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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Planting a mini forest
- Mohawk College (ON)
Mohawk College student, Anna, carrying out species identification in the Miyawaki forest. In partnership with Hamilton’s Green Venture, Mohawk College’s Sustainability Green Team helped to plant 300 native trees and …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
- Photographs
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Earth Day Planting
- Mohawk College (ON)
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
Over 40 student volunteers came together to celebrate Earth Day by planting out a new bioswale at Mohawk College’s Fennell campus. The group planted nearly 500 native grasses and wildflowers …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
- Photographs
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Native plant bioswale
- Mohawk College (ON)
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
Mohawk College received a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada Go Wild Grant to create a bioswale (a long, sloped channel filled with vegetation to filter and slow rainwater runoff) in …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
- Photographs
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Basic Needs, Sustainability & Leadership
- Portland Community College (OR)
The Basic Needs, Sustainability & Leadership (BNSL) program at Portland Community College provides opportunities to advance the interconnected issues of basic needs support (including food and housing security, transportation access, …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
- Photographs
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1000 Species Project
- Dawson College (QC)
In November 2022, at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, Dawson announced that it would try to attract and identify 1000 species in 1000 days on its urban city block and …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
- Photographs
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ASU Image for SCI
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Hi there! Harrison Sharp from Arizona State University's Sustainability Practices team following up on request for images for this year's SCI featuring a story about our new sustainability general education …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
- Photographs
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Actions and Hopes of the Sustainability-Focused Student
- College Pulse (CA)
A Student Voice survey of of 2,164 undergraduates from 114 colleges conducted by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse in fall 2022 found that:
- Forty-five percent of respondents considered environmental …
- Posted Aug. 18, 2025
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Electricity saving behavior in student dorms: What message framing works?
- Prince of Songkla University (Songkhla)
Electricity consumption contributes largely to climate change. Inefficiently overused amounts of electricity can be reduced through low-cost feedback and nudges. We chose to frame different messages to alter the electricity …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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The Sustainability Literacy of Students: A Comparative Study between Turkey and the UK
- Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University
In recent years, the sustainability literacy has become crucial for building more sustainable future. In this regard, a shift toward sustainability requires literate society on sustainability issues at global scale. …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Students’ awareness, expectations, and perceptions about sustainability: A case study in an ordinary university in China
- Zhejiang University
- East China University of Political Science and Law
Students’ concern for sustainability is an important force in promoting green university initiatives. Although most of China’s college students attend ordinary universities, the extant literature regarding China’s green universities is …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Assessing University Students’ Beliefs and Attitudes towards Sustainability and Sustainable Development: A Systematic Review
- Universita degli Studi di Padova
(1) Background: contents and strategies related to sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being introduced in academic curricula, and the organization of the university environment is evolving to adopt …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Green university initiatives and undergraduates’ reuse intention for environmental sustainability: The moderating role of environmental values
- City University of Bangladesh
Environmental sustainability is an important issue today. It is harmful to the environment to use single-use cups. Therefore, the research aims to investigate undergraduates' reuse intentions about using reusable drinkware …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Students of colour views on racial equity in environmental sustainability
- Dartmouth College (NH)
- DePaul University (IL)
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Racial and ethnic diversity in environmental sustainability advances social equity and innovation, solving social-ecological crises. Yet, Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) remain underrepresented in sustainability fields despite high …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Green campus and student proactivity initiatives: the importance of a participatory approach
- Polytechnic Institute of Leiria
- Instituto Universitário de Lisboa
Purpose: This study aims to examine the mediating role of students’ knowledge of sustainable development (SD) in the relationship between green campus initiatives by higher education institutions (HEIs) and student …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Using Social Media Data to Research the Impact of Campus Green Spaces on Students’ Emotions: A Case Study of Nanjing Campuses
- Nanjing Forestry University
Campus green space, as a component of urban green space and the main natural place for college students’ daily contact, has a subliminal effect on their mental health. This study …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Online, Experiential Sustainability Education Can Improve Students’ Self-Reported Environmental Attitudes, Behaviours and Wellbeing
