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
New Resources
Leveraging Culture Competency for Organizational Change: Conditions for Excellence & Innovation
- Aquinas College (MI)
- 122 Consulting Group (PA)
Organizations have historically struggled with the effective implementation and integration of sustainability into over arching strategic planning. This challenge not only inhibits the progression sustainability throughout the organization, it also ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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I Wonder Can You Hear Me Now? The Emotional Work of African-Americans and University Engagement
- University of Virginia (VA)
We are fighting two pandemics, COVID-19 and racism. The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have sparked discussions around the country on the impact of institutional ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation for Climate Justice on Island Earth
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (HI)
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
A major institutional focus of the university of Hawai ªi Office of Sustainability has over the past 3 years has been our partnership with Dr. Lipe 's office to establish ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Leading with Social Justice to Advance Sustainability: Learning from Indigenization
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
Early in 2020 the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) adopted its first Sustainability Vision. Building on a sustainability policy adopted in 2014, the vision leads with social justice and ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Stronger Together: Merging the Sustainability Office and the Office of Inclusive Excellence
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
In summer 2020, California State University Monterey Bay reorganized its Sustainability Office. Moving it from Facilities Management to the Office of Inclusive Excellence. This was done in recognition of the ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Pandemic as Opportunity to Strengthen Campus Food Resources and Address Food Insecurity
- University of the Pacific (CA)
Prior to the pandemic, efforts to co-brand food-related resources: a garden, food pantry and kitchen, as a strategy for addressing food security had begun. There were also plans for assessing ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Measuring Campus, Climate Anxiety and Ideas for Coping Beyond the Classroom
- University of Vermont (VT)
We're all surrounded by students from what's been dubbed the 'climate generation' (a group that is particularly attuned to the threat and inequity of climate change) as well ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Climate Action Workshop, Using Climate Interactive's En-Roads Model
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Come to the Climate Action Workshop and create a scenario to address global climate change with known technologies and policies. You will be immersed in the challenge and opportunity of ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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(Some of the) Surprising Findings About Living Wages in Higher Education During a Global Pandemic
- Saint Joseph's University (PA)
Between the global pandemic, broadening awareness of racial inequalities, and intensifying financial pressure, American higher education institutions are having to revisit their core beliefs, implicit assumptions, and day-to-day operations. During ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Mobilizing to VOTE: Climate 2020
- Our Climate (OR)
Our Climate's workshop will highlight our voter registration and Get Out The Vote campaign. Young people are the largest voting bloc in this country, we can have a tremendous ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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We are Uprooted and Rising: The Fight for Food Sovereignty in Higher Ed
- Real Food Challenge (MA)
What does it look like to have a future that nourishes and sustains all of us for generations to come? How can colleges and universities support that future for their ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Green Career Planning Workshop with the National Wildlife Federation
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
A goal without a plan is merely a wish - start writing your green career plan today in this interactive workshop, utilizing the National Wildlife Federation's Career Center resources and ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Bridge Builders: Sustainability Staff as Mission-Tied Project Developers
- Arizona State University (AZ)
How do you go about developing a sustainability initiative that hits on all four cylinders, university operations, academics, research and community impact? This session will provide a methodology, tools and ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Leveraging Change From Within and From Without: Equity & Sustainability
- University of South Dakota (SD)
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
Many of us leading sustainability efforts have no specific training in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work from our formal education. This does not free us from the work needed ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Creating Cultures of Equitable Belonging Using our Food Systems as the Galvanizing Frame
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
For the past five years, Food Solutions New England has hosted the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge that has inspired thousands to learn, reflect and act in service of ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Advancing Sustainable Development Goals by Committing to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
In 2019, the University of Colorado Boulder became the first US university to commit to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. The UN effort now includes major international/national ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Beyond Diversion: The New Zero Waste Roadmap Strategy - PLAN's Atlas Project
- Colby-Sawyer College (NH)
- Williams College (MA)
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
While diversion has been the go-to metric for evaluating our waste reduction efforts, it skips over several levels of the waste reduction hierarchy, resulting in the prioritization of recycling and ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Student Healing in a Time of Climate Crisis
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Against a global backdrop of climate strikes in the Fall of 2019, students and youth everywhere are demanding an immediate shift toward climate change solutions and policies that address the ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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PLASTIC - How to Organize a Movement to Ban Disposable Plastics on Campus!
