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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Greenspace Sustainability Design Town Halls and Make-A-Thon: A model for empowering campus communities to lead the design of sustainable spaces and places
- University of Central Florida (FL)
A team of students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) (Orlando, Florida) led a partnership between UCF Student Government, the UCF Office of Sustainability Initiatives, and UCF Landscaping and …
- Posted May 20, 2020
- Case Studies
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Determinants of pro-environmental behavior: A comparison of university students and staff from diverse faculties at a Swiss University
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- ETH Zurich (Zurich)
- École Polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
In the context of an initiative to become a carbon neutral campus, an online survey (N = 1864) of students, scientists, and administrative and technical staff of the Swiss Federal …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Publications
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Does higher education prepare students to bridge divides in today’s democracy?
- Western Washington University (WA)
Recent political events serve as a reminder that American society comprises groups with divergent visions for the future and mutually incompatible ideas of how to achieve those futures. Despite this …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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(Dis)agreement over what? The challenge of quantifying environmental worldviews
- University of Southern California (CA)
Ever since environmentalism emerged as a social movement, researchers have been trying to quantify the attitudes underlying environmental concern. From the 1970s through the early 2000s, the practice of measuring …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Interdependencies of Culture and Functions of Sustainability Governance at Higher Education Institutions
- University of Vechta
- Freie Universität Berlin
Sustainable development practices in higher education institutions are diverse, with regard not only to the types of challenges that have to be addressed, but also to the forms of sustainability …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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The Role of Universities in Sustainability-Oriented Competencies Development: Insights from an Empirical Study on Polish Universities
- Cracow University of Economics/Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Krakowie (UEK) (Kraków)
The growing importance of sustainable development constitutes a challenging trend for education. Universities create study programs and organize extracurricular activities in order to prepare future generations of professionals as well …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Evaluating the implications of Stakeholder's role towards sustainability of higher education
- Montpellier Business School (Montpellier)
- OP Jindal Global University (Haryana)
- Symbiosis International University (Maharashtra)
This paper aims to evaluate the relationship between academic optimism and sustainability of higher education. The intervening role of extra role behavior and internal branding is also examined. The data …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Authentic leadership towards sustainability in higher education – an integrated green model
- Montpellier Business School (Montpellier)
- OP Jindal Global University (Haryana)
- Symbiosis International University (Maharashtra)
- Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh)
Purpose Sustainability in higher education has drawn the attention of various scholars. However, to date, very few studies have examined the human side of green employee behaviour towards sustainability. Thus, …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Students’ perceptions of HEI regarding environmental sustainability – a comparative analysis
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra (Coimbra)
Purpose This paper aims to compare the environmental sustainability practices at the campus operations between two Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs) at different stages of the implementation of an Eco-School …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Herbicide-Free LMU
- Loyola Marymount University (CA)
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
The project represented in this case study is Herbicide-Free LMU, a campaign I started at LMU under Herbicide-Free Campus. With a slow beginning as the sole campaign leader, I worked …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Committing UC Berkeley to the Strongest Plastic Ban in the Country
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- CALPIRG Students (CA)
CALPIRG Students, a student-run public interest nonprofit, ran and won their campaign to commit UC Berkeley to eliminate all non-essential single-use plastic by 2030. This is the strongest plastic ban …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Housing Sustainability Assistants - Compost Pilot
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Carnegie Mellon University’s Housing Sustainability Assistants team supported a 4-week composting pilot within on-campus housing to ensure successful composting implementation in the future. The student team was tasked with promoting …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Herbicide-Free Campus: UCSB
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
This project sought to reduce synthetic herbicide use on the UC Santa Barbara Campus. There were three main aspects of this project: meeting with groundskeepers, passing resolutions in the student …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Sustainable Food and Dining: Swat2Go 2019-2020 Final Report
- Swarthmore College (PA)
The Swat2Go reusable container pilot program was developed to avoid and reduce waste through the implementation of this reusable container pilot program. Over the course of the last year, this …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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St. Lawrence University Green Café Farm To Table Course
- St. Lawrence University (NY)
