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
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Transylvania University Big Green Get Around
- Transylvania University (KY)
Faculty, staff and students participated in a variety of low or no-carbon activities during Transylvania University's Big Green Get Around
- Posted Sept. 14, 2016
- Photographs
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Muhlenberg College Water Conservation Native Plants
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
Muhlenberg College has a living learning experience for undergraduate students at the Treehouse. Here, students manage the permculture garden and community vegetable garden which includes a rainwater collection system. The ...
- Posted Sept. 14, 2016
- Photographs
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Furnace Brook Center Smart Home Laboratory
- Onondaga Community College (NY)
Onondaga Community College has created a smart home laboratory at the College's Furnace Brook Center with the help of a $2.5 million grant from the Department of Energy ...
- Posted Sept. 14, 2016
- Photographs
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Chatham University Grounds and Eden Hall Campus
- Chatham University (PA)
Building on the legacy of alum Rachel Carson (‘29), Chatham University has practiced a pest management plan since 2000 that bans chemical pesticides on all campus grounds and actively preserves ...
- Posted Sept. 13, 2016
- Photographs
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Boreas Leadership Program - University of Minnesota
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Boreas offers University of Minnesota graduate and professional students and post-doctoral fellows free co-curricular leadership development opportunities that build on the strengths of graduate education to create effective change agents ...
- Posted Sept. 13, 2016
- Photographs
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Water is a priority at Wellesley College
- Wellesley College (MA)
Photo shows the importance of water at Wellesley College. We have our own wells and water treatment facility for potable water. The college is also located within the Charles River ...
- Posted Sept. 13, 2016
- Photographs
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Lehigh University Campus Engagement
- Lehigh University (PA)
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Sustainability 2020
- Green Mountain College (VT)
Ten years ago, students in an honors seminar investigated ways to reduce Green Mountain College’s ecological footprint. The class identified the biggest source of carbon emissions–the college’s ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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University of Minnesota Living Lab
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Campus grounds are more than a a backdrop at the University of Minnesota. Our Living Laboratories have transformed otherwise un-programmed areas into outdoor spaces for innovation, testing, demonstration, and learning ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Western Michigan University Office for Sustainability Engagement Initiatives
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Western Michigan University's Office for Sustainability
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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UBC Sustainability
- University of British Columbia (BC)
The university is working to embed sustainability across teaching, learning and research, operations and infrastructure, and the community.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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University at Albany Harvest Festival
- University at Albany (NY)
This photo depicts students from the Office of Sustainability tabling at the Office of Residential Life's annual Harvest Festival, which celebrates local food and healthy eating.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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University at Albany Trashion Fashion show
- University at Albany (NY)
This is a picture of our Trashion Fashion award winners. Trashion Fashion is the annual centerpiece event of Recyclemania. The Office of Sustainability partners with the Office of Residential Life ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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DoubleMap Bus Tracking Systems
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Students at Indiana University Bloomington formed the DoubleMap startup company and developed the DoubleMap bus tracking system in collaboration with campus stakeholders and with financial assistance from the IU Student ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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EMC 2016 summer ANR team created several short focused videos about recycling and composting intiatives
- Champlain College (VT)
The Emergent Media Center (EMC) is a Center of Excellence at Champlain College. We hire students to work on projects, the students work with the clients, work under deadlines utilizing ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Bowdoin Green Athletics
- Bowdoin College (ME)
The Bowdoin College sustainability office and Green Athletics student group work closely on the Green Athletics Team Challenge, which encourages sports teams to commit to sustainability goals and compete against ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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SUNY Polytechnic Institute Campus Conservation Nationals Flyers
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (NY)
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Outreach Materials
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A collaborative programme in sustainability and social responsibility
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to collect methodological strategies used in the training of future teachers to develop competences in sustainability and social responsibility (SSR). The proposal in ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Publications
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Integrating sustainability across the university curriculum
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Purpose
Colleges and universities increasingly have the mandate and motivation to integrate sustainability into their curricula. The purpose of this paper is to share the strategy used at the University ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Publications
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Is sustainability knowledge half the battle?: An examination of sustainability knowledge, attitudes, norms, and efficacy to understand sustainable behaviours
- Michigan State University (MI)
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Washington, Tacoma (WA)
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of sustainability knowledge to pro-environmental behaviour. A common misperception is that unsustainable behaviours are largely driven by a lack ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Publications
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Sustainable facility development: perceived benefits and challenges
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceived benefits and challenges of implementing sustainable initiatives in collegiate recreational sports facilities. Additionally, this paper intends to contribute to ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Publications
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Supporting Solar Energy through a Student-Financed Renewable Energy Initiative
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- Second Nature (MA)
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association (WI)
The "Solar University Network: Innovation in Solar Energy Finance & Development" case study series highlights higher education investment in solar energy projects. The purpose of these case studies is to ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Publications
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Root Program at Williams College
- Williams College (MA)
Williams College Root leaders emulate the Mighty Food Farm flexing tomato logo after an afternoon of volunteering on the Southern Vermont farm.
