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
New Resources
Nature Village: Engaging Multicultural Families in a Collegiate Setting
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
University Village (UV) is a housing complex located in Albany, California, a city that borders Berkeley, which currently provides housing for 974 families with 2,718 total residents. Many of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Engaging Bike Commuters in All Seasons with a Fun and Friendly Challenge
- University of Iowa (IA)
This presentation will show how the University of Iowa Office of Sustainability created two bike challenges as fun way engage bicyclists and encourage alternative transportation on campus. The Winter Warrior ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Challenge Grants - Leveraging diverse funding sources to secure $100,000 for interdisciplinary projects at UK
- University of Kentucky (KY)
The Sustainability Challenge Grant program was designed to engage multidisciplinary teams from the University community in the creation and implementation of ideas that will promote sustainability by simultaneously advancing economic ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Pick It Up! Trash talk, a garden gnome and the push to eliminate litter at the University of Kentucky.
- University of Kentucky (KY)
Litter is a unique campus challenge with a diverse and unpredictable set of causes and contributing factors. It can also be a black eye for any campus. Pick It Up ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Prolonged Engagement: Growing a Culture of Sustainability within a Student Body
- University of Louisville (KY)
How do we engage our students around sustainability, when their primary focus is on their college experience? How do we get them to care about a sustainable future for the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability education: A campus-wide study guiding an all unit strategic approach at the University of Minnesota, Duluth
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
A team of faculty and staff who were working on sustainability education across the UMD campus conducted an all campus survey (N=1700) to meet the Chancellor's Strategic Initiative ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Engaging Beyond the Sustainability Circle
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Our universities have the potential to create diverse ways of producing sustainable change both on and off campus. This student summit presentation would be a collaborative brainstorm cafe of ways ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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University of Missouri Energy Strategies Student Advisory Group: What's Our Potential?
- University of Missouri (MO)
Students and staff at the University of Missouri (MU) created the Energy Strategies Student Advisory Group (ESSAG) in 2012 to explore coal-free technologies for our on-site energy management facility. Through ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Earthstock: Four Weeks to Learn and Grow
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
Earthstock is a campus-wide celebration of Earth Day throughout the month of April inspired by the iconic Woodstock music festival. Spearheaded by the student government's Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Conversation About Meaningful Metrics and Developing Credibility Within the University
- University of San Diego (CA)
The intention of this session is to have a discussion about how to develop metrics for sustainability that a variety of campus constituents will understand and value within your institution ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A New Way to Turn Trash Into Cash - The University of San Diego Electronics Recycling Center
- University of San Diego (CA)
Winner of the 2014 Best Case Study from a Four-Year or Graduate Institution with 10,000 or Fewer Full-Time Students, the University of San Diego Electronics Recycling Center (USD ERC ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Social Media to Promote Sustainable Efforts
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Because of the general lack of awareness, implementing a Sustainability Program or new sustainability courses is a daunting task. I have been working with Dr. Meghann Jarchow and USD's ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Earth Week 2015 at the University of Virginia: A Story of Collaboration and Sustaina-fication
- University of Virginia (VA)
Earth Week is a week-long celebration of the progress and passion for sustainability, the environment, and our community. It is an educational, fun, and upbeat way to bring environmental consciousness ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Revitalizing Student Outreach
- University of Virginia (VA)
Student outreach bridges the gap between sustainability administration and the larger student body, but sometimes communication between the two sides is ineffective or unclear. At the University of Virginia, the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Advancing Mutual FM/Academic Goals through Strategic Partnerships
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
Universities have long been places for intense dialogue about sustainability issues. However, the emerging paradigm is that dialogue alone is insufficient for addressing the challenges of environmental, economic, and social ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Measuring Attitudes of and Engagement with Sustainability on a Conservative Campus
- Utah State University (UT)
Having worked within sustainability offices at Utah State University (USU), we have learned the necessity of a knowledge-based approach to encouraging a new environmental ethic. We plan to bring such ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Multiplying Impact: Shifting Culture and Driving Outcomes through Network Management
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
Human capital is our greatest asset and an integral part of the change process, with individuals ready to serve as catalysts in departments, offices, labs, and peer groups throughout any ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Lights Out!
