Campus Engagement
Introduction
Engaging in sustainability issues through co-curricular activities allows students to deepen and apply their understandings of sustainability principles. Institution-sponsored co-curricular sustainability offerings, often coordinated by student affairs offices, help integrate sustainability into the campus culture and set a positive tone for the institution. Faculty and staff members’ daily decisions impact an institution’s sustainability performance. Equipping faculty and staff with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to adopt behavior changes that promote sustainability is an essential activity of a sustainable campus.
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Energy and carbon reduction - A total holistic approach by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has been actively implementing various energy reduction efforts to promote sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint. The university recognizes the importance of energy conservation and has …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Case Studies
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EarthFest 2023
- Cleveland State University (OH)
EarthFest is an annual event thrown by Cleveland State's Office of Sustainability. The mission of EarthFest is to celebrate Earth Day by engaging students, faculty and staff to create a …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Photographs
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Tiffany Jurge plans Soup and Substance collaboration with SCITC
- Central Michigan University (MI)
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College (MI)
Central Michigan University (CMU) presents Soup and Substance events through the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OIDEI) for students, faculty, staff and community members. Soup and Substance events …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Soup and Substance: Anishinaabek Food Sovereignty
- Central Michigan University (MI)
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College (MI)
Central Michigan University (CMU) presents Soup and Substance events through the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OIDEI) for students, faculty, staff and community members. Soup and Substance events …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Meghan VanDamme leads composting initiative at CMU
- Central Michigan University (MI)
Meghan VanDamme and Central Sustainability collaborated with Facilities Management and CMU Residence Life to erect a compost drop-off at Northwest Apartments. The drop-off promotes sustainability by offering an opportunity for …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Ava Brewer uses student-athletes as sustainability advocates for CMU
- Central Michigan University (MI)
Central Sustainability coordinator Ava Brewer created a video promoting sustainability at CMU using student-athletes as sustainability advocates. The video will play at football, men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, volleyball and …
- Posted May 15, 2023
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Central Sustainability, CMU Professor Hope May and Cora di Brazza Foundation lead Peace Flag Raising at CMU
- Central Michigan University (MI)
On April 21, 2023, Central Sustainability, Central Michigan University Professor Hope May and the Cora di Brazza Foundation collaborated to present CMU’s annual Peace Flag Raising ceremony. This year, CMU …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Diverting Food Waste and Educating the Campus Community with Solar Powered Compost Kiosks at Illinois State University
- Illinois State University (IL)
The Illinois State University Compost Kiosks provide a model for other institutions in diverting food waste and reducing single-use plastic while educating and engaging the campus community in the act …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Auburn University Earth Day 2023
- Auburn University (AL)
Earth Day is an annual event created to celebrate the environment and demonstrate support for environmental protection. More than one billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities …
- Posted May 10, 2023
- Photographs
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Auburn University Earth Day 2023
- Auburn University (AL)
Earth Day is an annual event created to celebrate the environment and demonstrate support for environmental protection. More than one billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities …
- Posted May 10, 2023
- Photographs
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Auburn University Earth Day 2023
- Auburn University (AL)
Earth Day is an annual event created to celebrate the environment and demonstrate support for environmental protection. More than one billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities …
- Posted May 10, 2023
- Photographs
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The Week: The New Playbook for Climate Mobilization
- The Week
The Week is a climate mobilization tool that anyone can pick up and use, for free, to create courageous conversations about climate breakdown, and what we as a society can …
- Posted May 10, 2023
- Tools
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Creation of a Pollinator Garden at Farmingdale State College
- State University of New York at Farmingdale (NY)
In the Spring of 2023 Farmingdale State College's Office for Sustainability partnered with the college's Horticulture department to design an on-campus pollinator garden. The site is currently a 100 square …
- Posted May 8, 2023
- Case Studies
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Franklin University Switzerland’s ACT Program: A Case Study in Stakeholder Carbon Markets for College Campuses
- Franklin University Switzerland (Ticino)
At Franklin University Switzerland, Academic Travel (“AT”) has historically been the university-funded activity that generates the greatest amount of carbon emissions by the Franklin community each year. In order to …
- Posted May 8, 2023
- Case Studies
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CSU Channel Islands Teaches About Sustainable Land Management During Earth Month
- California State University, Channel Islands (CA)
CSU Channel Islands kicked off Earth Month celebrations with an event focused on targeted grazing and its use as a sustainable land management strategy. The event included a presentation from …
- Posted May 8, 2023
- Photographs
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Arbor Day & Earth Month Tree Planting at CSU Channel Islands
- California State University, Channel Islands (CA)
Students, staff, faculty, and community members came together to plant 20 trees on the CSU Channel Islands campus to celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Month 2023.