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
Educating for sustainability is a critical step in moving towards a more sustainable future for humanity. As higher education moves into the online space, education for sustainability can reach larger …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Developing and validating a scale to measure tertiary students’ sustainability competence in extracurricular settings in Asia
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
This study aims to develop and validate a comprehensive scale for assessing students’ sustainability competence in education for sustainable development (ESD). Existing ESD assessment tools have faced criticism for lacking …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Exploring influences shaping university students’ attitudes toward green buildings
- Louisiana State University (LA)
Purpose: This study aims to investigate university students’ awareness of green residences and the factors influencing their willingness to pay for living in such accommodations. Design/methodology/approach: This mixed-methods research involved …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Exploring the moderating role of university environmental performance in shaping students’ environmental awareness and behaviors
- Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi
- Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating role of university environmental performance in the relationship between students’ environmental awareness and behavior, with a particular focus on …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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College Pulse Sustainable Campuses Survey 2023
- College Pulse (CA)
This survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse. Interviews were conducted in English among a sample of 2164 undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in the U.S. The sample …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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The climate for change: How university sustainability is impacting student decision-making
- QS Quacquarelli Symonds
What matters to students continues to evolve as the world around them changes. Through QS data and analytics – including the International Student Survey which collates the perspectives and motivations …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Student Perspectives on Sustainability at Iowa State University
- Iowa State University (IA)
This research report employed focus groups and a student body survey to understand Iowa State University (ISU) students' perspectives on how well the curriculum and extracurricular activities are preparing them …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Representation & Access (formerly Social Equity)·
- Cornell University (NY)
Yusef Salaam speaks to students during a roundtable discussion on social justice in the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives
- Posted Aug. 12, 2025
- Photographs
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University of California, Riverside - Photos Submitted for SCI 2025
- University of California, Riverside (CA)
UC Riverside photos submitted for the AASHE Sustainability Campus Index.
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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College of the Atlantic_elimination of disposable plastic foodware in retail dining operations
- College of the Atlantic (ME)
College of the Atlantic's reusable to-go ware program eliminates plastic to-go containers from campus dining.
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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University of Virginia Decarbonization Academy
- University of Virginia (VA)
SCI 2025: Eight-week decarbonization academy program - The Decarbonization Academy at University of Virginia is an immersive learning experience for students who are interested in working towards UVA’s sustainability goals …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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Umeå University
- Umeå University
Twice a year the Umeå School of Sport Sciences holds Health on Campus as part of an initiative to promote health and wellness at Umeå University. All students and staff …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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Public Policy
- Cornell University (NY)
Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
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Vote on Ho Plaza
- Cornell University (NY)
Students from the Cornell Policy Group, a nonpartisan student organization, help others register to vote on Ho Plaza.
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
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National Tree Day Planting
- Canadore College (ON)
More than 50 staff, students, and community members came together to plant 120 trees in celebration of National Tree Day in Canada.
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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Green Campus Platinum certification
- Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering (Tamilnadu)
SSN College of Engineering, India's first STARS-rated institution under the AASHE framework, has proudly received the prestigious Platinum Certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for its Green Campus. …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
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Goat Yoga for Earth Day Spring Fling
- University of Connecticut (CT)
The University of Connecticut has celebrated Earth Day for the last 20+ years by hosting Earth Day Spring Fling every April. The event features a zero-waste, locally sourced BBQ, environmental …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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Don't Mess with Mansfield: A Community Litter Clean Up
- University of Connecticut (CT)
The University of Connecticut and the Town of Mansfield coordinate two litter clean ups around UConn's flagship campus annually. Attracting over 300 students and dozens of town residents, the events …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
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Student Worker at the PCC Southeast Campus Learning Garden Geodesic Dome Greenhouse
- Portland Community College (OR)
A student worker in the Student Worker at the Southeast Campus Learning Garden Geodesic Dome Greenhouse at Portland Community College.
