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
Using the Campus as a Living Learning Laboratory: Experiential Learning & Scaffolding in Informal Sustainability Education Membership Required
- University of Michigan (MI)
This poster will explore how new and existing sustainability projects at the University of Michigan are being integrated into a pathway for student sustainability engagement and leadership as we aim ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Recycling Competition and Reusable To-Go Containers Membership Required
- Aramark Higher Education (PA)
Through partnership with the University, Dining Services launched a reusable to-go program and student recycling competition to advert Styrofoam and plastic from entering the community landfill. In fall 2014, Dining ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Communicating Sustainability: Use Design Thinking To Make Your Website Better, Stronger, Faster Membership Required
- University of Virginia (VA)
Your website is, without question, the superhero of your marketing team. It's sharing the story of your campus, directing traffic, and handing out information to your users. Problem is ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Growing the Campus Landscape and Student Botanists Through Community Partnerships Membership Required
- Furman University (SC)
This poster will tell the multi-faceted story of how Furman University has leveraged longstanding partnerships with two local horticultural organizations to benefit both student learning and the award-winning campus landscape ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Good, the Bad and the Smelly: Changing Sustainability Perception through Behind the Scenes Tours Membership Required
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Much has changed during Appalachian Food Services' 90 years of operation, but our commitment to being affordable, fresh and sustainable has remained constant. None of our efforts and accomplishments matter ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainable Seafood Days: Working with Sea to Table to Grow Sustainable Seafood Purchasing at Appalachian State University Membership Required
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- Sea to Table (NY)
Because Appalachian State University is a leader in sustainability, serving sustainable fish in our dining venues was something that Appalachian Food Services wanted to explore. We partnered with Sea to ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
From the Ground[s] Up Membership Required
- Wells College (NY)
Wells College implemented two coffee-related activities. As the student-run GRIND Café steadily rose in popularity, its success created a waste problem. The GRIND staff daily prepared so much coffee, the ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Learning to Reboot a Campus or Commercial Recycling Program Membership Required
- George Washington University (DC)
The only thing certain in the recycling field is that nothing is certain. In colleges and universities across the United States, sustainability and zero waste managers are constantly having to ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Residential Green Rep Program: The Case for a Program Hosted in Residence Life Membership Required
- State University of New York at Cortland (NY)
At SUNY Cortland, our student Green Representatives program is run out of the Residence Life office and has been since it's inception in 2008. Each residence hall is paired ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Mapping Bicycle Racks and Usage with ArcGIS: Connecting College and Community Initiatives Membership Required
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
SUNY Geneseo and the Town of Geneseo are collaborating to encourage sustainable cycling in and around Geneseo. This project is aimed at gathering preliminary information to improve the cycling experience ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
UMass Lowell Office of Sustainability: A Strategic Partnership for Campus Sustainability Membership Required
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
UMass Lowell's leadership is deeply committed to campus sustainability. As part of the overall campus transformation strategy, university leadership decided to form an Office of Sustainability to integrate sustainability ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Return Recycling: Zero Waste Strategies Membership Required
- New York University (NY)
- Return Recycling (NY)
Return Recycling is a student-led organization devoted to building a concrete understanding for waste data, infrastructure, and engagement. Over the past year we prototyped new (self-designed) recycling bins, developed new ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Working with Zero: Maximizing Partnerships to Meet Big Sustainability Goals Membership Required
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
Campus sustainability practitioners are often tasked to achieve goals using little funding and staffing. By maximizing networks both within and outside the traditional sustainability lens and connecting campus resources, Zero ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Energy Maddness - A Residence Hall Energy Competition Membership Required
- Saint Louis University (MO)
On a diverse campus flush with deep thinkers, how can the message of sustainability be successfully broadcasted? Our University chose to use competition as an engagement tool. This presentation will ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Moving Towards Environmentally Responsible Landscaping on Campus Membership Required
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
SOU works earnestly to foster sustainability advancement in our region. Likewise, our Landscape Services Dept is deeply committed to minimizing negative impacts on our campus and surrounding ecosystems. Our landscaping ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability & Botanical Tours: Educating our Communities Membership Required
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
SOU's Landscape Services collaborated with students, faculty, and staff across campus to develop signed Sustainability and Botanical Tours to educate our regional community about SOU's myriad of sustainability ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Journal of Sustainability Education: Special Issue on Hope and Agency Membership Required
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
Hope and agency are foundational to sustainability practice and leadership on and beyond the campus. Without hope and a sense of one's own efficacy, meaningful action and leadership may ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Breaking Through: Creative Engagement Strategies for Increasing Student Sustainable Involvement in the Dorms and Beyond Membership Required
- New York University (NY)
NYC came to a standstill when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast and the public electrical grid shutdown, but the lights were on in 22 NYU buildings, and for once ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Do You See Our STARS Now? Making an Institution's STARS Report More Visible and Relevant To Community Via Student Infographics Membership Required
- Maryville College (TN)
