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
Developing Interdisciplinary Sustainability Programs at Small Liberal Arts Colleges
- Eureka College (IL)
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
With undergraduate enrollment ranging from under 450 to 2,500 and total full-time faculty sizes from 40 to 150, small liberal arts colleges experience a number of challenges to implementing ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Narratives of relatedness: Engaging metaphor, story, and contemplative practices for economic change
- Portland State University (OR)
The current dominant economy is rooted in patterns of extraction, destruction, scarcity, and disconnection with the living earth. These capitalist patterns have shaped our dominant culture, institutions, and our ways ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Breaking the Silos: Increasing the awareness and adoption of Green Chemistry across disciplines
- Beyond Benign (MA)
- State of Washington (WA)
Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that use and generate less hazardous materials. In practice, green chemistry can result in tremendous benefits such as the reduction ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability Curriculum: Status Quo or Transformation?
- Ripon College (WI)
In the last several years, we have witnessed a growing number of sustainability undergraduate programs across the United States. Often stemming from the work of existing departments, these programs address ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Ripon College Catalyst: Sustainable Futures Through General Curriculum
- Ripon College (WI)
Higher education will play an important role in equipping students with knowledge and competencies to address environmental and social problems as well as preparing them for civic engagement and the ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Preparing Students for Success Through Sustainability Competencies, Community and Hope
- University of Georgia (GA)
As sustainability educators we need to prepare students to address the challenges of sustainability in every field and for positions that have not even been developed yet. In addition to ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Catalyzing Careers in Sustainability: Benefits of Community Engaged Course Design
- Indiana University South Bend (IN)
As Nathan Hensley of Bowling Green State University described in the March 24, 2017 issue of The Journal of Sustainability Education, sustainability education should be based on 'transformative, experiential, and ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Growing Strong Leaders: A Collaborative Approach
- Dartmouth College (NH)
Sustainability problems are intersectional and multi-faceted. Solving these problems will require collaboration between stakeholders working in different sectors and communities, and using different strategies. Our approach to training changemakers and ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Advancing University Sustainability via a Co-Creative Process of Assessing Barriers & Change Drivers
- Kennesaw State University (GA)
Higher education institutions increasingly aim to integrate sustainability at all levels including students, faculty, staff, and the larger community. However, universities also face barriers to enacting change towards greater sustainability ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Strategies for Engaging Students in Meeting Operational Sustainability Goals
- Dartmouth College (NH)
- Middlebury College (VT)
Many colleges and universities either have or strive to develop sustainability plans or goals that are implementable, while still allowing them to achieve their educational mission. At Dartmouth College, Middlebury ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Campus As A Living Lab: Integrating Academics and Facility Operations to Work Toward Common Goals
- University of Utah (UT)
It is an often understood idea that campuses across the nation allow themselves to become a laboratory for student ideas, especially in the field of applied sustainability. Unfortunately, larger universities ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Utilizing Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Engagement Techniques to Maximize Sustainability
- University of New Haven (CT)
Starting a new job is difficult. As a sustainability professional, how many times have you been asked if you are an engineer? An environmentalist? Or do you just find it ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Charting the Course for Sustainability at a New Campus: Utilizing Strategic Planning
- University of New Haven (CT)
Starting a new job is difficult. As a sustainability professional, how many times have you been asked if you are an engineer? An environmentalist? Or do you just find it ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Colorado Sustainability Networking Meeting
- University of Denver (CO)
Calling all students, staff, and others who work on Sustainability across Colorado Colleges and Universities! Let's get together and talk shop!
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Co-Creating: More Than Just a Plan
- Santa Clara University (CA)
Instead of another long Climate Action Plan that no one typically reads (as we experienced with our 2010 and 2015 Climate Action Plans), when the time came to update our ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability Misconceptions in Higher Education: How AASHE STARS Reporting May Drive Innovation
- Indiana University Southeast (IN)
Institutions of Higher Education have the capacity and capability to become leaders in sustainability, and potential agents of change. Sustainability conversations have been occurring at colleges and universities over the ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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How to Develop a Comprehensive Communication Plan for Sustainability Offices in Higher Education
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Your sustainability office might be doing exceptional work, but how do you manage your promotional efforts throughout campus and the community to tell your story? We will provide a guide ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Shaping The Future Environmentally Sustainable Campus: What's Planning Got To Do With It?
