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
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Net Zero on Campus: A Guide and Accompanying Toolkit for Universities and Colleges to Accelerate Climate Action Worldwide
- AASHE (MA)
- United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (NY)
Universities are uniquely positioned to be agents of change as living labs, testing innovations and educating on tools and resources in their institutions, communities, and beyond. With university net zero …
- Posted Dec. 18, 2024
- Tools
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Titan Bites App Helps Students Locate Free Food on Campus
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
For students in need of a meal, locating free or leftover food on campus has just become easier through Cal State Fullerton’s new Titan Bites app.
Developed by Auxiliary Services …
- Posted Dec. 18, 2024
- Photographs
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Titans Get Healthy One Step at a Time
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Providence St. Jude Partners With University to Create Wellness Walk
Titans can now get their steps in on campus, thanks to a partnership between Cal State Fullerton and Providence St. …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2024
- Photographs
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A Learning Landscape: Living, Maintaining and Teaching Sustainability
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
It’s the 1980s and the Southland is a thriving, bustling region criss-crossed by freeways and almost notorious for the slight gray haze that can be seen against the backdrop of …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2024
- Photographs
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CSUF’s Energy and Sustainability Summit Paves the Way for a Greener Future
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Cal State Fullerton is at the forefront of making sustainability efforts accessible and affordable for Orange County communities, preparing students to be pioneers in clean energy and partnering with local …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2024
- Photographs
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Alternative Economies: Libraries of Things, Free Swaps, and Other Sustainable Solutions for Campuses
- George Mason University (VA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
- Center for Biological Diversity (AZ)
Our endless growth economy has led to rampant overproduction and pressure to constantly consume, driving destructive resource extraction, pollution, and waste and contributing to the climate and extinction crises. With …
- Posted Dec. 5, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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CSU Faculty Learning Community in Teaching Climate Change and Resilience 2024
- California State University, Chico (CA)
In the Spring of 2024, 210 faculty from twenty-one California State University campuses and three California Community College campuses participated in the second CSU Faculty Learning Community in Teaching Climate …
- Posted Dec. 2, 2024
- Case Studies
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Green Lab Innovations to Advance Institutional Strategic Goals
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- AASHE (MA)
You have a Green Lab designation program, now what?
Learn how to develop complementary innovative green lab initiatives that foster sustainable research practices while fulfilling institutional sustainability objectives. Via examples …
- Posted Nov. 25, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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The Power of Collaboration in the Path to STARS Gold and Beyond, With Insights on STARS 3.0
- University of Southern California (CA)
- University of Virginia (VA)
- AASHE (MA)
In this webinar, we highlight how the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Virginia (UVA) conducted STARS report peer-reviews, and we detail the processes by which we …
- Posted Oct. 24, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Revitalizing HBCU campuses: Innovative strategies to address sustainable infrastructure Challenges
- AASHE (MA)
- United Negro College Fund (GA)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a vital role in providing accessible and equitable higher education opportunities, particularly for underrepresented minority students. However, many HBCUs face significant challenges in …
- Posted Oct. 22, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge (TASK)
- Sulitest
Launched in March 2023, The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge (TASK) is a robust assessment tool to measure sustainability knowledge. Comprised of 112 multiple-choice questions, TASK provides comparable metrics (e.g., between …
- Posted Oct. 11, 2024
- Tools
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Climate Action Unbound: A New Curricular Model Driving Institutional Change
- Hampshire College (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
Equipping students with both the knowledge and skills to be effective change agents is essential to solving the climate crisis. The inaugural Climate Action Semester Unbound at Hampshire College offered …
- Posted Sept. 20, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Co-Creating the UN's Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: A Value Creation Inclusive Learning
- Woxsen University
Abstract The United Nations initiative to "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all" aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals by advocating for a transformative …
- Posted Sept. 10, 2024
- Publications
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Webinar: Using Organizational Behavior Change Principles to Amplify Sustainability in Higher Ed
- Macalester College (MN)
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
- AASHE (MA)
Institutions of Higher Education (HEIs) are critical for a sustainability transformation given their role developing innovations and preparing future citizens and leaders. Yet, efforts to mobilize sustainable change in HEIs …
- Posted Aug. 29, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustainability Engagement Tracking for STARS 3.0
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
In anticipation of changes to Campus Engagement credits in STARS 3.0, Santa Clara University’s Center for Sustainability pivoted our methods of tracking participation in sustainability activities from “tallying attendance” to …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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UC San Diego Students Gardening
- University of California, San Diego (CA)
UC San Diego students spend time gardening in the Warren Garden, one of many campus community gardens used for education and outreach.
