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
Open Access Sustainability Survey Data: How to integrate a longitudinal dataset into your classroom
- Michigan State University (MI)
Many people call for research data to be made publicly available and praise those who publish their work in open access outlets. But what good is such data if no ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Low Cost TDM Toolkit
- Harvard University (MA)
As sustainability professionals, it is our responsibility to educate our campus community about available sustainable options. The Harvard University CommuterChoice Program is dedicated to providing the best commuting information, programming ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Sustainability Institute at a PUI: Vision, Formation, and Our First Three Years.
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
In 2017 the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh launched the Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations (SIRT). As an Institute at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) and with a focus on fostering ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing an introductory Chemistry and Sustainability course for Sustainability majors
- The College of Saint Scholastica (MN)
This talk will discuss the pedagogical experiences and challenges of developing and teaching an introductory level Chemistry and Sustainability course as part of a new Sustainability Studies major at The ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Transitioning from Ideation to Implemention: How to Launch an Impactful Campaign or Program
- Wilfrid Laurier University (ON)
As sustainability staff or students, we often want to create innovative campaigns or programs on campus to reach a large audience. Sometimes we skip the basics of designing a program ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Mushroom Canoe, Algae Biofuels, and Earthwalls at the Nebraska State Fair Sustainability Pavilion
- Central Community College (NE)
CCC's environmental sustainability office has hosted student projects at the Nebraska State Fair Sustainability Pavilion and at on campus Earth Month events. Sustainability Director Benjamin Newton will give an ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Can you really change behavior with an app?
- PIPS Education Fund (NY)
The stats are stark: 1) Students may leave college over unpaid debts of as little as $1,000, contributing to annual losses to attrition among public colleges and universities of ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Cooking Evangelism in College Curriculum and Programs - A Pathway to a Sustainable Food Future
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Many thought leaders and organizations have charted the path to a future sustainable food system, and most of these strategies require that we regain the essential skill of home cooking ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Green Career Planning Toolkit: Helping You Help Students Prepare for Sustainable Jobs
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
Learn about a free, online Green Career Center featuring an annual two-day online conference, webinars, interviews, and more. View an illustration of the Green Career Planning Tool developed by the ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Successes and Lessons Learned: Using Digital Badges to Engage Students in Sustainability
- Central Community College (NE)
In 2015, Central Community College embarked on a series of sustainability digital badging projects in an effort to engage students, faculty, and the community on sustainability topics. To that end ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Green Greeks at the University of Denver
- University of Denver (CO)
The purpose of the project is to make greek life at the University of Denver more sustainable. Right now we are focusing on performing energy audits on every fraternity and ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Energy Challenge 2020
- University of Denver (CO)
The Energy Challenge is a month long initiative where The Center for Sustainability's Energy Team works to encourage students to reduce their energy use throughout the month. We do ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Breaking into Academics Without a PhD: Creating Sustainability Curriculum from Facilities
- Florida State University (FL)
How can Offices of Sustainability change the academic culture of their institutions without an academic home? Colleges and universities are institutions of learning, and sustainability curriculum that engages students in ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Gear Garage: Making the Outdoors More Accessible
- University of Denver (CO)
The DU Gear Garage was established during the 2016-2017 school year by two students who were looking to make getting outside more accessible to the wider campus community. It was ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Fair Trade and Campus Advocacy as Tools for a Just Transition
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities
Fair Trade Campaigns is a powerful grassroots movement mobilizing thousands of conscious consumers and Fair Trade advocates on campuses and in communities across the U.S. We partner with more ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Stories from the Real Meals Campaign: Student Organizers Building a Just Food System on Campus
- Real Food Challenge (MA)
Students at campuses all across the country are building power to transform our current food system to one that is grounded in racial equity, justice, and dignity for us and ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
New Methodology and Measurement Tool Linking Curricula to the 2030 Agenda and University Strategy
- Copenhagen Business School
At Copenhagen Business School (CBS), 2008 marked the beginning of a university-wide effort towards connecting curriculum to Responsibility, Ethics and Sustainability (RES). As a United Nations PRME (Principles of Responsible ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Embedding SDG competencies into global education curriculum
- The GREEN Program (PA)
This session will discuss the process of designing global education programs that educate for SDG competencies and measure progress in SDG comprehension through pre- and post-program assessment. The session will ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
University Sustainability Funds 2.0: A Model for the Next Generation