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of California, Davis (CA)
As universities embark on large-scale planning efforts to consider new and renovated sites, buildings, and landscape; upgrade large infrastructure systems and utilities; design with new partnerships and ways to finance ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Passions to Projects: Utilizing Campus Resources and Creating Sustainable Relationships
- Northern Michigan University (MI)
Our presentation, Passions to Projects: Utilizing Campus Resources and Creating Sustainable Relationships is aimed at providing students with the tools and tips necessary to turn their passions into projects and ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Rad Recruitment and Retention of Peer to Peer Educators
- Northern Michigan University (MI)
The primary focus of this presentation is to share the successful strategies for a peer to peer sustainability educator program through the two key components of recruitment and retention, with ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Developing Effective Collaboration Among Students, Staff and Faculty to Advance Sustainability
- Connecticut College (CT)
For sustainability efforts to truly make lasting change on our campuses, we need support from students, faculty and staff. Each of these groups holds different power and influence on the ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Advancing Campus Sustainability Through Strong Partnerships
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
CSU Northridge has achieved remarkable success in advancing sustainability through strong partnerships across campus. Some projects that seem challenging to implement may simply require asking questions and framing ideas in ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability "Offices of One"
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
- University of Louisville (KY)
We all know that Sustainability Coordinators are amazingly talented and highly motivated. We can do anything, right? Well, the truth is that we cannot do EVERYTHING; and yet so many ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Utilizing STARS for Shared Language and Data-Focused Collaboration: A Replicable Model
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (MA)
- UMass Chan Medical School (MA)
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
In order to make progress campuses must be able to benchmark themselves and utilize that data to make informed decisions. This becomes exponentially important when campuses across a university system ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability Reporting at Universities with Multiple Platforms
- Southern New Hampshire University (NH)
With the addition of online students, many schools now have over 100,000 students spread across multiple platforms. While much has been said about the academics of these institutions, fewer ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Tools and Strategies for Successful Living Lab Projects
- Macalester College (MN)
- San Mateo County Community College District Office (CA)
- Tufts University (MA)
The campus and surrounding community are rich with learning opportunities. Ideas and passion for sustainability efforts, particularly among students, abound. Yet, the tools by which to ensure projects align with ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability 2.0: How the REFOCUS Method is Enabling AASHE Members to Lead Deeper Change
- College of William & Mary (VA)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
- REFOCUS (ON)
Many institutions are entering a 'Sustainability 2.0' phase, where offices have been established for up to ten years and topics such as recycling, composting, Eco-Reps, active transportation, etc. have ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Green Events: A Student Intern Approach to Sustainable Campus Gatherings
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
This informational session will provide attendees with an in-depth look at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Sustainability Green Events Program. This program began in 2018 as a collaboration between ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Next Generation Sustainability Planning
- Cornell University (NY)
- Duke University (NC)
- Princeton University (NJ)
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Like many peer institutions, Duke, Cornell, Princeton and Penn jumped on board the higher education sustainability train as early developers of ambitious campus climate and sustainability plans more than a ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Student-led Sustainability Projects: How to Co-Create a Resilient Economy
- GreenLight Solutions Foundation (AZ)
Join GreenLight Solutions Foundation for an interactive crash course that will teach you how to analyze a business through a sustainability lens and inspire you take action to co-create a ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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From a Rating to Results: Strategies for Aligning Sustainability Goals with Campus Priorities
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Clemson University (SC)
- University of New Haven (CT)
- Gordian (SC)
Each institution has myriad opportunities for improving its environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Some are poised at the outset of a burgeoning discussion around sustainability while others have been long-committed ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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The State of Sustainability in Higher Ed: Managing to Make a Difference
- Smith College (MA)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
Managing a college or university sustainability program is a tough job under normal circumstances. But in the current era of political divisiveness and ideological extremes, sustainability issues and goals can ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Arrive as Intern, Depart Further on the Path to Sustainabilista
- Auburn University (AL)
What should sustainability interns know about sustainability, change agentry, and their capacities to lead change initiatives by the time they leave the internship? What can sustainability offices do to send ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Blueprints for Breaking Silos: Pathways to Engage Faculty, Staff and Students in Campus Living Labs
- University of Georgia (GA)