Photographer: Erik Jepsen
- Posted Aug. 21, 2024
- Photographs
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Defeating the Plastic Monster at Bard College
- Bard College (NY)
BardE3 sustainability students took some of the monstrous plastic that we cannot recycle and built a plastic monster as a teaching tool. pronounced Bard-ies, these sustainability students understand the interplay …
- Posted Aug. 20, 2024
- Photographs
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Kyle Field Football Stadium
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Kyle Field view from Aggie Park which encourages campus and community members to spend time outdoors. Aggie Park hosts outdoor learning spaces, venues for community festivals, and an outdoor stage …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
- Photographs
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Texas A&M Green Team athletes host Eco Athlete Webinar
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Texas A&M Green Team athletes hosting a webinar event featuring Eco Athletes.
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
- Photographs
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Texas A&M Athletics Sustainability Master Plan Core Team
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Members of the Athletics Sustainability Master Plan gather at the Annual Sustainability Breakfast. L-R (Rebekah Parkhill, Kelly Wellman, David Taylor, Lauren Lichterman, Scot Obergefell)
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
- Photographs
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USC Sustainability Hub empty
- University of Southern California (CA)
Photo of an empty USC Sustainability Hub, before students arrive for the day.
- Posted Aug. 15, 2024
- Photographs
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Seneca Polytechnic - Sustainability Career Fair
- Seneca Polytechnic (ON)
In 2023, the annual Green Citizen Symposium was held November 7-9, exploring the theme, “Collaborate for Climate Action.” By fostering collaboration, partnership, and innovation at various levels across different sectors, …
- Posted Aug. 8, 2024
- Photographs
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Concordia Greenhouse plant sale
- Concordia University
The Concordia Greenhouse provides a welcoming, organic green space that fosters community by providing experiential learning opportunities within a year-round growing environment.
- Posted Aug. 8, 2024
- Photographs
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Bicycle awareness day
- Concordia University
Two days before the global main event in 2017, Concordia University held an early Earth Day celebration with a focus on the benefits of cycling.
Concordia's Environmental Health and Safety …
- Posted Aug. 8, 2024
- Photographs
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mind.heart.mouth garden
- Concordia University
mind.heart.mouth. uses garden-based learning and sensory experience theories to create workshops and spaces that increase awareness and foster stronger connections with our natural environments and the food production process.
- Posted Aug. 7, 2024
- Photographs
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UC San Diego Seventh College Synthesis Program Decarbonization Living Laboratory
- University of California, San Diego (CA)
Beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year, faculty from the Seventh College Synthesis Program have partnered with staff from Operations Management and Capital Programs to develop living laboratory, project-based courses for …
- Posted Aug. 2, 2024
- Case Studies
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SNHU Eco-Reps Making Graduation Sustainable
- Southern New Hampshire University (NH)
Southern New Hampshire University Eco-Reps volunteer at each graduation to sort through waste for recyclables.
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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PolyForm celebrates mission, spirit of Human Ecology
- Cornell University (NY)
Students pass by the PolyForm sculpture near Martha Van Rennsselear Hall. The vision: A piece that evoked and celebrated College of Human Ecology’s interdisciplinary, human-centric mission spanning science, technology and …
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show
- Cornell University (NY)
Native American Indigenous students at Cornell present Rematriation: The Fashion Show, Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show. Michelle Schenandoah ’99, founder of Rematriation, is a member of the Oneida Nation Wolf …
- Posted July 30, 2024
- Photographs
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Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show.
- Cornell University (NY)
Student models prepare backstage for “Rematriation: The Fashion Show,” Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show presented by Native American Indigenous Students at Cornell.
- Posted July 30, 2024
- Photographs
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Sustainability Council at OSU
- Oregon State University (OR)
Images featuring Sustainability Council members at OSU working together to plan student facing opportunities.
- Posted July 29, 2024
- Photographs
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Campus Barcelona - Executive MBA Graduation
- IESE Business School - Barcelona (Barcelona)
Campus Barcelona - Executive MBA Graduation
- Posted July 29, 2024
- Photographs
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Stan State Sustainable Campus Index Photo Submissions
- California State University, Stanislaus (CA)
Campus photos for SCI top performer submission highlighting campus engagement, environmental justice, immersive education.
