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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New Resources
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
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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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A Culture of Sustainability at the University of Montana
The University of Montana Office of Sustainability and ASUM Sustainability Center partnered with a student production company, KPCN, to produce a video that represents the grassroots culture of sustainability at …
- Posted April 26, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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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
- View more
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
- View more
The Class of 2000 Report: Environmental Education, Practices and Activism on Campus
The aims of this report are twofold: to provide basic information and ideas which will enhance the understanding of environmental education, practices and activism on campus; and to develop action …
- Posted April 25, 2016
- Publications
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Taking the University to Task: For many colleges and universities, environmental studies are no longer just academic
- Worldwatch Institute
This article provides an overview of the campus sustainability movement in 1998, with a focus on student activism and engagement.
- Posted April 25, 2016
- Publications
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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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Educating for sustainability: environmental pledges as part of tertiary pedagogical practice in science teacher education
Educating for sustainability has been a key principle underpinning the primary/middle undergraduate teacher education programme at an Australian University for the past decade. Educating for sustainability seeks to provide knowledge …
- Posted April 20, 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
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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
University of British Columbia Sustainability Walking Tour
- University of British Columbia (BC)
UBC’s sustainability efforts, experiments and accomplishments can be seen in every corner of our campus. The "Sustainability Walk: a walking tour of UBC” map takes visitors on a 60 to …
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
Dalhousie University Green Map
- Dalhousie University (NS)
This map was created for ENVS 3502.03 (Winter 2005). This map is part of the global Green Map System.
- 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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Focus on Educating for Sustainability: Toolkit for Academic Libraries
Academic libraries must respond to the increasing focus on educating for sustainability and go beyond greening libraries to become active partners in advancing education and research for sustainability. This edited …
- 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
Sustainability Culture Indicator
- Awake (Victoria)
Developed in 2011 and since used in dozens of organizations around the world, the Sustainability Culture Indicator (SCI) is an online survey which measures the extent to which sustainability is …
- Posted April 10, 2016
- Tools
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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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Learner-Centered Teaching Activities for Environmental and Sustainability Studies
The broad goal of this volume from Springer International Publishing is to help advance environmental education practices that help increase students’ environmental literacy through learner-centered teaching activities.
- Posted March 29, 2016
- Publications
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AASHE Award Winner Webinar - Student Leadership for Campus and Community Sustainability
- University of Hawaii Maui College (HI)
- 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
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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
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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
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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
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Shut the Sash Sticker
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
This sticker is intended to remind lab workers to shut the sash of their fume hood.
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
AASHE Celebrates Campus Sustainability!
- Harvard University (MA)
- Portland State University (OR)
- Stanford University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) invited several distinguished higher education sustainability professionals to share their thoughts on where sustainability has been and where it …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Dr. David Orr Presents AASHE 2015 Monday Keynote Address
- Oberlin College (OH)
- AASHE (MA)
Dr. David Orr, Oberlin 2020 Project founder and Senior Adviser to the President at Oberlin College, spoke on the AASHE 2015 conference theme, Transforming Sustainability Education.
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Brave New Workshop Presents an AASHE 2015 Keynote Address
- AASHE (MA)
Margi Simmons and Elena Imaretska with Brave New Workshop, shared tips and tactics to help arm the higher education community to better advance sustainability efforts.
Brave New Workshop, based in …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Dr. Stephen Mulkey Presents AASHE 2015 Opening Keynote Address
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
- AASHE (MA)
Dr. Mulkey has been the president at Unity College for more than four years ago. As president, he is a champion of sustainability science, which he sees as the defining …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
State of Sustainability: 10 Things to Know About Colorado State University
- Colorado State University (CO)
Colorado State has a long history as one of the nation’s most sustainable universities, but now CSU is the first university in the world to ever have its sustainability efforts …
- 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.