St. Lawrence University's student-run Green café class is a collaborative and multi-stakeholder venture with Dining Services, Seed to Table (student food justice club), undergraduates from across disciplines, and three generations …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Expanding Sustainability: University of California, Santa Cruz’s Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program featuring the “Intersections Between Diversity & Environment” course
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
The UC Santa Cruz Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program (DICP) educates staff, faculty, and graduate students to undertake in-depth examinations of how we, through recognizing and understanding of our differences, …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Final Project Report: Crum Woods
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Purpose of the Project: To increase student, faculty, staff, and community member engagement and safety in Crum Woods, as well as continue to implement the 10-year Crum Woods Restoration and …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Swarthmore President's Sustainability Research Fellowship - Increasing Opportunities for Involvement with the Office of Sustainability
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Purpose: To increase engagement with sustainability on campus by thinking about ways to improve existing internships, imagining new ways for students and student groups to get involved, and utilizing our …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Engaging campus and beyond: The Aldo Leopold Distinguished Lecture Series
- University of Northern Iowa (IA)
The Aldo Leopold Distinguished Lecture Series (ALDLS) was established in 2018 with the goal of engaging the University of Northern Iowa community, providing opportunities throughout the academic year to interact …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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STARS: A Student Reports for Duty
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Project Name: STARS Name: Jasmine Xie Project Mentors: Carr Everbach, Brenna Leary Project Board Members, Faculty Advisor, and Sustainability Sage: Jason Martin, Andy Feick, Pattie Kim-Keefer, Sibelan Forrester, Heather Hassel-Finnegan …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Palo Alto College Community Garden
- Palo Alto College (TX)
The Palo Alto Community Garden opened in October of 2019 as a space to grow food, cultivate community, and improve food security for the greater Palo Alto Community.
- Posted May 18, 2020
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The Free Store: A centre for re-use & recycling at the University of Ottawa
- University of Ottawa (ON)
The University of Ottawa’s Residences had a problem with waste. Large dumpsters would fill with valuable and reusable items every spring and fall when students moved out. These items would …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Building Trust and Community: The Transformative Experience of the Green Revolving Fund at Agnes Scott College
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
- Second Nature (MA)
- City of Decatur (GA)
Agnes Scott College initiated the college’s Green Revolving Fund (GRF) in 2011 as a practical solution to a common challenge shared by colleges and universities that have committed to a …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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COVID-19 & Sustainability Discussion: Recap & Reflection
- Emory University (GA)
- Portland Community College (OR)
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- The New School (NY)
- University of Missouri (MO)
- AASHE (MA)
During the month of April, AASHE will be leading a discussion series for our community to engage with one another to talk through opportunities and challenges related to COVID-19 and …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustaining a Student-Led Environmental Movement at San Diego State University: Leveraging Collaboration to Create an Environmentally Sustainable Endowment
- San Diego State University (CA)
As the global economy grows, environmental activists increasingly work towards more environmentally sustainable investing practices, especially at higher education institutions. As Sustainability Commissioner (2019-2020) at San Diego State University (“SDSU” …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Reducing Smith College’s Dining GHG emissions: An analysis of beef and milk substitutions
- Smith College (MA)
The life cycle of food is responsible for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through production, processing, distribution, and waste. The environmental impact of food varies by …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Solar Microgrid Investment in the US: Financial Modelling Challenges for a University Based Project
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
Unlike economies that are still experiencing growth, established markets like the United States have a difficult time generating returns with large upside potential for investors. If an exceptional return is …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Questionnaire survey on consciousness and behavior of students to achieve SDGs in Kyoto University
- Kyoto University
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets regarding the economic, social and environmental objectives to achieve global sustainable development by 2030, have received considerable attention not …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Pitt Hydroponics
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Pitt Hydroponics is a student group that is dedicated to the education of Pitt students in hydroponic practices, the outreach to local communities, and the research and creation of small-scale …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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The James Madison University Student Assessment Initiative
- James Madison University (VA)
Between 2009 and 2020, JMU implemented a comprehensive collection of student assessments and used the results to significantly advance sustainability efforts. Three question sets were, and continue to be, administered …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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“#ACGGoesPlasticFree Campaign: ACG Cares for a plastic-free future!”