- Eckerd College (FL)
- The Student PIRGs (OR)
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
Coffee cups, bags, straws, take-out containers, swag, etc. Let's talk about how to build a movement to eliminate all disposable items from campus! Organizing around eliminating disposable plastics can ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Catalyzing Sustainable Communities through Change Management
- Oberlin College (OH)
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Trust (MA)
Sustainability practitioners are at the forefront of building just, sustainable communities. But how many of us have research-backed tools and principles to help us be effective change makers? Join us ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Strengthening Social Sustainability in the Face of Declining Community Trust
- College of Charleston (SC)
A just transition to a more sustainable world requires a strong understanding and application of social sustainability. Yet, social sustainability is often misunderstood, underrepresented and excluded, particularly in higher education ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Integration of the SDGs Across Curricular / Co-Curricular Programs: Shared Best Practices
- Furman University (SC)
- George Mason University (VA)
- Mount Holyoke College (MA)
- University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Don't Just do Something, Sit There: The Role of Meditation in Mobilizing a Just Transition
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
This presentation will focus on the challenges and successes the presenter has experienced while trying to get his students, co-workers, and neighbors to meditate. Meditation has proven benefits for physical ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Sustainable Menstruation: Making Periods Sustainable and Accessible to all
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
Did you know that the average menstruating person throws away 1200 menstrual care products during their time in college? Disposable menstrual care products are wasteful and costly, especially for students ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Sustainability Across the Curriculum: Best Practices Mini-Workshop
- Central College (IA)
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Furman University (SC)
Join four members schools of the AASHE Centers for Sustainability Across the Curriculum network, that regularly offer workshops and other professional development opportunities, in an experiential mini-workshop where participants will ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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How to Ban Fracking, Divest, and Win a Green New Deal - 5 Successful Steps for Leaders to Win Change
- Elected Officials to Protect America (SC)
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win - Gandhi Led by a nationally-renown changemaker and former elected official, this dynamic, interactive ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Encountering Unjust Transitions: Sustainability, Masculinities, and (m)Anthropocene Collapse
- College of Charleston (SC)
This session builds on the Just Transition insight that, 'The transition itself must be just and equitable' and must include 'redressing past harms and creating new relationships of power for ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Creating Change Agents for Campus Sustainability Through Applied Learning Projects
- Arizona State University (AZ)
This session will explore how the framework of key competencies in sustainability can be useful for campus operations. Our session will focus on how applied learning projects can generate both ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Integrating Wellness and Diversity into the Sustainability Model: A Faculty and Staff Perspective
- Augsburg University (MN)
- Bemidji State University (MN)
The Bemidji State University (BSU) Sustainability Office realized in 2008 that the work they felt called to do required a different visual representation than the typical Venn diagram that includes ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Herbicide Free Campus: Transitioning Away From Synthetic Herbicides Use on School Campuses
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
Herbicide Free Campus is a student-founded organization that work directly with groundskeepers and school campuses to end campus reliance on synthetic herbicides. Modern science has proven time and time again ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Centering Equity within Sustainability Offices
- Humber College (ON)
At the 2019 AASHE Conference & Expo, Meghan Fay Zahniser (Executive Director) spoke in her closing remarks that sustainability staff and administrators have a professional and moral duty to incorporate ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Facilitation for Organizational Change
- Trust (MA)
One of the most important, yet often underappreciated, skill sets of any profession is the ability to be a strong group meeting facilitator. Whether it is a small staff meeting ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Queering Sustainability
- University of Montana (MT)
Queering Sustainability...What does that mean and why should we care? If we truly want to talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and 'Mobilizing for a Just Transition,' we have ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Solastalgia: Reconnecting With the Natural World and Mobilizing for the Greater Good
- The College of Saint Scholastica (MN)
Solastalgia is a term coined by Glenn Albrecht used to describe mental distress (anxiety, grief, depression) caused by experiencing changes in one's environment. Though Western science has started to ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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What Motivates Change Agents and Supports Their Resilience in the Face of Adversity?
