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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Nation's first university residence hall established to celebrate American Indian culture and heritage
- Cornell University (NY)
American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Hope Forward - A pay-it-forward model for tuition - Hope College
- Hope College (MI)
A pay-it-forward model for tuition - Hope Forward is a tuition model at Hope College where students fund their education through gifts after graduation rather than paying for college through …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Brandeis Year of Climate Action infographic
- Brandeis University (MA)
Infographic with details about Brandeis' Year of Climate Action
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Colorado State University Photos for 2023 SCI
- Colorado State University (CO)
Academic, engagement, and research photos submitted for use in the 2023 SCI.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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RVCC's new greenhouse
- Raritan Valley Community College (NJ)
Donors to the RVCC Foundation funded the construction of a new campus greenhouse, which is devoted to student education. Environmental Science students, Environmental Club members, and Center for Environmental Studies …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
- Photographs
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Environmental Science major learns horticulture first-hand
- Raritan Valley Community College (NJ)
One of RVCC's Center for Environmental Studies interns growing native plants in the original campus greenhouse.
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
- Photographs
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Colgate Student Sustainability Consortium Fall 2022 Summit
- Colgate University (NY)
Gathering of student sustainability leaders to coordinate and plan for ways to advance the practice of sustainability on Colgate University's campus.
- Posted Aug. 18, 2023
- Photographs
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Greening the Bottom Line: Advancing Institutional Sustainability Goals With Green Revolving Funds
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
Greening the Bottom Line: Advancing Institutional Sustainability Goals with Green Revolving Funds tracks the latest trends and highlights best practices to enable more institutions and communities to learn about and …
- Posted Aug. 17, 2023
- Publications
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Aligning with Place: A case study in xeriscaping at Gonzaga University's Office of Sustainability.
- Gonzaga University (WA)
This project's goal was to xeriscape the front lawn of the Office of Sustainability, transforming it from a grass lawn into a lawn with mulch and drought-tolerant plants. The xeriscape …
- Posted July 17, 2023
- Case Studies
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Sustainability Tour of the Yale Farm
- Yale University (CT)
As part of Celebrate Sustainability Week at Yale in October 2022, the Yale Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Office of International Students & Scholars, organized a “Lunch and …
- Posted June 27, 2023
- Photographs
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At the moment of disposal: how messaging techniques at university public outdoor waste receptacles can improve the solid waste stream
- University of Florida (FL)
Purpose: This study aims to test how waste disposal behaviors can be changed such as higher recycling diversion and lower contamination rates using signage and messaging techniques at public outdoor …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Climate change education in China: a pioneering case of its implementation in tertiary education and its effects on students’ beliefs and attitudes
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Purpose: In view of a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of climate change education (CCE) in China, this study aims to evaluate if a CCE course newly designed based …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Relationships Between Institutional Agents and Student Activists
- Colorado State University (CO)
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Utah (UT)
- University of West Georgia (GA)
Researchers studying college student activism have learned much about those students’ motivations, tactics, and educational outcomes. Less is known about the relationships between activists and key institutional agents. For student …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Using Strategies Elites Understand: Divestment as an Approach to Social Change
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Campus (NJ)
- University of Southern California (CA)
Over the past 50 years, student activists and community organizers on college campuses have advocated for divestment as a strategy to enact necessary change. These activists and organizers are often …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Bottled vs tap water perceptions, choices and recommendations in a US Midwest university community
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
- University of Southern Maine (ME)
Purpose:This study aims to determine preference and concerns regarding tap vs bottled water and recommendations to increase tap water use in a US Midwest university. The authors propose interventions to …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Environmental and Climate Impact Perceptions in University Students: Sustainability Motivations and Perceptions Correspond with Lower Red Meat Intake
- Merrimack College (MA)
- University of California, Davis (CA)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (MD)
Background: Red meat production is a leading contributor to food-related greenhouse gas emissions. Decreasing red meat intake can mitigate climate change and lower risk of diet-related diseases. Objective: The goal …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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An analysis of students’ attitudes and behaviors toward on-campus sustainable dining initiatives
