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.
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When the Silos Break: Creating Connections and Coalescing Sustainability Efforts
- University of Oregon (OR)
Through research, and teaching, and by serving as a testing ground or model for sustainable physical spaces, colleges and universities have the potential to help solve the most complex environmental …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Creating Organizational Culture Change to Advance Sustainability in Higher Education
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
Culture is a shared set of assumptions that guides people's thoughts and behaviors. Within organizations, aligning structures and process with organizational culture is crucial for maintaining successful organizational functioning. This …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Campus as a Living lab: Building Resilient Teams Across Operations, Academics, and Administration
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
- San Mateo County Community College District Office (CA)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
Building resilient systems is now more critical than ever, particularly in realizing the promise of preparing a climate ready workforce for a just and equitable transition. California institutions of higher …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Teaching the UN SDGs: Developing local goals in the classroom
- Central Community College (NE)
In 2015, Central Community College (CCC) developed a faculty-driven program to incorporate sustainability issues across the curriculum. The presenter is co-chair of the Environmental Sustainability Across the Curriculum (ESATC) committee. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Feeding the Campus Community & Beyond Through On-Site Agriculture
- Green Building Initiative (OR)
On campus agriculture presents students, faculty and staff the opportunity to provide for their community as well as contribute to transitioning from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy. As …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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From Dissonance to Harmony: Transforming Campus Events to Align with Institutional Priorities
- Colgate University (NY)
Campus events bring together students, faculty, staff, and community members together; while they often build community and enhance academics, they also frequently diverge from institutional wellness and sustainability goals. Hundreds …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Traveling Through STARS to Foster Sustainability on Commuter Campuses
- Indiana University South Bend (IN)
Commuter campuses face unique challenges building a strong sustainable campus culture. Traditional colleges tend to have strong campus cultures that have been cultivated over time and may even be the …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Empowering Underserved Populations Through Community Programs
- Weber State University (UT)
Learn about Weber State University's focus on sustainability-forward community programs over the last five years and how they have become more focused on serving underserved and underrepresented populations over time. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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The Post Carbon Neutrality Story: A Student Perspective on how to Pursue Meaningful Peer Engagement
- Colgate University (NY)
In 2019, Colgate University became the first university in New York, and one of the first in the country, to achieve carbon neutrality. While the road to carbon neutrality was …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Recycling Data: What We've Learned
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (MA)
- NORESCO (NC)
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has been partnering with NORESCO for the past 9 years on a number of energy savings and behavior change initiatives. One of these has been …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Imagining New Realities: the Green Fund and Student-Led Change
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
Come learn from the experiences of students involved with the Green Fund at a large public university. A Green Fund offers money to student-led projects that reduce the operating costs …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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The Choose Earth Certificate: A Hands-on Approach to Improving Sustainability in Study Abroad
- The Education Abroad Network (IL)
The Choose Earth certificate is an optional, add-on program that students can choose to participate in while studying abroad with TEAN. It was born from our organization's Choose Earth initiative, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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AIM2Flourish: Using Business for Good Education to Mobilize for a Just Transition
- Case Western Reserve University (OH)
AIM2Flourish is an initiative of the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit at the Weatherhead School of Management Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Taste Not Waste: A Campus-Wide Initiative to Take a Bite out of Food Waste
- Concordia College - Moorhead (MN)
America is experiencing a food waste crisis, with an estimated 30-40 percent of the food supply, approximately 35 million tons annually, never eaten. Wholesome food that could have helped feed …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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The Process of Developing a Sustainability Certificate Program
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
This talk will cover the three-year process of developing and launching an interdisciplinary Sustainability Certificate at the University of North Carolina Asheville. The multi-step process included developing campus support (with …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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One-Stop Thrift Shop: Sustainable Thrifting on a College Campus
- University of Denver (CO)
College students need cheap supplies for a short amount of time. This project examines the university community's material waste practices and offers alternatives that cater to community needs. Through sharing …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Veterans and Sustainability Education: Why Aren't we Taking Better Advantage of it?