- Wells College (NY)
I was part of a small group of students assigned the topic of 'Energy Usage' as a project in our Psychology of Environmental Sustainability Class. We wanted to measure the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Transforming Campus Sustainability & Education: The Student-Led Appalachian State University Renewable Energy Initiative
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The student initiated, funded, & led Renewable Energy Initiative transformed higher education at Appalachian State University. The ASUREI strives to reduce the environmental impact of ASU through the implementation of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Proactive Sustainability Council
- Appalachian State University (NC)
How do you engage faculty, staff, and students in a Sustainability Council? What initiatives take place in a successful Council? How do you keep the momentum? These questions and more ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Preaching to the Choir: Why Faith Based Institutions Must Use Their Unique Positioning to Change the Game
- Baylor University (TX)
Faith based institutions are uniquely positioned to reach an audience of people that secular institutions are not as well equipped to address. Failing to integrate a faith based institution's ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Striking a Balance Between Growth and Engagement: A Case Study of the Student Internship Program at the College of Charleston
- College of Charleston (SC)
As sustainability continues to be one of the fastest growing fields in the country, institutions across the US are working to develop internship programs to meet the needs of both ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sense of Place Programming for Incoming Students
- Colorado College (CO)
Incoming students at Colorado College arrive a week before regular classes start in order to participate in three days of New Student Orientation (NSO) and four days of field-based service ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Beyond the Dining Hall: furthering sustainability initiatives in dining services by involving student groups and classes
- Denison University (OH)
There are wonderful things happening with sustainability in the world of food and campus dining, but too often these initiatives stay within operations, never leaving the dining halls or involving ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Tiny House College Life: No Dorm, No Debt, No Environmental Degradation
- Green Mountain College (VT)
Why wait to be sustainable? Why pay excessive room and board while having a stagnant, unyielding carbon footprint? The tiny house movement is growing in strength as this life style ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Internet2 pilot program case study: Innova EV Car Share
- Innova EV (IL)
In this session, Innova UEV Founder, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer Roman Kuropas will chronicle the Internet2 competition that led to a pilot EV Car Share program at four leading ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Office Certification at Lane Community College
- Lane Community College (OR)
Many colleges and universities have Green Office Certifications. These programs can be complicated, time-consuming, and confusing. They can also be overly simplistic and not result in any meaningful changes. Lane ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing a sustainability brand and visual identity guide for your campus
- Lehigh University (PA)
In this workshop, participants will learn to develop and apply an unique sustainability brand and visual identity for their campus. We will discuss strategies for leveraging this brand to engage ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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No Impact Meal: A Guide to an Interactive Cooking Experience of Food Sustainability and Social Justice
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
The case study focuses on the journey of the No Impact Meal from the narrative, 'No Impact Man,' to a First-Year Convocation Picnic, and ultimately an intimate, interactive food experience ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Spreading the Word: Effective Communication on Campus
- Luther College (IA)
Effective communication is essential in promoting and running any sustainability initiative. Every day, institutions are coming up with projects that further our energy efficiency, connect us to local food systems ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Saving energy at Macalester: Research on dormitory energy consumption displays
- Macalester College (MN)
Macalester College is committed to reducing its energy consumption and reaching carbon neutrality by 2025. With this goal in mind, the Macalester College Sustainability Office has established a partnership with ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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E-Waste and a Smart(er) Triple Bottom Line: Campus Electronic Waste Management, Natural Security User Challenges & Social Media Opportunities
- Maryville College (TN)
Mobile 'smart' phone electronic (E) waste remains among the fastest growing waste streams in the United States and the world. North American Colleges and Universities need to refocus their campus-wide ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Gamifying getting around
- My Open Road (CA)
How to encourage the use of alternative transportation both on and off campus through social competition and reward incentives.
