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
Becoming a Social Organism: Action Research Turns Environmental Research Into a Sustainable Act
- Shenkar College of Engineering and Design
"What is the impact of my work on the environment?", asks designer and educator Victor Papanek in the first chapter of his revolutionary 1995 book, The Green Imperative. Papanek's ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Ecological Grief: How Higher Education Responds to Environmental Trauma
- Bow Valley College (AB)
Grieving the loss or change of a cherished natural space has not always been recognized as a true form of grieving. With summers filled with smoke, devastating flooding, record-breaking hurricanes ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Campus Action Research Advances Sustainable Development Goals
- George Mason University (VA)
- Universidad de Monterrey (NL)
Across North American college campuses, learners seek to enhance our sustainability competency through acting locally to advance the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainability Action Research (SAR) provides a ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Lessons from Year 1 of Turning the Page on Campus Paper Use
- Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus (OR)
- Root Solutions (CA)
Join this session to learn about the experiences of the initial cohort and AASHE's Turning the Page on Campus Paper Use program. Organized in partnership with behavior change specialists ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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@IUSBees Raising Awareness to Rise to the Challenge
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Student Summit Case Study: @IUSBees raising awareness to rise to the Challenge. How can higher education institutions align their teaching and research activities around the SDGs?Align them in the ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Role of Higher Education Institutions in Reducing Poverty by Promoting Sustainable Tourism
- Cedar Valley College - DCCCD (TX)
All college and university campuses are imbedded in a local community. All communities have the potential to offer ecotourism opportunities to residents and visitors. Ecotourism/sustainable toursim is now defined ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Connecting Communities to Data That Matter - Linkages Through SDGs
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
In recent years, a rising number of innovative firms and entrepreneurs have intentionally coalesced around university centers to bring invention plus implementation together. These universities known as anchor institutions typically ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Universities as Catalysts for Transformative Sustainable Change
- Spelman College (GA)
- Portland Community College (OR)
- University of Georgia (GA)
- Emory University (GA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
This session will explore how universities can serve as anchor institutions in their communities, advancing their own goals and regional sustainability at the same time, through education about and implementation ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Social Marketing/Behavior Change Practitioner Meetup
- University of Georgia (GA)
- Busch Systems (ON)
Are you interested in using marketing as a behavior change agent? Me too! Let's get together for a focused discussion about goals, challenges, and successes in your behavior change ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Food Conscious Campus: Urban Innovations Towards Zero Hunger
- MacEwan University (AB)
Innovative technologies like Flow Hives, Tower Gardens, and Urban Cultivators engage the campus community with local food options and opportunities for food security downtown. Through a short documentary and discussion ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Weatherizing Together: Finding Effective Community Partnerships
- Furman University (SC)
Is your school planning on or already implementing a home weatherization program? Have you found community partners for your program? Furman University's home weatherization program, the Community Conservation Corps ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Mapping our Participation in the United Nations Global Compact: Storytelling and Sustainability
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
As a participant of the U.N. Global Compact, the State University College of New York at Geneseo uses the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals as a framework to talk ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Community Impacts Through Energy-Efficient Housing Education
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
The Energy Efficient Housing Research Group (EEHR), an outreach arm of the Hamer Center for Community Design, is a conduit between high-performance housing research and housing stakeholders. EEHR connects multidisciplinary ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Climate Memes: Undergraduates Making Climate Data Go Viral
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
On Earth Day 2017, Climatepedia boothed in Pershing Square at the March for Science-Los Angeles. Students from the University of California, Irvine branch of the organization displayed their signs at ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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All We Need is Political Will: Empowering Students on Civic Engagement on Climate Change
- Juniata College (PA)
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
- Citizens' Climate Lobby (CA)
At this critical time in our nation's history, the need to transition to a clean energy economy and a just and equitable society is more urgent than ever. Young ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Student Green Funds: Lessons Learned
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
Three campuses will share their experiences creating and working with Green Funds. The panel will review key lessons learned regarding Green Fund structure, function, efficacy, longevity and campus engagement. When ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Aligning Endowment Investments With the Sustainable Development Goals
- Intentional Endowments Network (MA)
- MSCI (NY)
The past few years have seen a surge in interest and activity around how endowment investment practices can be better aligned with institutional mission, values, and sustainability goals. Endowment decision-makers ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Moving Toward Climate Justice Through Divestment and Reinvestment
- Better Future Project (MA)
All colleges have an endowment that they use to invest in a broad range of industries. Divestment is a powerful tactic where institutions can use their political and financial power ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Divestment: How Public Universities Can Defund Climate Change
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
This presentation addresses widely held beliefs regarding institutional investors, specifically higher education's approach to investments, and provides a review of methods of fossil fuel divestment campaigns across the country ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Celebrating Anniversaries: Reflecting and Adapting within Campus Green Funds
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Adaptability is key for any successful program. In spring of 2016, students renewed The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) at UC Berkeley for an additional 10 years, celebrating 10 years of ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Divestment and Bureaucracy: how to Capitalize on and Celebrate Small Incremental Change
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Fossil Free Pitt Coalition is a coalition of 50 different clubs that are pushing the University of Pittsburgh to divest its endowment away from fossil fuels. This is an especially ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Pollinator Friendly Campuses: Strategies to Help You Get Your Buzz on!