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
- McGill University (QC)
The University of Washington's Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) and McGill University's Sustainability Project Fund (SPF) are two of the largest university sustainability funds in North America with yearly ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Engaged Learning in the Landscape
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Campus (NJ)
Land grant institutions have historically used the campus landscape as a classroom and laboratory for teaching, research and outreach on agricultural topics. Contemporary challenges urged us to expand this model ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Social Justice in Learning Outcomes: Environmental Literacy in an Indigenous Language Hotspot
- Everett Community College (WA)
This session introduces a bottom-up approach to curriculum in environmental literacy, aligned explicitly to social justice learning outcomes at a state community college in Everett, Washington. Presented herein are three ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building cross-institutional sustainability and equity partnerships
- Bemidji State University (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
This workshop will include real-life examples, strategies and tactics to support successful cross-institutional partnerships that promote interconnectedness and integration of equity, diversity, inclusion and sustainability. Learn why a strong partnership ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability Strategic Planning: Meaningfully Integrating Sustainability into Campus-Wide Planning
- Williams College (MA)
During the 2019-2020 academic year, Williams College embarked on a college-wide strategic planning process. Sustainability was designated as one of the eight working groups and as one of three principles ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Leadership Institute for Climate Resilience: A Just Transition Introductory Curriculum
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
Developed at UC Irvine and in its ninth year, the Student Leadership Institute for Climate Resilience (SLICR) is an annual three-day residential program that provides a select cohort of incoming ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Voices in Sustainability: Incorporating Student Interns In Sustainability Communications
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
Student interns play a critical role in communications initiatives at the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability (OS). In this informational session, attendees will learn how the OS incorporates student voices into ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Mentoring Underrepresented Students in Sustainability: Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders!
- University of Iowa (IA)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential in the field of environmental sustainability. However, it's often the people most impacted by unsustainable practices and climate change who have the least ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building a Comprehensive Internship Program for Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development
- University of Denver (CO)
Internships can provide students with deep experiential learning that supports and enhances their curricular pathways. Managing internships can be complex and time consuming for both student and supervisor. At the ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Peer Educators as the Primary Communication and Outreach Strategy for Campus Sustainability
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
A programming methodology was developed for applying student peer educators (EcoReps) for campus-wide communications and outreach. The idea was to emphasize direct, face-to-face engagement with students and staff in place ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
We Can Submit: An Authentic Discussion of a First Time STARS Submission
- Oklahoma State University (OK)
- University of Mississippi (MS)
Calling all STARS wannabes! Do you feel overwhelmed when you think about starting the STARS process? Has your office tried to submit and is yet to be successful? Are other ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creating a Green Allies Coalition to Address Social Sustainability: Lessons Learned and Future Goals
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
This session will describe the efforts of the Green Allies Coalition within the Office of Sustainability at UW-Madison. Our office has teams focused on improving environmental sustainability, yet no team ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Bail on Balloons: Institutionalizing a Green Events Standard
- New York University (NY)
NYU hosts thousands of events each year. Whether they're massive conferences or office parties, events are integral to our community. But they notoriously result in unnecessary waste, both material ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Meeting Campus Sustainability Goals by Showcasing Them in College Sports
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette (LA)
The University of Colorado Boulder is the nation's first NCAA Div 1 sports sustainability program-and has compiled lessons learned about how to use the sports platform to elevate campus ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Green Events Ambassadors: Student Interns Share Zero Waste Knowledge Across Institutions
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
This informational session will provide attendees with an in-depth look at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Sustainability's intern-run Green Events Program, its zero waste planning, and how this ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Move Out Programs: Finding the Solution for your Campus
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
Every year when students move out of their dorms and apartments, tons of useful stuff is left behind or discarded. Over the past decade or so, campuses all across the ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Successful Transitions: Guiding Student Groups Through Leadership Changes
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
As second year students ourselves, we understand that student groups are empowered to create bold impacts in higher education. They benefit from peer connections in a way that departmental or ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Stay Rad Post Grad!