- University of North Carolina, Wilmington (NC)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine students’ attitudes toward sustainable dining. It aims to identify the level of importance that students place on specific on-campus sustainable dining …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Assessing sustainability knowledge for undergraduate students in different academic programs and settings
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (WI)
Purpose: As sustainability teaching and learning rises in importance, an increasing number of higher education institutions (HEIs) are assessing the effectiveness of their approach to sustainability education. However, most assessments …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Sustainability infrastructure insights from a campus sustainability survey
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
The physical and social infrastructure of an environment influences the ability of that place to be sustainable. To evaluate the sustainability culture and literacy of a university environment, a campus …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Student perceptions and interests in sustainability: differences among student groups and impact on student sustainability program participation
- University of Georgia (GA)
Purpose: This study aims to examine factors that impact participation of diverse university students in an academic sustainability certificate and Office of Sustainability internships at the University of Georgia, recognizing …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Higher Education and Food Access: A Case Study of Food Access Initiatives and Their Community Impact
- Central Washington University (WA)
Food security issues are being prioritized across college campuses and among student communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While basic needs services are typically available on campuses, there …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Communicating Sustainability Through Websites of Higher Education Institutions of New Jersey
- Seton Hall University (NJ)
Sustainability is integrated into the higher education institutions as a new culture. Since the emergence of various declarations and policies, higher education institutions have integrated, implemented and practiced sustainability in …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Sustainable Living Edu
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
For my senior project, I created a virtual sustainability training program called ‘Sustainable Living Edu’ for students and employees at Cal Poly SLO. There is a lack of environmental literacy …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Improving Energy Stewardship at Michigan Technological University's Athletic Complexes
- Michigan Technological University (MI)
Athletics departments are showcases for universities, serving as a public face and recruitment outlet that communicates university identity to the world. This applied research project examines the state of electrical …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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An Examination of University Employees' Green Workplace Behaviors
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
As colleges and universities implement or enhance campus sustainability programs and administrators seek to understand the impact of such programs on their campuses, much effort has focused on understanding the …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Environmental Attitudes of Community College Students Concerning Age, Gender, and Race
- St. John's University, New York (NY)
Many studies have shown the mental, physical, and academic benefits of environmental education to students. Equally important, environmental education can develop our students into more environmentally minded citizens. However, we …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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The Green Passport Program: Proposing A Study Abroad Program to Encourage Sustainable Behavior and Offset Emissions
- University of Richmond (VA)
The University of Richmond has a goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, and in order to do this, carbon offsets are likely a necessary component to implement in lieu …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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CUB Plastic Shipping Bag Recycling Program
- Gettysburg College (PA)
We implemented a plastic shipping bag recycling program at Gettysburg College. Recycling bags contribute towards contamination within the college's single-stream recycling or end up directly in the landfill via traditional …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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A model of behavioral climate change education for higher educational institutions
- University of Arizona (AZ)
This paper puts forth a novel model of Climate Change Education (CCE) targeting to bridge the attitude-behavior gap in students’ climate action, called the behavioral CCE. It refers to relevant …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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End of Year Celebration at the garden
- University of Southern California (CA)
Student interns and Office of Sustainability staff members celebrate the end of the school year at the USC Peace Garden.
- Posted June 9, 2023
- Photographs
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How to be a Sustainable Trojan presentation
- University of Southern California (CA)
Office of Sustainability staff member presents on How to be a Sustainable Trojan to fellow staff members at an Earth Month 2023 event.
- Posted June 9, 2023
- Photographs
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USC Office of Sustainability tabling at Earth Month 2023 Festival
- University of Southern California (CA)
Staff members from the USC Office of Sustainability tabling at the Earth Month 2023 festival on campus.
- Posted June 9, 2023
- Photographs
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USC Spring 2023 Sustainability Town Hall
- University of Southern California (CA)
Students, faculty, and staff gather to hear updates.