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
While many veterans take advantage of the educational benefits provided by the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the number of student veterans participating in the earned benefit by the Veterans Administration …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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How to Support and Engage Students in Sustainability
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (WI)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
With the climate crisis and sustainability issues increasing in urgency, it is important now more than ever to support and engage students in this topic. We hope to teach faculty/staff …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Managing from the Side: a Sustainability Officer's Role Institutionalizing Campus Civic Engagement
- Emory University (GA)
As the contentious 2018 mid-term elections approached, our sustainability office looked across the campus landscape for a coordinated, unified entity raising up voter registration and education, improving voter access, and …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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People of the Environment: Lessons Learned From an Interdisciplinary Liberal Education Course
- Bemidji State University (MN)
A distinctive component of the Bemidji State University general education curriculum is the team-taught, interdisciplinary class People of the Environment. In 1998, the Minnesota State College and University system established …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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SDG101: Sustainable development integration in the classroom with the SDG Academy
- United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (NY)
The SDG Academy creates and curates the best available educational content on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and makes it available as a public good. As the flagship education …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Environmental Activism in the age of Social Media
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Whether or not you're an active user of social media, you cannot deny the power that it possesses to spread information and ideas globally. In the last few years, there …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Emotional Intelligence, Effective Advocacy and Sustainable Operations: The Path to Zero Waste
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
Municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S. Landfills have also been shown to be environmentally unjust. Since the 1980's, studies have shown …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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We Need the Leaders to Make it Happen
- Radford University (VA)
- Virginia Tech (VA)
The world is facing unprecedented sustainability challenges. While overcoming these challenges is daunting, it is reassuring to know that viable solutions already exist, and that in many cases we simply …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Leftover Food App: A Way to Address Food Waste and Food Insecurity on Campus
- Lehigh University (PA)
Every day departments, offices, and clubs hold events and meetings across campus with food. There is often leftover food at these events and meetings that gets thrown away. Lehigh University …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Valuing What We Teach, Along With How We Teach in Sustainability Education
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
Education for sustainability is critical in preparing future generations with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to address the sustainability problems that challenge the health and stability of our world. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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A Living Lab Approach to Saving The Farm
- Butler University (IN)
The Farm at Butler University has existed for 10 years without dedicated administrative funding. With no immediate funding support from the University planned, the Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Open Access Sustainability Survey Data: How to integrate a longitudinal dataset into your classroom
- Michigan State University (MI)
Many people call for research data to be made publicly available and praise those who publish their work in open access outlets. But what good is such data if no …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Low Cost TDM Toolkit
- Harvard University (MA)
As sustainability professionals, it is our responsibility to educate our campus community about available sustainable options. The Harvard University CommuterChoice Program is dedicated to providing the best commuting information, programming …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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A Sustainability Institute at a PUI: Vision, Formation, and Our First Three Years.
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
In 2017 the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh launched the Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations (SIRT). As an Institute at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) and with a focus on fostering …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Developing an introductory Chemistry and Sustainability course for Sustainability majors
- The College of Saint Scholastica (MN)
This talk will discuss the pedagogical experiences and challenges of developing and teaching an introductory level Chemistry and Sustainability course as part of a new Sustainability Studies major at The …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Transitioning from Ideation to Implemention: How to Launch an Impactful Campaign or Program
- Wilfrid Laurier University (ON)
As sustainability staff or students, we often want to create innovative campaigns or programs on campus to reach a large audience. Sometimes we skip the basics of designing a program …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Mushroom Canoe, Algae Biofuels, and Earthwalls at the Nebraska State Fair Sustainability Pavilion
- Central Community College (NE)
CCC's environmental sustainability office has hosted student projects at the Nebraska State Fair Sustainability Pavilion and at on campus Earth Month events. Sustainability Director Benjamin Newton will give an overview …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Can you really change behavior with an app?
