughout North American colleges. The case studies in this report powerfully confirm that collegiate athletics and recreation departments are embracing …
- Posted March 11, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Ohio State University Zero Waste
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Ohio Stadium is the largest stadium in the country to attempt zero waste; diverting 90 percent of materials from the landfill by recycling and composting. Ohio State is leading the …
- Posted March 11, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
UCLA Men's Basketball Sustainability
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
Sustainability PSA about UCLA Men's Basketball Sustainability funded by The Green Initiative Fund.
- Posted March 11, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
UC Davis Sustainability Map
- University of California, Davis (CA)
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
American University Sustainability Map & Tour
- American University (DC)
Accompany Office of Sustainability staff on a guided campus tour of AU's green buildings, vegetated roofs, green energy systems, and more.
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
Sustainable Features Map
- Western Michigan University (MI)
This Western Michigan University Campus Sustainability Features Map identifies buildings, initiatives, and certifications that demonstrate WMU’s effort to build a campus culture of sustainability and model our university’s sustainability commitments. …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
UW Campus Sustainability Map
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
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.