One of the most transparent ways an institution can share their holistic sustainability story is through STARS. However, outside the sustainability community, STARS is one of the least commonly reviewed ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Exploring Student Leaders for Sustainable Development: Components and Personal Practices Membership Required
- Baylor University (TX)
Presentation that shares research study structure, methodology, findings, and recommendations for future research regarding the cultivating of student leadership capabilities through personal practices focused on sustainability education. The purpose of ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Together we are Building Sustainability' - An Outreach Framework for LEED EB Projects Membership Required
- University of Virginia (VA)
Though most college and university sustainability offices are charged with both improving operational efficiency AND increasing sustainability literacy and engagement, we often overlook opportunities to serve these missions concurrently in ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Wildcat Waste Challenge: A Collaboration Between Student Programs, University Libraries, and Facilities Management Membership Required
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Two significant barriers to increased recycling rates are confusion surrounding what is and is not recyclable and the convenience factor of waste disposal. Many students view recycling as a confusing ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability, Dignity and Higher Education Membership Required
- Widener University (PA)
Sustainability discourse in higher education seldom considers human dignity as an institutional objective or a means to achieve it. Dignity embodies subjects as diverse as health care, imprisonment, privacy, education ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Engaging at Home and Abroad Through COPs: Higher Education Leadership on Climate Change Membership Required
- University of Connecticut (CT)
Higher education has the unique opportunity to act as a leader and generator of positive climate action both domestically and abroad. Through research, interdisciplinary educational programs, experiential learning opportunities, at ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Greening the Supply and Purchasing Chain Membership Required
- Chlorine Free Products Association (IL)
In today's world there are those who make claims about their sustainability based on an outdated data, inefficient process, or outright lies. Recently we all found out to what ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Capitalizing on Faculty-Administration Collaborations to Build Sustainable Campus Communities Membership Required
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY)
This session will provide insight into the collaboration between administration and faculty on the creation and assessment of a sustainability-themed learning community for first-year students at a liberal arts college ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Why a Social Justice Framework Is the Only Way to Climate Justice and Deep Sustainability Membership Required
- Hackman Consulting Group
This poster session lays out the rationale for the absolute need for a social justice framework when doing climate justice and sustainability work by making three essential points: 1. How ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Novel cost-neutral programs that advance your campus waste reduction goals Membership Required
- GreeniPhi (VA)
As budgets are slashed on campuses, realizing ambitious sustainability goals requires novel thinking in order to create self-financed and cost-neutral projects. Experiential fundraisers may not seem to be the clearest ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus and Community Partnerships: Celebrating Earth Day Membership Required
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
The project created an annual Earth Day event for a joint celebration between the campus and the community of Lowell, Massachusetts. Faculty, staff and the Office of Sustainability have partnered ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
It's all Greek to me: leaning into bias against sustainability initiatives in higher education Membership Required
- GreeniPhi (VA)
Join us for a discussion that will help sustainability staff, administrators and students develop an understanding of Greek values of citizenship and philanthropy and learn new strategies for engaging your ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Beyond Captain Planet: Curriculum Design for EcoReps & Peer Educators Membership Required
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Captain Planet inspired millennials to embrace sustainability through the avenue of television. Utilizing Captain Planet's inspiration and efforts within the Department of Residence Life at Texas A&M as the ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sustainability Plan - Embedding Sustainability into the DNA of the Campus Membership Required
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
- Buro Happold (NY)
UNC is a recognized leader in sustainability (AASHE STARS - Gold campus), leading in the tangible aspects of water and energy conservation with a mature recycling and composting program, sustainable buildings ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Never too many C O O K S in the Campus Kitchen IUPUI : Collaboration On Our Campus Kitchen Services - a Hunger Relief Initiative Membership Required
- Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IN)
This presentation will address how it has taken collaboration and support from many 'COOKS' in the development, operation, and ongoing program expansion to fulfill all of the opportunities the Campus ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Promoting College-Community Collaboration Membership Required
- Concordia College (NY)
Several years ago, as Concordia College was increasing its efforts to embrace sustainability as a priority, it was recognized that engagement with the surrounding community should be a core part ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How Signage Increases Recycling Rates Membership Required
- University of Illinois at Chicago (IL)
It is well known that recycling can be confusing, especially when deciding which materials are accepted into a recycling program at point of disposal (aka the bin). This can lead ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
GreenCampusPoints Shop to Save the Planet Membership Required
- Boston University (MA)
There are 20.2 million college students in the US, which together account for over 150 billion dollars in discretionary spending each year. Imagine if for every one of those ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
An Eco-Rep Program at a Liberal Arts College: Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned Membership Required
- Concordia College (NY)
In 2013, the Sustainability Coordinator at Concordia College created an Eco-Reps Program, with the intention of having two students serve as an Eco-Rep in each residence hall. The program is ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Partnerships: The Key Accelerant to Fire up Sustainability on and off Campus Membership Required
- Pittsburg State University (KS)
Since the institutionalization of a campus-wide recycling program in 2012, Pittsburg State University (PSU) has had substantial success in not only becoming a more sustainability-oriented campus, but in developing of ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