- Central Community College (NE)
- Colgate University (NY)
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus (OR)
This engaging and interactive panel will provide strategies from geographically diverse locations in North America to initiate or continue bee keeping and support pollinator health on your campus. Colgate University ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Supporting Sustainability Education and Biodiversity Through Grounds Management
- State University of New York at Cortland (NY)
For the last 3 years, AASHE Sustainable Campus Index has recognized SUNY Cortland as top performing in the grounds category. This poster will highlight the variety of methods we use ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Overcoming Obstacles When Establishing Intentional, Productive Urban Campus Green Spaces: Natural and Man-made Challenges
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
In April 2016, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), an urban research university in downtown Richmond, VA, created an on-campus Learning Garden. Urban campus gardens can face a unique set of challenges ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Leadership in Sustainable Grounds Management: The Audubon International Experience
- American University (DC)
- University of Florida (FL)
- Niagara College Canada (ON)
- Audubon International (NY)
This presentation will provide an open dialogue and best practice sharing on the process of achieving Audubon International's (AI) Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) certification at both public and ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Lettuce Talk: Students and Dining Staff Collaborating on Plant-Based Dining
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
- Sodexo USA (MD)
Plant-based diets can be healthier and more sustainable than meat-centric diets but plant-based options in college dining halls often fail to be crave-worthy. At the University of Pittsburgh dining halls ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Real Food Challenge at University of Pittsburgh
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
The Real Food Challenge is a nation-wide initiative to bring local, fair, humane, and ecologically sound food to college campuses. By 2020, every participating institution aims to have 20% of ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Using FEEDS Communication Platform to Share Sustainability News From Dining Services
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
- Chartwells Higher Education (NY)
As part of our commitment to sustainability, in October 2017 UNC Asheville Dining Services, a division of Chartwells Higher Ed, rolled out a new public communications platform called FEEDS: Farm-Forward ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Local Food Sourcing in Kentucky: A Case Study in Higher Ed Collaboration
- Aramark Higher Education (PA)
The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville have a unique approach to sourcing local food. Hear from the Sustainability Managers from their dining services and the Executive Director ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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UT Farm Stand: A Campus-Scale Model for Sustainable Food Production
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
At the University of Texas, UT Farm Stand offers an innovative campus-scale model for a sustainable food production system. This student-run program depicts the unique tale of farm to market ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Building a Meal Sharing Program
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Johnson County Kansas has mirrored the increased food insecurity that has been prevalent at the national level. Johnson County Community College has tackled this issue by creating a meal share ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Changing Plates: How Aramark Partnered With HSUS to Lead Sustainable Change Through Food
- Aramark Higher Education (PA)
- Humane Society of the United States (MD)
Demand for more plant-based menus continues to grow as students become more knowledgeable about their food choices and the impact on the planet. As part of their continued relationship of ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Expanding the Mission of a CanstructionU Competition to Include Partnerships for Hunger Awareness
- Penn State Brandywine (PA)
As part of a year-long effort to develop community partnerships themed on sustainability, Penn State Brandywine connected with the local food bank for an academic and volunteer collaboration. In the ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Driving Food Reconnection at Arizona State University through Collaboration between USP and Aramark
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Aramark Higher Education (PA)
Surveys conducted at Arizona State University dining locations indicate that the vast majority of customers care about using natural resources responsibly and make a conscious effort to only take what ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Closing the Loop: Building a Healthy and Sustainable Campus Food System
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) has made remarkable changes to its food landscape in the past few years. Our campus supports and hosts multiple organic food learning gardens as well ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Empowering Student Leaders to Create a Zero Waste Food Court
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
- Aramark Higher Education (PA)
In order to divert 95% of solid waste from the landfill, UCI Hospitality & Dining (HDS) and Aramark collaborate with Social Ecology Field Study interns, Campus as a Living Lab ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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BYO[Solutions]: Reuse Programs in Campus Dining