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Yale University (CT)
One of the key features that distinguishes sustainability from other fields is its normative aspect. Sustainability is about creating a better world starting today based on a just vision of ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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The Union of the Preposterous: Playfully Engaging with Climate Change
- Western Technical College (WI)
We are entering a decade in which the world requires massive climate action. Yet, as sustainability professionals we still struggle to engage people to take meaningful climate action. Equally problematic ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Applied Sustainability: Leadership Lessons From the Field
- Ohio University (OH)
- University of Oregon (OR)
- Local Government Commission (CA)
In order to empower leaders and build momentum for the sustainability movement, we need to embrace the full leadership pathway before, during and after the higher education experience. While much ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Transforming Sustainability Storytelling Through GIS: an Introductory Learning Lab
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (MD)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a tool traditionally associated with the management and display of geospatial data. The tool is very prevalent, in both the academic and professional realm, with ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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A Student Club Revolutionizes the Meaning on Green at a Community College in Dallas
- Dallas College (TX)
The Green Club is a group of Cedar Valley College students who are spreading awareness of the importance of taking care of our environment by being involved with the external ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Unlikely Relationships: Multidisciplinary Cooperation to Divert Textile Waste
- Iowa State University (IA)
Hands-on design courses are an essential component of apparel design curriculum and make up a sizable portion of the classes offered in many university apparel design programs worldwide. However, sewing ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Celebrating 20 Years of RecycleMania: Campus Impacts, Best Practices and Leadership
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
This is a proposal to submit a video instead of a poster due to the transition to a virtual conference platform for AASHE 2020. This video will tell the story ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Using Research to Improve Water Sustainability at Weber State University
- Weber State University (UT)
Our student session will focus on undergraduate research done in Ogden, Utah at Weber State University. This research investigates attitudes, beliefs and perceptions towards water and water use held by ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Democratizing Campus Sustainability Through Student Empowerment
- University of Kentucky (KY)
The University of Kentucky Student Sustainability Council was established in 2009 to steward the Green Fee collected annually from students. By bringing together student leaders from many disciplines and backgrounds ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Teaching Learners, Preparing Leaders: Using Peer Education to Complement the Academic Experience
- Cornell University (NY)
- Ithaca College (NY)
Grappling with the effects of the climate crisis will require new and innovative ways of teaching, learning, and leading to ensure emerging leaders are equipped with the skills necessary to ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Equipping Students with Data for Change - Chestnut Living Lab Study
- Ithaca College (NY)
In 2018, Ithaca College's Office of Energy Management & Sustainability received funding from the Office of the President to design a research project focused on equipping students with the ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Developing Sustainability Internships Through an Employer Relations Lens: A Pilot
- The College of Saint Scholastica (MN)
A brief talk on how grant funding and new academic programming in sustainability fostered a pilot to increase experiential learning opportunities. This session presenter is not a subject matter expert ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Creating Pro-environmental Behavior (PEB) Norms to Change Behavior
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
Research has demonstrated that people can be motivated to change their behavior but that information alone does not motivate that change. Creating social norms that situate pro-environmental behavior (PEB) as ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Developing Artful Leadership to Foster Sustainability at UW Oshkosh and Beyond
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
This project titled Developing Artful Leadership to Foster Sustainability at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UW Oshkosh) and Beyond was a research project that utilized the fluidity of interdisciplinary application of ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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From 'I Guess I Recycle' to Organizing for Action - Cultivating a Culture of Student Leadership
- Boise State University (ID)
As the first full-time Sustainability Coordinator at Boise State, I started my role as a department of one with no budget, no staff, and the guiding mission of my day-to-day ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Revolutionizing Campus Dining: Reducing Waste and Connecting with Staff
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Dining halls play a critical role in meeting UC Berkeley's ambitious goal of Zero Waste by 2020. Reevaluating the products we use, prioritizing sustainable purchasing, and reducing food waste ...
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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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.