- PIPS Education Fund (NY)
The stats are stark: 1) Students may leave college over unpaid debts of as little as $1,000, contributing to annual losses to attrition among public colleges and universities of about …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Cooking Evangelism in College Curriculum and Programs - A Pathway to a Sustainable Food Future
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Many thought leaders and organizations have charted the path to a future sustainable food system, and most of these strategies require that we regain the essential skill of home cooking. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Green Career Planning Toolkit: Helping You Help Students Prepare for Sustainable Jobs
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
Learn about a free, online Green Career Center featuring an annual two-day online conference, webinars, interviews, and more. View an illustration of the Green Career Planning Tool developed by the …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Successes and Lessons Learned: Using Digital Badges to Engage Students in Sustainability
- Central Community College (NE)
In 2015, Central Community College embarked on a series of sustainability digital badging projects in an effort to engage students, faculty, and the community on sustainability topics. To that end, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Green Greeks at the University of Denver
- University of Denver (CO)
The purpose of the project is to make greek life at the University of Denver more sustainable. Right now we are focusing on performing energy audits on every fraternity and …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Energy Challenge 2020
- University of Denver (CO)
The Energy Challenge is a month long initiative where The Center for Sustainability's Energy Team works to encourage students to reduce their energy use throughout the month. We do this …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Breaking into Academics Without a PhD: Creating Sustainability Curriculum from Facilities
- Florida State University (FL)
How can Offices of Sustainability change the academic culture of their institutions without an academic home? Colleges and universities are institutions of learning, and sustainability curriculum that engages students in …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Gear Garage: Making the Outdoors More Accessible
- University of Denver (CO)
The DU Gear Garage was established during the 2016-2017 school year by two students who were looking to make getting outside more accessible to the wider campus community. It was …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Fair Trade and Campus Advocacy as Tools for a Just Transition
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities
Fair Trade Campaigns is a powerful grassroots movement mobilizing thousands of conscious consumers and Fair Trade advocates on campuses and in communities across the U.S. We partner with more than …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Stories from the Real Meals Campaign: Student Organizers Building a Just Food System on Campus
- Real Food Challenge (MA)
Students at campuses all across the country are building power to transform our current food system to one that is grounded in racial equity, justice, and dignity for us and …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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New Methodology and Measurement Tool Linking Curricula to the 2030 Agenda and University Strategy
- Copenhagen Business School
At Copenhagen Business School (CBS), 2008 marked the beginning of a university-wide effort towards connecting curriculum to Responsibility, Ethics and Sustainability (RES). As a United Nations PRME (Principles of Responsible …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Embedding SDG competencies into global education curriculum
- The GREEN Program (PA)
This session will discuss the process of designing global education programs that educate for SDG competencies and measure progress in SDG comprehension through pre- and post-program assessment. The session will …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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University Sustainability Funds 2.0: A Model for the Next Generation
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
- McGill University (QC)
The University of Washington's Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) and McGill University's Sustainability Project Fund (SPF) are two of the largest university sustainability funds in North America with yearly budgets of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Engaged Learning in the Landscape
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Campus (NJ)
Land grant institutions have historically used the campus landscape as a classroom and laboratory for teaching, research and outreach on agricultural topics. Contemporary challenges urged us to expand this model …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Social Justice in Learning Outcomes: Environmental Literacy in an Indigenous Language Hotspot
- Everett Community College (WA)
This session introduces a bottom-up approach to curriculum in environmental literacy, aligned explicitly to social justice learning outcomes at a state community college in Everett, Washington. Presented herein are three …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Building cross-institutional sustainability and equity partnerships
- Bemidji State University (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
This workshop will include real-life examples, strategies and tactics to support successful cross-institutional partnerships that promote interconnectedness and integration of equity, diversity, inclusion and sustainability. Learn why a strong partnership …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Sustainability Strategic Planning: Meaningfully Integrating Sustainability into Campus-Wide Planning
- Williams College (MA)
During the 2019-2020 academic year, Williams College embarked on a college-wide strategic planning process. Sustainability was designated as one of the eight working groups and as one of three principles …
- 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.