- Posted May 8, 2023
- Photographs
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USC Office of Sustainability tabling
- University of Southern California (CA)
Staff from the USC Office of Sustainability table at an Earth Month event on campus.
- Posted May 8, 2023
- Photographs
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Building an Embedded Sustainability Approach
- TAFE Queensland Robina Campus (QLD)
The TAFE Queensland Robina Campus has been purpose-built to lead the way as a sustainable vocational education and training (VET) provider across Australia. The campus was designed from the ground …
- Posted May 5, 2023
- Case Studies
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WashU Earth Day Festival
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
WashU School of Medicine held the 2023 Earth Day Festival, which included a free bike tune up for all employees and students, a farmers market, and sustainable vendor showcase. The …
- Posted May 5, 2023
- Photographs
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U of Washington Earth Day Fair
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
The 2023 Earth Day Exhibitor Fair at the University of Washington.
- Posted May 5, 2023
- Photographs
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U of Washington Earth Day Fair
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
Kort Maeda of the University of Washington's Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) tables at a UW 2023 Earth Day Fair.
- Posted May 3, 2023
- Photographs
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Earth Day Summit at Franklin University Switzerland
- Franklin University Switzerland (Ticino)
The Green Office Sustainability Programs at Franklin University Switzerland hosted an Earth Day Summit showcasing multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability. By bringing together a wide diversity of academic and …
- Posted May 3, 2023
- Photographs
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Rider University Earth Day Event
- Rider University (NJ)
Eco-Reps that work for the Office of Sustainability that also conduct plant research in our campus greenhouse grew pollinator friendly plants to sell at our Earth Day event. With a …
- Posted May 3, 2023
- Photographs
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Rice University Earth Day Festival 2023
- Rice University (TX)
The Administrative Center for Sustainability & Energy Management (ACSEM) hosted in partnership with the Betty & Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden, the Rice Climate Alliance, and the BIOS 322 class an …
- Posted May 3, 2023
- Photographs
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Enhancing Students’ Environmental Skills Through A Solid Waste Sustainability Hub
- University of South Alabama (AL)
The objective of this project is to establish a solid waste sustainability hub that promotes environmental stewardship and education by focusing on waste reduction, recycling, reuse, and rethinking. A team …
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Case Studies
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Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
UNL celebrated Arbor Day with two tree plantings on both city and east campuses. UNL has a strong history of sustainable tree management and was one of the first universities …
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Earthstock Block Party at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
UNL's Association of Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN) student government hosted the ninth annual Earthstock celebration throughout the month of April. Earthstock is a month-long celebration of Earth …
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Northwestern Bird Watching Walk
- Northwestern University (IL)
The campus community was invited to join in experiencing the birds that call our campus home as well as those migrating through. An introduction to bird watching and some tips …
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Climate in the Classroom: Bell Tower Takeover
- Temple University (PA)
Climate in the Classroom: Bell Tower Takeover was a special Earth Month event hosted by the Temple University Office of Sustainability, the Office of the Provost and select student and …
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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2023 Iowa State University Earth Day Celebration
- Iowa State University (IA)
Iowa State University celebrated the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day with the theme of, “The Opportunity is NOW! The Urgency is NOW!” This year, more than 400 students, faculty, staff …
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Endicott College's Environmental Justice Working Group
- Endicott College (MA)
The Environmental Justice Working Group at Endicott College was established in 2023 by Sophia Gosselin-Smoske, a student at Endicott College and a Fellow in the Office of Sustainability. The group …
- Posted April 27, 2023
- Case Studies
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Waste Diversion at University of Florida- Case of a student organization
- University of Florida (FL)
I am Ashpreet Kaur, final year PhD student at University of Florida. I got a chance to become a member of a student organization at University of Florida who does …
- Posted April 27, 2023
- Case Studies
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Stan State Eco Challenge 2023
- California State University, Stanislaus (CA)
During Earth Month, Stan State University's Capital Projects & Facilities Management (CPFM) part-takes annually in Eco Challenge! Here is our stat during Earth Day! As a team we practice mindful …
- Posted April 24, 2023
- Photographs
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Waste Diversion at Creighton Softball Game
- Creighton University (NE)
Hattie Ames and Gabby Otero are helping Creighton fans divert their waste from the landfill.