- Posted July 29, 2024
- Photographs
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Stan State Sustainable Campus Index
- California State University, Stanislaus (CA)
Campus photos for SCI top performer submission highlighting campus engagement, immersive education.
- Posted July 29, 2024
- Photographs
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People for the Planet Festival
- Bentley University (MA)
In spring 2024, Bentley's Office of Sustainability hosted a People for the Planet festival. This gathering provided a space for the Bentley Community to come together to enjoy art, music, …
- Posted July 29, 2024
- Photographs
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2024 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
Images for consideration for the SCI publication design.
- Posted July 25, 2024
- Photographs
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Student Community Garden
- Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Students gather to "rewild" an area on campus by planting native species.
- Posted July 25, 2024
- Photographs
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Aerial View of Bentley's Arena
- Bentley University (MA)
Bentley's arena is home to Bentley's Divison 1 mens hockey team. The Bentley Arena is the first standalone ice arena in the country to receive LEED Platinum certification, and the …
- Posted July 25, 2024
- Photographs
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Celebrating hosting the SSLS conference
- Bentley University (MA)
This is a photo of Bentley's Office of Sustainability team celebrating the hosting of the Student Sustainability Leadership Symposium a regional student led conference for colleges and universities in the …
- Posted July 25, 2024
- Photographs
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Campus-Wide Civic and Voter Engagement: Opportunities & Resources
- University of Michigan (MI)
- AASHE (MA)
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
- Citizens' Climate Lobby (CA)
- Campus Vote Project (DC)
From student life to residential hall activities, recreation and facilities staff to the sustainability office, each staff person, faculty and student on campus can encourage voter registration and participation. Data …
- Posted July 24, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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AASHE Sustainable Campus Index Photo Submission | Penn State
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
InventPennStateEdited-7 - Research Plugload 3 A and K - research DSCF6943 - Engagement White Out - Engagement
- Posted July 23, 2024
- Photographs
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The McGill Community Consults on the Next Climate & Sustainability Strategy
- McGill University (QC)
In Feb. 2024, the McGill Office of Sustainability brought together various faculty, staff, and students from the McGill community to discuss their vision for the the Climate & Sustainability Strategy …
- Posted July 23, 2024
- Photographs
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McGill University Biodiversity Festival 2023
- McGill University (QC)
McGill’s first Biodiversity Plan was launched in Sept. 2023, with a celebrations held on the downtown and Macdonald campuses, as well as the Gault Nature Reserve. The Biodiversity Festival featured …
- Posted July 23, 2024
- Photographs
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The Digital Collage at TELUQ University
- Université Téluq (QC)
In February 2024, a workshop on the environmental challenges of the digital sector (the Digital Collage) was held at TÉLUQ University, a fully distance learning university. Students do not travel …
- Posted July 23, 2024
- Photographs
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Introduction to STARS
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar will provide an introduction to STARS and how it can be used to advance sustainability at your institution. From start to submission, we’ll provide an overview of the …
- Posted July 18, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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UVA Students Enjoying Annual Eco-Fair with Cav Man!
- University of Virginia (VA)
Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members came out to enjoy UVA's Annual Eco-Fair, held near the Rotunda on Peabody Lawn this year with over 20 groups representing various …
- Posted July 18, 2024
- Photographs
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Students Hand-Weeding Pollinator Garden
- California State University, Channel Islands (CA)
CSU Channel Islands students celebrated the start of Earth Month by hand pulling weeds in one of the university's largest pollinator gardens. The student pictured is Stephannie, an international graduate …
- Posted July 18, 2024
- Photographs
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UNC Charlotte Volunteers Posing with Data from their Zero-Waste Stadium Sorting Event
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
Volunteers posing with the data generated at a waste sorting event the day after a football game at UNC Charlotte. As Volunteers sort the waste, it is weighed and totaled …
- Posted July 18, 2024
- Photographs
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Ontario Tech Purchasing Impact Data
- Ontario Tech University (ON)
Ontario Tech prioritizes sustainable purchasing choices by replacing aging fleet with electric vehicles and sustaining a Fairtrade campus.
- Posted July 16, 2024
- Photographs
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Dickinson College Farm
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson’s College Farm is an 80-acre, USDA-certified organic farm and a living laboratory where students can gain distinctive, hands-on learning experiences.
- Posted July 15, 2024
- 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.