- Posted June 9, 2023
- Photographs
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Fahy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation Open House
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
On January 31st, the campus community filled the halls of the new Fahy Commons, visiting the academic and program spaces getting an up-close look at its remarkable sustainability features. Sustainability …
- Posted June 7, 2023
- Photographs
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Endicott College Sustainability Office 2022-2023
- Endicott College (MA)
Endicott College full-time Director and Coordinator (far right, far left respectively) with 2022-2023 student staff.
- Posted June 7, 2023
- Photographs
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CSUCI Sustainability Staff Tabling for Clean Air Day Tree Planting
- California State University, Channel Islands (CA)
CSU Channel Islands sustainability staff welcome guests to the tree planting event at the university's Clean Air Day celebration. Featuring Roxane Beigel-Coryell, sustainability & energy director, and Rhianna Torres, sustainability …
- Posted June 7, 2023
- Photographs
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Student Led Composting in Residence Halls
- Drake University (IA)
In 2021, a student recognized the opportunity to reduce waste landfilled from residence halls. Working with Facilities, Residence Life, and Community Engaged Learning, a grant was applied for and received …
- Posted June 7, 2023
- Case Studies
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The Sulitest Certificate: a new global standard for assessing sustainability knowledge
- AASHE (MA)
- Sulitest
The Sulitest was the first tangible implementation of the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative at the United Nations’ Rio+20 event in 2012 to allow educational institutions and their students to assess …
- Posted June 1, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Ohio State's Composting Expansion
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Ohio State’s Compost Program Expansion led by Facilities, Operations, and Development (FOD), in collaboration with Student Life, Athletics, Wexner Medical Center, the Sustainability Institute, and many student groups, enabled the …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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FRESH to Table: A Homegrown Dining Initiative
- Boston College (MA)
Boston College (BC) seeks to foster the ethical and personal formation of its students to prepare them for citizenship, service, and leadership in a global society. In addition, as a …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Resilience Cohort, Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
The Resilience Cohort (RC) is a program of the Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) at Indiana University (IU) that helps Indiana city, town, and county governments to measure and reduce local …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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OwlSwap– A Social Equity and Environmental Sustainability Textiles and Apparel Initiative at Kennesaw State University
- Kennesaw State University (GA)
Clothing production is one of the most polluting, resource-intensive industrial processes on the planet. On average, over 80 lbs of textile waste per person ends up in landfills every year, …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Earth Fest
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
Earth Fest, a free and inclusive community celebration of the past, present, and future sustainability efforts in River Falls and the surrounding area. This family friendly event was held for …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Brandeis University’s Year of Climate Action
- Brandeis University (MA)
In 2019, a task force set out to write a new climate action plan for the university. Among its recommendations was to dedicate an entire year to catalyzing and deepening …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Addressing Climate Anxiety through Resilience and Community Building
- Portland Community College (OR)
Sustainability and climate work require resilience to fend off burnout and avoidance. While our college does good work promoting sustainability through our Climate Action Plan and curricular and co-curricular environmental …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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"Improv to Improve the Earth"
- University of California, Merced (CA)
The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) in partnership with Quarantine Improv (QI) hosted its second annual Earth Day event, "Improv to Improve the Earth". The goal was to bring …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Bottle Filling Stations at UCI 2023
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
UCI Facilities Management in collaboration with the Campus as a Living Lab class brought together interns to embark on the revitalization of the bottle filling stations program. The pandemic halted …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Equity and Justice Working Group- Tufts Eco Reps
- Tufts University (MA)
I implemented an Equity and Justice Working Group (EJWG) within the Tufts Eco Rep program Fall 2022 with the goal to integrate DEIJ principles into the core of the Eco …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Yale Undergrad Confronts the Emanating Climate Threat of Refrigerant Leaks through the Yale Refrigerants Initiative (YRI)
- Yale University (CT)
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many (if not all) universities’ sustainability offices had to reimagine what engaging with their communities looked like and how they’d meet campus sustainability …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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WSU Office of Campus Sustainability
- Wayne State University (MI)
The Office of Campus Sustainability holds around 25 engagement events throughout the year and reaches around 350 students and countless community members. Each of the student leaders within the Office …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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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.