- The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)
The #ACGGoesPlasticFree Campaign is an ongoing project that was launched in July 2018 by the ACG Center of Excellence for Sustainability (CES) which operates under the Office of Public Affairs, …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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No Food Left Behind: A free text service to reduce food insecurity and food waste
- University of California, Merced (CA)
No Food Left Behind is a free text messaging service that connects students, staff and faculty at the University of California, Merced to events that might have food leftover. People …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Loyola University Chicago's Student-run Biodiesel Lab
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
The Searle Biodiesel Lab is a student-run initiative within Loyola University Chicago’s Institute for Environmental Sustainability (IES). Since 2007, the lab has produced biodiesel and BioSoap(Loyola’s all-natural, alternative hand soap) …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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How to Start a Green Greeks Club on Any Campus
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus (AZ)
Historically, Greek Life and Sustainability Organizations have been disconnected from each other on college campuses. This is the odd reality despite the fact that the two groups share many of …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Sustainability Activation Program at the University of Dayton
- University of Dayton (OH)
The Sustainability Activation Program (SAP) is a peer-to-peer education program which takes a holistic and human rights oriented approach to sustainability education on campus and in the community. It began …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Vision 2020 Climate & Sustainability Action Plan (2017-2020)
- McGill University (QC)
Vision 2020: Climate & Sustainability Action Plan 2017-2020 (hereinafter ‘Vision 2020’ or the ‘Action Plan’)—McGill’s second sustainability strategy and the first to incorporate climate action—institutionalized concrete initiatives to reduce McGill’s …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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UVA’s Equity & Environment Fund: Catalyzing student-driven, intersectional projects that connect and advance the work of community leaders
- University of Virginia (VA)
Historically, many UVA student-led projects focused on the environmental issues of sustainability, without much connection or thought to how these projects connect or address social or equity issues. To help …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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PSRF Final Project Report: Climate Community
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Mission
The Climate Community President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship (PSRF) project is dedicated to generating an engaged and purposeful climate community at Swarthmore College. This means breaking the mold of climate …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Infusing Sustainability into the Curriculum at Swarthmore College
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Note that the full final report for this project is attached as a file at the end of this report. Please view for full in depth explanation of the project …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Building campus capacity for the SDGs: a case study of the SDG Summit conference
- University of Calgary (AB)
The SDG Summit is an annual training conference at the University of Calgary that is focused on engaging youth with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through immersive opportunities for learning, …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Swarthmore College Sustainability Research: Equitable Zero Waste
- Swarthmore College (PA)
A year long research project developed by students to help and develop an equitable zero waste mindset and framework of thinking.
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Emory University’s Virtual Earth Month Outreach Campaign
- Emory University (GA)
Traditionally, Emory University’s Office of Sustainability Initiatives (OSI) kicks off Earth Month by bringing together both on and off-campus organizations that are dedicated to sustainability for a one-day Earth Festival …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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TAMU Urban Farm United (TUFU) Campus Food Forest Serves Aggies in Need
- Texas A&M University (TX)
The TAMU Urban Farm, TUFU for short, is a new concept organization on the campus of Texas A&M University (TAMU), whose mission is “Grow to Serve”. The project was made …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Campaign on Creating Sustainable Futures: Bring Your Own Container
- De La Salle Lipa (BATANGAS)
In Academic Year 2016-2017, DE LA SALLE LIPA (DLSL) re-aligned its institutional thrusts to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In pursuit of its third Strategic Direction, Creating …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Grand Valley State University - Water Sustainability
- Grand Valley State University (MI)
Abstract - Grand Valley State University - Water Sustainability
Having success in reducing energy consumption and costs, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) located in the state of Michigan, looked at …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Kent State University Textile Reuse and Recycling Programs Divert 441,610 pounds (221 tons) From Landfill to Benefit Community and Campus Over Past 5 Years
- Kent State University (OH)
Kent State University has reduced the amount of materials sent to landfills while providing benefits to the local community, campus, and our students. For the past 5 academic years, 2014-2015 …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Gold Tree Solar Farm - Innovatively Advancing the Academic Mission
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
Cal Poly's 4.5 MW Gold Tree Solar Farm demonstrates how collaboration between Facilities and academics can transform campus buildings and infrastructure into more impactful academic assets. In addition to the …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Addressing Food Insecurity on Campus
- Colorado State University (CO)
Approximately 10% of students at Colorado State University experience food insecurity. In the past five years, CSU has been aggressively tackling food insecurity through the creation of innovative programs under …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Energy Waste Reduction Program
- Suffolk County Community College (NY)
Since its inception in August of 2014, Suffolk County Community College’s Energy Waste Reduction Program has saved over 4.9 million dollars in unnecessary utility expenditure. We would like to propose …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Assessing the green behaviour of academics: The role of green human resource management and environmental knowledge
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (Terengganu)
Purpose Studies have highlighted concerns about the role of knowledge creation between human resource management practices and employee behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Publications
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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.