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
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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Disrupting Traditional Economic Models in Support of Sustainability, Practical Examples
- Bemidji State University (MN)
The Sustainability Office at Bemidji State University in northern Minnesota works to support its students and community in innovative ways that also uproot the dysfunctional economic system causing the continued ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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The Value of Student Advocacy in Galvanizing Institutional Change
- Amherst College (MA)
Representatives of an Amherst College student organization, Students for Climate Action (SCA), will discuss successful strategies for mobilizing students and pressuring college administrations in favor of carbon neutrality initiatives. This ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Q&A: How AASHE Membership Can Support Your Institution’s Sustainability Goals
- AASHE (MA)
Membership, STARS, AASHE's Conference & Expo; as an AASHE member, there's so much to do! Have questions about any of AASHE's benefits, programs, resources or events? Here ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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How to Engage Students to Get More Done
- Bentley University (MA)
- Ramapo College of New Jersey (NJ)
- Tufts University (MA)
- Williams College (MA)
As institutions of higher education, we know that engaging students is a top priority - plus it enriches the work we do every day by bringing in fresh ideas, energy and ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Changing Behavior and Measuring Impact Through EcoChallenge: Campus Case Studies
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
We know that our unsustainability issues are urgent and vast. If we are to create a society and an economy that are sustainable and regenerative, educational institutions need to simultaneously ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Intersectionality of Student-Led Projects at State University of New York at Geneseo
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
The SUNY Geneseo Office of Sustainability has five major projects that help direct our campus towards the advancement of a sustainable economy. These student-led and organized projects include composting, the ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Engaging Students in Sustainability
- Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) (IN)
My presentation will cover two initiatives I led on my campus at IUPUI. The first is the Yoga in the Garden event series for students, faculty, and staff. It is ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Fostering Student Engagement and Learning Through Campus Gardens
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
Leah McCord, AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at the University of Tennessee Office of Sustainability, will share her office's experience of proposing and implementing the Grow Lab. The Grow Lab ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Award Winner Session: The High Costs of Sustainable Operations: Institutional Purpose and the Quadruple Bottom Line
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Increasing sustainability performance and reducing overall operating expenses are broad goals that are simultaneously present at nearly all universities. This paper presents an exploratory case study in which a major ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Reuse Economy in Action: Planning Campus Events to Cultivate a Circular Consumption Culture
- Carleton College (MN)
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
This workshop will focus on organizing campus events that foster a circular economy of consumption. At Carleton College, we hold two events each year to promote this. The Repair Fair ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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The Power of Small Steps: Making Psychology Accessible to Practitioners Through Small Experiments
- University of Michigan (MI)
Campus sustainability offices are often expected to create sustainable, durable cultural change without inconveniencing the students, faculty, or staff at the universities and colleges at which they work. This task ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Collecting Actionable Data Using the Sustainability/Climate Change Survey
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
To better understand the campus community's perspectives on climate change, sustainability, and resilience issues, the sustainability office, and the institutional research office administered the first Earth Day Survey in ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Climate Change Attitudes and Practices of Students : A Comparison Among Mennonite Colleges
- Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
Students at college and university campuses are often on the leading edge of social change, and thus might be expected to show increased concern and actions in response to the ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Campus Sustainability: Using Planned Behavior Theory to Assess Student's Pro-Environmental Behavior
- Missouri State University (MO)
Over the few past decades, sustainability has increased in importance both in policymaking and academic discourse. A concern that economic progress and overconsumption and accumulation of waste operate against principles ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Green Office Certification: Evaluating for Impact
- University of Utah (UT)
Green office certification programs can play an important role in changing organizational behavior. But how do we evaluate and measure the effectiveness of these programs? What type of data is ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Student Governments as Platforms for Sustainability Efforts
- University of Denver (CO)
Many sustainability efforts on college campuses are student-driven, however, the majority of the students leading these efforts tend to be involved in sustainability-related organizations or employees of their university's ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Innovations in Sustainable Office Certification
- Lehigh University (PA)
- University of Calgary (AB)
Is your Sustainable Office Program working, but not reaching its full potential? Over the last year, Lehigh University and the University of Calgary both relaunched their Sustainable Office Programs to ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Green Sports Alliance Networking Lunch
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Sustainability professionals that want to expand the impact of their programs into their campus sports programs can benefit from information sharing from established practitioners. Members from collegiate Green Sports Alliance ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability Communicators Networking Meeting-- part 2
- Princeton University (NJ)
Networking opportunity for anyone engaged in sustainability communications in higher education. All are welcome!