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
Are you graduating? Are you panicking? Or maybe you know exactly what you want to do, but it's just a matter of making it happen. Join the PLAN staff ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Zero Waste Campus is Possible!
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
In this workshop we will facilitate a discussion around how students can lead specific efforts to solve waste issues on their campuses. We start with a short presentation on the ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Is Anybody Listening!? How to Reach Students on a Message Saturated Campus
- Concordia College - Moorhead (MN)
When you decided to become a sustainability professional, you may not have realized how much time and effort you would spend trying to engage students in sustainability events, programs, or ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Cultivating Student and Staff Leaders through Campus Food Recovery Programs
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
As the awareness of food insecurity on college campuses increases, campus dining services are referred to as potential emergency relief for student food insecurity. Through food recovery programs, dining services ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Rethinking Your Campus: Creative Curriculum, Programs, and Policies that Address a Just Transition
- California State University, Chico (CA)
- Skyline College (CA)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
- University of California, Merced (CA)
Adapting to climate change and interrelated social crises is no easy feat, especially for campus systems with longstanding institutional frameworks. Key to this shift is to encourage broad student, campus ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Lessons From the Field of Education: Bridging Social Justice and Environmental Sustainability
- Chatham University (PA)
- University of Michigan (MI)
Social justice (i.e. equity) is one of sustainability's '3Es,' alongside the economy and environment. Yet too often, these 'Es' are framed with shaky connections or as separate spheres ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Go DefaultVeg: Using Behavioral Nudges to Reduce Food-Related GHG Emissions at Your Institution
- Harvard University (MA)
- Better Food Foundation (DC)
Colleges and universities are increasingly attempting to measure and reduce their Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Among the largest contributors of Scope 3 emissions are transportation and food. In 2019 ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Beyond Likes and Followers: How to Create Meaningful Real-Life Engagement via Instagram
- Elon University (NC)
- University of Virginia (VA)
How do sustainability offices engage students beyond social media metrics to create real-life engagement? In this session, three institutions-one small private liberal arts college, one medium-sized private university and one ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Interdisciplinary Approach to Environmental Education Through Service-Learning
- Husson University (ME)
- Saint Joseph's College - ME (ME)
- Maine Campus Compact (ME)
In 2017, in partnership with Campus Compact offices throughout Southern New England, Maine Campus Compact (MCC) awarded subgrants to 14 interdisciplinary faculty teams across four states (CT, MA, ME, NH ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Staying Green While Staying Woke: Creating Inclusive Sustainability Communities in Higher Education
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
Equity is one of the pillars of sustainability. While there is more attention to climate and environmental justice in our field today, much of the work in sustainability spaces tends ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Organics for Everyone: Lessons Learned from a Large-Scale Campus-wide Organics Rollout
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- University of Minnesota System Office (MN)
Implementing post-consumer organics collection on campus is a big step. But it can be done! The University of Minnesota has confronted the challenges associated with front-of-house organics collection head-on with ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Michigan State University Brody Neighborhood Re-design and Innovative Future
- Michigan State University (MI)
The Michigan State University (MSU) Division of Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) is committed to ensuring long-term sustainability by recognizing and reducing our impacts on the planet. Through our programs ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creating Intersectionality with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Sustainability with UC Berkeley
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
In the realm of establishing a sustainable campus, a clear understanding and commitment from leaders (staff and students) are necessary to execute those goals. Often times, communities who are underrepresented ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Support 101: A Guide for Sustainability Professionals
- Florida State University (FL)
Across the country, universities are solidifying their commitment to a more sustainable future through the creation of sustainability offices. Often times, these offices are located within facilities departments with professionals ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Issues Don't Move People; Stories do - Using Films to Catalyze Student and Community Engagement
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
When it comes to films, too often our focus is on what appears on the screen when the projector turns on. But our focus really needs to be on action--what ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
- 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.