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
College campuses are hubs of waste, from plastic bags to disposable food containers and single-use coffee cups. However, universities can use this opportunity to implement waste-reduction programs with the aim ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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The Real Food Challenge: Bringing Healthy and Local Food Options into Campus Dining Halls
- Case Western Reserve University (OH)
Across the United States, college campuses are partaking in the Real Food Challenge, a national organization that promotes the development of local, fair, sustainable and humane food systems in college ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Encouraging Sustainable Food Purchasing Through Student Programs
- Skidmore College (NY)
Many institutions endeavor to serve local and sustainable food within its dining services, but the complex and often opaque food system presents significant challenges to identifying and sourcing responsibly-produced products ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Campus Advocacy for Global Impact: Fair Trade and the United Nations SDGs
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities (CA)
Fair Trade Campaigns is a powerful grassroots movement mobilizing thousands of conscious consumers and Fair Trade advocates on campuses and communities across the U.S. We are part of a ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Fair Trade and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities (CA)
Fair Trade Campaigns is a powerful grassroots movement mobilizing thousands of conscious consumers and Fair Trade advocates on campuses and communities across the U.S. We are part of a ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Student Funded Initiatives & the Intersections of Social Justice & Sustainability
- Portland Community College (OR)
This is going to address clear and tangible ways students can have agency and autonomy over some of their Student Activity Fees in order to create more than just a ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Shifting to 100% Renewable Campuses and Communities
- Environment America (MA)
- CALPIRG Students (CA)
College and university campuses can lead the way toward a future powered by 100 percent renewable energy. With the effects of climate change growing ever more apparent, and with the ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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The Present & Future of the Open Energy Dashboard
- Beloit College (WI)
The Open Energy Dashboard needs your help! OED is a free, open source energy dashboard that continues rapid development with 8-20 student programmers per semester and an expanding user base ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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From Student Power to Renewable Energy: A New Approach to Investing in Solar
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
Over the last year and a half, students at Southern Oregon University have worked to develop an innovative new approach to funding solar. Inspired by the power purchase agreement model ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Transitioning a 100-year Legacy of Campus Steam to 21st Century Geothermal
- Carleton College (MN)
Colleges and universities are leading the way on the next generation of energy solutions. Efficiency, decarbonization, and cost management are important elements of these programs, yet how we engage the ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Campus-Wide Change: Turn Down for Watt
- Northern Michigan University (MI)
Northern Michigan University's EcoReps and Facilities Management hosted the first Turn Down the Lights campaign during Sustainability Week in March 2018. During this week, corridor lights were turned off ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Occupant Engagement and Centralized Controls: a Hybrid Energy Management Solution With Major Savings
- Keewi Inc. (CA)
Introduction: Plug loads (PL), devices plugged into wall outlets, comprise approximately 1/3 of electricity use of commercial buildings, and are expected to rise to 1/2 by 2030. Traditional ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Creating a Successful Campus Temperature Policy
- Wesleyan University (CT)
Heating and cooling account for more than 60% of Wesleyan's energy and carbon footprint. In 2013, Wesleyan's Utilities Manager estimated that we could reduce our energy consumption 20 ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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The Impact of Real-time Visual Feedback on Electric Consumption at Middlebury College
- Middlebury College (VT)
The typical associations with 'energy efficiency' are production oriented. However, in order to make a meaningful impact, these innovative production solutions need to be matched equally with creative ways to ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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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. 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
ACPA - College Student Educators International
Washington, DCCampus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association
Bloomington, INCoalesce
Boston, MABusiness Affiliate
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Washington, DCDot Cup
Evanston, ILBusiness Affiliate
Fair Labor Association
Washington, DCBusiness Affiliate
Fairware 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
MIST
Chicago, ILBusiness 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
Sunbolt
Willow Grove, PABusiness Affiliate
Textbooks for Change
Toronto, ONBusiness Affiliate
The Campus Kitchens Project
Washington, DCBusiness Affiliate
The GREEN Program
Philadelphia, PABusiness Affiliate