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
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Sustainability Fund Project: Insect Biodiversity Displays
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
In 2022, the lab manager of the Lamp Lab at the University of Maryland received a Sustainability Fund grant to create three insect displays around UMD’s campus. Each display features …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
- Photographs
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Waste Audit of main library at the University of Maryland
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
Juila Ethan worked with the University Libraries for a year as their first Sustainability Graduate Assistant. She developed strategies to make the libraries more sustainable, including leading a waste audit …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
- Photographs
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A culture of reuse at the University of Maryland's annual multi-day arts festival
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
A University of Maryland campus tradition, NextNOW Fest is a signature event in the University of Maryland’s Arts for All initiative, which leverages the combined power of the arts, technology …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
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Exploring Aquatic Systems: FGCU Water School in Action
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
Florida Gulf Coast University Water School student researchers conduct fieldwork in aquatic ecology and bathymetry, using scientific instruments to map underwater landscapes and study ecosystem dynamics. This hands-on research supports …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
- Photographs
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Permaculture in Practice: FGCU Food Forest
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
The Florida Gulf Coast University Food Forest exemplifies applied permaculture principles in a student-led, campus-based edible landscape. The FGCU Food Forest engages the campus and community in sustainable food systems …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
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Tree Planting at American University of Central Asia
- American University of Central Asia
The Sustainability Program of the Center for Civic Engagemnt in collaboration with the Administration, hosted a tree planting event at the AUCA campus. This initiative aimed to promote environmental awareness …
- Posted July 31, 2025
- Photographs
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American University of Central Asia
- American University of Central Asia
The image shows the main building of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
- Posted July 31, 2025
- Photographs
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Sustainable Transportation at NYU
- New York University (NY)
Over 95% of NYU students and employees use a sustainable option as their primary mode of transportation. NYU continues to support and encourage sustainable commuting by providing bike sharing, car …
- Posted July 31, 2025
- Photographs
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Agnes Scott College - Arboretum
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
Agnes Scott College sits on 100 acres within the City of Decatur located just six miles northeast of Atlanta, the ‘City in a Forest’. With a managed tree canopy of …
- Posted July 29, 2025
- Photographs
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Harvest Market
- Dawson College (QC)
In the summer our vegetable gardens are harvested by student volunteers and on alternating weeks they are 1) sold to the community to raise funds for student sustainability projects and …
- Posted July 29, 2025
- Photographs
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Dawson College Butterfly Nursery
- Dawson College (QC)
A true community project came to life thanks to the collaboration of students and staff across the college. The Office of Sustainability co-ordinated the design first with Adam Kingsland’s Mechanical …
- Posted July 29, 2025
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Dawson College Peace Garden
- Dawson College (QC)
Students helping with garden maintenance
- Posted July 29, 2025
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Berkeley Students Plant Trees
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
A group of Berkeley students is planting trees in April 2025.
- Posted July 24, 2025
- Photographs
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TMU Students - Biking
- Toronto Metropolitan University (ON)
TMU students walk their bikes through campus on a sunny day, demonstrating active and sustainable transportation choices that reduce emissions and promote a healthier community.
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Creating a Campus Closed Loop Zero Waste Approach at Amherst College
- Amherst College (MA)
Reduce and Reuse sit towards the top of the Zero Waste Hierarchy. At Amherst College we have established a series of campus closed loop systems that help reduce the purchase …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Empowering the HAMALICON Community
- De La Salle Lipa (BATANGAS)
The De La Salle Lipa Community Involvement Office facilitated a general assembly and election of officers of the Hanunuo Mangyan Livelihood & Consumers Cooperative (HAMALICON). The HAMALICON is a cooperative …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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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.