UC Berkeley's The Green Initiative Fund: Strategies and lessons learned from renewing a green fund Membership Required
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Campus green funds have become symbols of empowerment for the student body. By providing funding towards sustainability projects and initiatives, green funds promote innovation, student leadership, and help bridge the ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creating Conscious Cultures through Mindfulness Membership Required
- Princeton University (NJ)
Better known for its ability to benefit people personally, mindfulness is increasingly being linked to encouraging sustainable behaviors that could lead to more conscious, compassionate cultures. Participants will learn why ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Students For Sustainability: A Transformative Workshop Approach to Student Engagement in Sustainability Membership Required
- University of Arizona (AZ)
The Students for Sustainability workshop at the University of Arizona (UA) provides a model for how institutions of higher education can guide students in engaging with their communities on environmental ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
SustainaMondays at the University of Virginia: A Personal Approach to Promoting Sustainability Membership Required
- University of Virginia (VA)
The promotions team of U.Va's Office for Sustainability student employees started an initiative called SustainaMondays. It promotes environmentally conscious eating, sustainable lifestyle choices, and U.Va Sustainability events ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability Management from Zero to Sixty: Green Competitions for Offices, Buildings, Campuses, and Cities Membership Required
- North Lake College - DCCCD (TX)
Colleges and universities like to compete by nature. Recycle Mania and Campus Conservation Nationals are competitions on a national scale, with hundreds and thousands of students competing to win. At ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Four Success Stories and One Big Challenge on the Frontline of Zero Waste Implementation Membership Required
- Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (ON)
Since our college rolled out the Zero Waste program across all four campuses two years ago, we have made significant progress in our waste diversion and reduction. In this session ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Advancing Sustainability - Green Grants Program Membership Required
- New York University (NY)
Since 2007 New York University's Green Grants program has awarded funding to students, faculty and staff with ideas or projects that advance sustainability. Improving the university's environmental performance ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Internships Mobilizing From Coal to Carbon Neutrality Efforts Membership Required
- Oberlin College (OH)
Carbon neutrality efforts require high level planning and coordination; meanwhile, sustainability offices often have few staff and full plates. This case study highlights efforts of two Oberlin College students who ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Verdant, Active, Elder-Centered Climate Resilience: Climate-Hardy Community Building For All, Via Senior Centered Programming Membership Required
- Maryville College (TN)
American communities lag in efforts to respond to climate change stressors, with large gaps found in programs targeting a growing, vulnerable population - the elderly. Expected to nearly double in their ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Making it fun: Orienting new students to the college's sustainability goals with a graphic novel. Membership Required
- Middlebury College (VT)
The first few days in a new environment are key for establishing the environmental norms and expectations of a new community. At Middlebury, we took this opportunity to use a ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus sustainability programs: the role of credibility and motivation Membership Required
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Most universities now have some kind of sustainability program, but little work has been done to understand what leads to these programs' success or failure. We investigated stakeholder perceptions of ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Using a High Tunnel to Extend the Growing Season and Engage the Whole Campus With the Campus Garden Membership Required
- Concordia College (NY)
Six years ago, students championed the creation of a small organic garden on Concordia College's urban campus in northern Minnesota. Although the garden was successful in attracting student interest ...
- Posted 10 months, 1 week ago
- 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. Additional content and advanced benchmarking tools will be added to this tab over time.
Programs and Initiatives
The following links connect to specific Content Displays on the STARS website (AASHE membership and log-in required).
- Central campus sustainability websites
- Co-curricular programs and initiatives
- Active student groups focused on sustainability
- Gardens, farms and co-curricular programs where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems
- Student-run enterprises that include sustainability
- Sustainable investment funds and initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills
- Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience
- Wilderness or outdoors programs for sudents that follow Leave No Trace principles
- Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences
- Programs through which students learn sustainable life skills
- Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities
- Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions
- Student orientation activities that feature sustainability
- Employee orientation activities that feature sustainability
- Sustainability trainings and professional development opportunities available to staff
Scores
The following link connects to the Score Display on the STARS website (AASHE membership and log-in required).
Campus Engagement Partners
American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
Washington, DCCampus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association
Bloomington, INCarrier Class Green Infrastructure
Willow Grove, PABusiness Affiliate
Coalesce
Boston, MABusiness Affiliate
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Washington, DCFairware Promotional Products Ltd
Vancouver, BCBusiness Affiliate
Fit for Green Inc.
Mission Viejo, CABusiness Affiliate
GreenerU
Watertown, MABusiness Affiliate
Korean Association for Green Campus Initiative
Seoul, SeoulBusiness Affiliate
National Wildlife Federation
Reston, VABusiness Affiliate
NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation
Corvallis, ORNOLS
Lander, WYBusiness Affiliate
Northwest Earth Institute
Portland, ORBusiness Affiliate
Post Landfill Action Network
Dover, NHBusiness Affiliate
Rivanna Natural Designs
Richmond, VABusiness Affiliate
RRS
Ann Arbor, MIBusiness Affiliate
Strategic Energy Innovations
San Rafael, CABusiness Affiliate
Textbooks for Change
Toronto, ONBusiness Affiliate
The Campus Kitchens Project
Washington, DCBusiness Affiliate
The GREEN Program
Philadelphia, PABusiness Affiliate