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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How to Structure Collaborations and Communicate Wins Effectively as an Office of One
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
With diversity and inclusivity at the core, we envision this session serving those who are either new to the industry or have years of experience - students and staff alike. Communication ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Building a Consistent Sustainability Brand
- Lehigh University (PA)
In order to reap the full benefits of consistently communicating the values and messages that are core to your sustainability brand, it is important to design brand guidelines that define ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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#Strategy: Creating an Intentional Approach to Social Media
- University of Florida (FL)
Social media is a powerful tool for amplifying sustainability messaging and connecting with audiences of all ages, demographics and interests. All too often, however, managing social media can feel overwhelming ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Cool Campus Challenge - Engaging Campuses in Carbon Neutrality to Create a Culture of Sustainability
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
The University of California's Cool Campus Challenge is a friendly 4-week competition between all ten campuses in the UC system designed to educate and motivate the campus community (students ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Tools to Support Your Professional Development and Reach Your Campus Group Goals
- National Union of Students
- Care About Climate, Inc (AZ)
We know students are doing amazing things on campuses across the world. However, groups are often working in isolation or have to go up a steep learning curve to try ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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From Energy to Apathy: Maintaining Positive Momentum on Student-Run Initiatives
- Iowa State University (IA)
- University of Northern Iowa (IA)
The greatest non-mandated catalyst for change at a college or university is the organized and educated student voice. A harmonized student voice creates the leaps in programming that are needed ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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How to Mobilize 1,000 Leaders in 13 Months -- 5 Simple Steps for Leaders to Win Massive Change
- Elected Officials to Protect America (SC)
- Sunrise Movement (DC)
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win' - Gandhi. Led by a nationally-renown former elected official, this dynamic, interactive workshop will ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Interfaith Engagement for Climate Action and Advocacy
- Central College (IA)
We know sustainability challenges are not just technical but deeply human, rooted in our most fundamental values and identities. Too often, however, our sustainability initiatives are disconnected from religious organizations ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Living Planet @ Campus: Graduating Post-Secondary Students with Skills to Lead in Sustainability
- Fleming College (ON)
- Niagara College Canada (ON)
- University of Windsor (ON)
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
This panel discussion will provide an open dialogue on the benefits and challenges to meaningfully engaging student sustainability leaders on campus, and highlight how World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada's ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Harnessing the Power and Passion of Others: Four Approaches to Sustainability Engagement
- Northwestern University (IL)
- Ramapo College of New Jersey (NJ)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- Western Washington University (WA)
This session will focus on new and different approaches used to engage students, staff, faculty, and other community members in sustainability efforts. In the first half of the session, representatives ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Why so Serious? Making Space for Silliness, Humor, and Fun in Sustainability Communications
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- Colgate University (NY)
- Princeton University (NJ)
- University of Alberta (AB)
In the age of memes, gifs, and Instagram stories, silliness, humor, and fun are filling newsfeeds and inboxes. At the same time, the challenges we work to overcome as sustainability ...
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Linking Infamous History and Sustainability - 50 Years Since the 1969 Cuyahoga River Fire
- Case Western Reserve University (OH)
- Cuyahoga Community College (OH)
- Kent State University (OH)
2019 marks 50 years since the last and most well-known time the Cuyahoga River caught fire in 1969. Much has changed for the better in Cleveland and across the United ...
- 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.