- Posted April 21, 2023
- Photographs
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2018-22 Progress Report on the Pitt Sustainability Plan
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
The University of Pittsburgh’s sustainability journey dates back to 1990, with commitments, activities, and engagement deepening and increasing over the past three decades. In 2018, the Pitt Sustainability Plan set …
- Posted April 18, 2023
- Publications
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Adopt-a-Plant sponsored by ArtCenter College of Design Community Food Garden
- ArtCenter College of Design (CA)
The ArtCenter College of Design Community Garden remained active throughout the Pandemic through the tremendous care of two Photography Department staff. With students, staff, and faculty back on campus, we …
- Posted April 18, 2023
- Photographs
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ReWear It Marquette
- Marquette University (WI)
Student-led monthly clothing swap organization on Marquette University's campus.
- Posted April 18, 2023
- Case Studies
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The Interdisciplinary Turn: A New Model for Climate Crisis Awareness and Action in Higher Education
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar takes participants through the process of designing a successful, effective climate crisis awareness and action week at their own institutions, schools, or groups, using the tUrn partners + …
- Posted April 18, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Students leading students: a qualitative study exploring a student-led model for engagement with the sustainable development goals
- University of Calgary (AB)
Purpose Higher education institutions (HEI) play a critical role in developing student leaders equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to mobilize societal changes that the United Nations Sustainable Development …
- Posted April 13, 2023
- Publications
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Implementing Sustainability in Library Instruction: The Journey to Creating a Crowdsourced Mission Statement Informed by Positionalities and Core Values
- New Mexico State University (NM)
This chapter shares the process and rationale behind a library workshop with the Reference and Research Services Department and Archives and Special Collections Department at the New Mexico State University …
- Posted April 13, 2023
- Publications
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Shifting Instruction for Sustainability: Lessons from COVID
- New Mexico State University (NM)
The COVID-19 pandemic irrevocably changed the ways that libraries function. Libraries had to shift and our skills as librarians and educators were put to the test in new ways. As …
- Posted April 13, 2023
- Publications
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Fullerton Arboretum Fights Food Insecurity While Helping the Environment
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Fullerton Arboretum, a 26-acre botanical garden located at Cal State Fullerton, is making a difference in the campus and environment…and it all starts with fruit.
The Arboretum grows an incredible …
- Posted April 13, 2023
- Photographs
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Building a Circular Campus: Scope 3 Emissions, Community Resilience, & Justice
- Barnard College (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
As Barnard College defines a pathway to net zero emissions, we are paying particular attention to our Scope 3 emissions and using the principles of circularity to address them. Measuring …
- Posted March 9, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Obstacles to Environmental Progress: A US Perspective
- Austin College (TX)
Open-access (free) book from University College London Press. The primary intended audiences are undergraduate and graduate students in environmental studies, sustainability, and related fields. The book focuses on predictable, practical …
- Posted March 6, 2023
- Publications
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Integrating Sustainability Plans and Capital Campaigns
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- AASHE (MA)
Taking sustainability to the next level, for many higher education institutions, requires a strategic, long-range, and comprehensive sustainability plan. The process by which you develop content, engage the campus community …
- Posted March 1, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Environmental Justice in Higher Education: From Intent to Sustainable Action
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- Princeton University (NJ)
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar will trace shifts in the traditional framing of sustainability in higher education and how it is implemented, following the recent racial reckoning in the wake of the killing …
- Posted Feb. 16, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Eddy at New Paltz: Centering Racial Equity as we Co-create a Sustainable Culture
- State University of New York at New Paltz (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
Sustainability has expanded to include issues of racial equity in a way that also embraces the interdisciplinarity of academic study. This webinar will introduce Eddy at New Paltz, a co-creative, …
- Posted Feb. 8, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Directory of Programs that Save Leftover Food After Events
- University of California, Merced (CA)
There has been increasing interest in programs which address leftover food at events. As the coordinator of one such program, No Food Left Behind, I receive regular inquiries from other …
- Posted Feb. 6, 2023
- Tools
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Imagining the Future of Campus Food Service and Measuring Success
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Texas Woman's University (TX)
- AASHE (MA)
Food does not loom large enough in university sustainability metrics given its outsized role in achieving the SDGs. With increasing recognition that transforming food systems is critical for climate resiliency, …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Bucknell 10-Years Sustainability Plan
- Bucknell University (PA)
January 18th 2023, President John Bravman formally announced the release of the 10-year Sustainability Plan for Bucknell University. According to President Brvaman,
"Caring for the environment and reducing waste remains …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2023
- 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.