The non profit organization Manos Unidas led Williams ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Appalachian State University students have a hands-on sustainability experience
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Appalachian State University’s leadership in sustainability education can be traced back to more than 25 years. The university houses the nation’s longest running Sustainable Development Program (est. 1991 ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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New System Can Help Save Water with a Couple of Clicks
- University of California, Merced (CA)
Quick-response codes are posted in each restroom in SSM so people can submit repair requests just by scanning with their smart phones.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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SUNY Polytechnic Institute Building Energy Dashboard
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (NY)
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Beyond LEED: Living Buildings Earth Week Lecture 2014
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (NY)
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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2016 LIU Post Sustainability Award Recipients
- LIU Post (NY)
This is a photo of LIU Post's 2016 campus sustainability award recipients and our guest speaker, L. Hunter Lovins. Each spring, LIU Post hosts a sustainability banquet to showcase ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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UCR Green Lab in Action
- University of California, Riverside (CA)
UCR is implementing a Green Lab Program to engage researchers on the Sustainability. An energy efficient Ultra-Low Temperature freezer is loan to encourage the defrost of their ULT, allowing to ...
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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New Student Sustainability Fee Impacts Buildings, Research, and Student Activities
- Frostburg State University (MD)
A part of the newly implemented Student Sustainability Fee was allocated to competitive grants open to students, faculty and staff. In the first round of competition, the fee was able ...
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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NC State Students Champion Solar Installation
- North Carolina State University (NC)
In 2016, the Park Scholarships program celebrates its 20th year. Each class of Park Scholars chooses a legacy gift to leave the university, and the Class of 2015 chose to ...
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Elon Students at Environmental Center at Loy Farm
- Elon University (NC)
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Good Business Friday Discussion
- Babson College (MA)
Weekly discussion of sustainability in business hosted by the Lewis Institute at Babson.
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Student at event recycling station
- Babson College (MA)
Student at zero waste station at Babson College's From Day One Fest event
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Tapping campus maple trees
- Babson College (MA)
Students, faculty, and staff working together to tap campus maple trees to make maple syrup.
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Tour of Residence Hall Rooftop Solar
- Babson College (MA)
Sustainability Office staff and interns touring new rooftop solar thermal system.
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Parkerson Mill Creek restoration after one growing season
- Auburn University (AL)
This is Parkerson Mill Creek one growing season after completion of the stream restoration project.
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Photographs
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Spartan Treasure Hunt
- Michigan State University (MI)
In these photos, Michigan State University facilities employees observe equipment while participating in a Spartan Treasure Hunt.
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Photographs
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Student Beekeepers: Almost as Busy as Bees
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
This photograph was taken on April 22 (Earth Day!), 2016. It shows members of the Beekeeping Club at Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs tending their bees and teaching students ...
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Photographs
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A Mixed Methods Assessment of the Development, Use, and Educational Effectiveness of University Campus Sustainability Tours
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
Campus sustainability tours are available at dozens of colleges and universities across the United States. These tours are considered a vital tool in interpreting the environmental and sustainable aspects of ...
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Publications
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Rebranding the WKU Office of Sustainability
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
Since its inception in 2008, the WKU Office of Sustainability has struggled with general program and initiative awareness as well as student engagement in university sponsored sustainability activities. Attempts to ...
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Publications
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Furman's CCC weatherizes it's 100th home
- Furman University (SC)
The Community Conservation Corps (CCC), coordinated by Furman's David E. Shi Center for Sustainability, partners with a local utility company and Habitat for Humanity to provide needed home weatherization ...
- Posted Sept. 1, 2016
- Photographs
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Sustainability teaching in higher education institutions of Kazakhstan
Sustainability teaching is challenging due to problems of the economic development, as well as of overcoming a post-communist mentality in countries with economies in transition. This is particularly relevant for ...
- Posted Aug. 29, 2016
- Publications
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University of Manitoba BEE / HOUSE / LAB Open International Design Competition
- University of Manitoba (MB)
BEE / HOUSE / LAB is an international design competition hosted by the University of Manitoba and open to students and designers in the field of environmental design, architecture, landscape architecture, industrial ...
- Posted Aug. 25, 2016
- Photographs
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Nursing students’ attitudes towards sustainability and health care
- University of Plymouth (Devon)
Aim
To evaluate attitudes towards embedding sustainability and climate change in nursing curricula among nursing students, some of whom had participated in a sustainability and health skills session, and determine ...
- Posted Aug. 24, 2016
- Publications
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Making Sustainable Behaviors the Norm at the University of Minnesota Duluth
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
Interviews with undergraduate students were conducted as part of a follow-up to a survey soliciting information about student engagement in sustainability at a small upper Great Lakes public university. The ...
- Posted Aug. 24, 2016
- Publications
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Bitten by the Green Design Bug
According to U.S. News & World Report, "sustainability sensibility is sweeping through and transforming the curricula in America's colleges of engineering, as more educators emphasize the importance of ...
- Posted Aug. 24, 2016
- Publications
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College hopefuls look for green universities
- USA TODAY (VA)
USA Today reports that "the nation's college-bound students are increasingly looking for green - and no, that doesn't mean just money."
- Posted Aug. 23, 2016
- Publications
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Do students really choose colleges based on how green they are?
A Princeton Review survey finds that incoming freshmen would weigh information about environmental issues into their college decisions, but average students say it’s not on their radar
- Posted Aug. 23, 2016
- Publications
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Framing Sustainability for the Free, Frugal, and Fit & Fabulous
- Utah State University (UT)
Selling Utah State University students on a new ‘Blue Goes Green’ fee to fund sustainability projects on campus has involved connecting sustainability with the students’ desires for freedom, saving money ...
- Posted Aug. 23, 2016
- Publications
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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.