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Higher Education Networking Event for Florida Student Leaders and Organizations
- Nova Southeastern University (FL)
My name is Sanne Siska, and I am president of Green Sharks, The NSU Student Sustainability Club. Parting from this year's theme 'Transforming Sustainability Education', at Nova Southeastern University ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Feeding Two Birds with One Scone: Building Sustainable Communities and Student Leaders through Place-based Projects
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Colleges and universities have a unique opportunity to assist local communities to address climate mitigation and adaption by translating research into practice. Colleges and universities also have a moral obligation ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Overcoming the Hostile Environment: Steps to Incorporating Sustainability at a Reluctant Institution and in a Divided Community
- Prescott College (AZ)
At first glance, the small liberal arts college where I teach and the St. Louis Metro region do not seem to have much in common: one is a predominately white ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Finance 101: How can Campus Sustainability Officers and Business Officers Speak the Same Language?
- Second Nature (MA)
Campus sustainability professionals must frequently build the business case for campus sustainability projects. While they are well versed in environmental issues, communication strategy, and other planning skills, greater knowledge of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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All About No Waste: Using Pop Culture to Engage Students in Sustainability
- Stanford University (CA)
Each year, Stanford University competes against hundreds of universities in RecycleMania, a national competition to increase recycling and composting and reduce waste on campus. Headed into the ninth year of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Fostering Sustainability Engagement: My Cardinal Green
- Stanford University (CA)
Founded in 2008, Stanford's Office of Sustainability aims to expand upon the success of infrastructure innovation to educate and engage the campus community through seasonal, targeted conservation efforts: Cardinal ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Use This, Not That: Best Practices in Green Event Consulting
- Stanford University (CA)
For the past 30 years, Stanford has designed and implemented innovative, campus-wide infrastructural programs to address sustainability in energy, water, waste and building efficiency. Stanford's Office of Sustainability, founded ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building a Campus-Wide Sustainability Network from the Ground Up, a Case Study
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
In this presentation I will detail the work and progress made in developing our campus sustainability structure. At SUNY Geneseo, sustainability has been part of the conversation on campus for ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Sustainability Centers and Offices' 3 R's: Resources, Roles, and Revenue
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
This round table session seeks to share the successes, challenges, and lessons learned related to founding and managing student focused sustainability resource centers. Discussion topics will include: Topic 1: Revenue ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cultivating a Zero Waste Culture on Campus
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
In 2014, UC Berkeley was at 48% waste diversion, well behind the UC wide goal of Zero Waste by 2020. We are just coming to the tipping point where we ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Integrating Composting and Recycling in University of California Berkeley Residence Halls
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Achieving Zero Waste at any college campus is riddled with obstacles and push back. The campus residence halls offer a huge opportunity to capitalize on reducing campus generated waste and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Waste Minimization Pilot Projects at the University of Denver
- University of Denver (CO)
In this case study, I will go over the successes and failures of student run pilot projects. As a student, I have experienced what is needed to make a pilot ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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SLIM: A Sustainability Bridge Linking Campus to Community
- University of Hawaii Maui College (HI)
The Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM) at UH Maui College is nine years old. It has successfully presented numerous trainings in sustainability specialties such as renewable energy, green building ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Growing a Successful RecycleMania Campaign
- University of Iowa (IA)
RecycleMania has grown at the University of Iowa from a quiet program in 2013 and a 5th place finish in the Big Ten to a well-known time of the year ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cornercopia Student Organic Farm at The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Cornercopia is an organic farm that provides students hands-on whole farm learning opportunities, food for the local community and a place for community building, multi-disciplinary education, research and outreach. Started ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Free-Range Student Employees: How to build a hands-off, highly engaged student employee program
- University of Virginia (VA)
The Sustainability Student Employee program at U.Va. has, over the past 6 years, effectively run U.Va.'s student outreach programs and campaigns, winning national awards and making impactful ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energize UVa- The Ins and Outs of Student Outreach
- University of Virginia (VA)
Every fall the Office for Sustainability organizes The Dorm Energy Race, a month-long competition among first year dorms to reduce energy consumption at the University of Virginia. The hope is ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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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.