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Presenters will share pathways, frameworks, and methods for engaging diverse faculty, staff, and students in using the campus as a living laboratory through examples of impactful research collaborations from the ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Demonstrating the Return on Investment of Campus as a Living Lab: Case Studies From the Field
- Orange Coast College (CA)
- San Mateo County Community College District Office (CA)
- Skyline College (CA)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
- University of California, Merced (CA)
Realizing the promise of campus and community as living laboratories for students can seem like the ultimate goal. Done well, these applied learning pathways offer significant returns to students, campus ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Growing a Tree: Sustaining a Student Organization and Overcoming Barriers on Campus
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
We are all on this mission to create more sustainable campuses, but we often overlook the importance of making sure our organizations are sustainable in themselves. This session will open ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Balancing Effort With Productivity--Lessons Learned in Managing an Impactful Intern Program
- University of Mississippi (MS)
Whether you manage an established intern program or are faced with the daunting task of starting one from scratch, you have likely acknowledged the effort and time commitment it requires ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Synergy with Residential Life and Sustainability
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette (LA)
Educating students about sustainability can be a challenge in higher education climates, whether it is due to short supply monetary resources or human labor. To overcome this challenge, the Office ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Award Winner Session: Demystifying Sustainability Behaviors on College and University Campuses
- Onondaga Community College (NY)
Strategies that focus on influencing student and employee sustainability-related behaviors can play an important role in achieving campus sustainability and climate action goals. Although campus sustainability practitioners recognize the value ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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5 Engagement Lessons I Wish I Knew as a Campus Sustainability Officer
- LINK Strategic Partners (DC)
Engagement is at the core of sustainability. Without proper buy-in from campus stakeholders, sustainability efforts are temporary at best, and damaging to progress at worst. Unfortunately, the work of sustainability ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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The Book of Fails - Learning from our mistakes through pictures and storytelling (and a few laughs)
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Working in campus sustainability can put you into all kinds of strange situations. From learning that powdered cheese doesn't mix well into wet food scraps in the compost mixer ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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WWF's Living Planet Leader certificate: Creating your living planet
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada's Living Planet @ Campus program can contribute to overall student success. WWF-Canada is the country's largest international conservation organization, connecting the power of a ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Empowering Student Leaders On & Beyond Campus
- Elected Officials to Protect America (SC)
Our greatest legacy as campus sustainability professionals is the civic leaders we develop. The national news can discourage students, but can also be a profound motivation for a life of ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Personal Sustainability: The Sixth 'P' of Sustainable Development
- College of Charleston (SC)
The normative power of sustainable development is to guide the future of the species and to scale the operationalization of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). The SDGs are designed to transform ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Surfacing Unheard Voices: Expressive Invitations for Encouraging Diversity and Creativity in Circles of Innovation
- Prescott College (AZ)
Social incubators, writing circles, and college sustainability curricula all benefit from vibrant diversity for greater innovative power. What are effective ways to invite and liberate expressive diversities? Experience a set ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Developing a Student Engagement Strategy for AASHE
- AASHE (MA)
Students are the driving forces for change on many campuses, yet they are often not aware of or utilizing the resources provided by AASHE. In order for AASHE to continue ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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HEASC: What or How do 14 OTHER MAJOR Higher Education Associations Impact Sustainability?
- National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) (DC)
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
Hear about how 14 MAJOR higher education associations all have their own primary purpose but STILL work on sustainability issues. Come and discuss how your president, provost, colleagues in facilities ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Establishing a University Green Map
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Sustainability Office (OS) has been working on a new innovative Green Map utilizing ESRI ArcGIS Online Cloud-based technology. The Green Map is a more visual and ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Mobilizing higher education to respond to the climate crisis - Part 2
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
Building on the conversations in Part 1 of this session, this session will introduce participants to innovative work taking place at several institutions (Clark University, University of Hawaii, Swarthmore College ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Award Winner Session: The Ladder of Staff Engagement: Programs Designed to Move From Individual Steps to Collective Action
- McGill University (QC)
There is often tension between the focus on individual behavioral action and systemic change in sustainability circles. How do we encourage the small steps that engage community members on a ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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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.