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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Sustainably Developing Sustainability Programs and Curriculum
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
- AASHE (MA)
The climate is changing in higher education today with unpredictable state funding, evolving student populations and dialog about sustainability of higher education itself. With the urgency for sustainable solutions to …
- Posted April 4, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
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Examining the effect of an environmental social marketing intervention among university employees
- University of Birmingham
- Queen Mary University of London
- University of Sheffield
- Global Action Plan
This paper examines the impact of an environmental social marketing intervention on employees’ energy saving intentions in a higher education institution (HEI) in the UK. The study examines the influence …
- Posted March 30, 2019
- Publications
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How Water Bottle Refill Stations Contribute to Campus Sustainability: A Case Study in Japan
- Ritsumeikan University
The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of installing Water bottle Refill Stations (WRSs) and their contributions to campus sustainability by means of encouraging pro-environmental behavior in …
- Posted March 30, 2019
- Publications
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Sulitest®: A Mixed-Method, Pilot Study of Assessment Impacts on Undergraduate Sustainability-related Learning and Motivation
- Pittsburg State University (KS)
A United Nations international collaboration between the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) resulted in the creation of Sulitest® (aka Sustainability Literacy Test) …
- Posted March 15, 2019
- Publications
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Cognitive and behavioural environmental concern among university students in a Canadian city: Implications for institutional interventions
- University of Regina (SK)
Informed by Stern and colleagues’ value-belief-norm theory and their earlier empirical work, we examined levels and predictors of cognitive and behavioural environmental concern (EC) of university students in a Canadian …
- Posted March 15, 2019
- Publications
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University Contributions to the Circular Economy: Professing the Hidden Curriculum
- Cranfield School of Management
In a world dominated by linear economic systems, the road to improving resource use is multi-faceted. Whilst public and private organisations are making progress in introducing sustainable practices, we ask …
- Posted March 15, 2019
- Publications
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Expanding Student Engagement in Sustainability: Using SDG- and CEL-Focused Inventories to Transform Curriculum at the University of Toronto
- University of Toronto (ON)
- London School of Economics and Political Science
The Expanded Student Engagement Project (ESE) has developed three comprehensive inventories which aim to increase student knowledge of sustainability-related course content and increase student engagement in on- and off-campus, curricular, …
- Posted March 15, 2019
- Publications
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Competing priorities: lessons in engaging students to achieve energy savings in universities
- De Montfort University
- Imperial College London
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
This paper aims to present findings from an EU-funded international student-led energy saving competition (SAVES) on a scale previously unseen. There are multiple accounts of short-term projects and energy saving …
- Posted March 4, 2019
- Publications
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PCC, Sustain Me! A Higher Education Sustainability & Environmental Justice Podcast
- Portland Community College (OR)
This has been an ongoing project that has blossomed from a local/regional production and has now been promoted, recognized, listened to, and presentations have been given nationally and internationally on …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2019
- Case Studies
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Central College Student Green Fund
- Central College (IA)
What is Green Fund? The purpose of the Central College Student Green Fund is to promote innovative student projects that further the vision of sustainability at Central College.
Who can …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2019
- Green Funds
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Zero is Hero: Use a Zero Waste Events Program to Re-Teach Recycling
- Johns Hopkins University (MD)
- AASHE (MA)
Do you know how many events occur on your campus every year? Can you guess how many of those events use disposables? Do you have a hard time engaging your …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
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AIM2Flourish: An Experiential SDGs-Assignment for Students
- Case Western Reserve University (OH)
The UN SDGs are the world’s must-do list by 2030, and we need every student, everywhere to identify themselves as Global Goals leaders. Now in its third year, the free, …
- Posted Feb. 14, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustainability Fund
- North Carolina State University (NC)
NC State students began contributing a sustainability fee per semester in fall 2013 following a student-led campaign that included pledges of support from more than 2,000 students and letters of …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2019
- Green Funds
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Sustainability Fee
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
The Sustainability Fee is a student-led initiative to improve the quality of campus operations, reduce UIC’s environmental impact, and generate awareness about environmental and sustainable issues by creating opportunities for …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2019
- Green Funds
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Renewable Energy Initiative (REI)
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The Appalachian State Renewable Energy Initiative is a student-led, student-funded organization that seeks to install renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on campus. Projects can be proposed by any student, …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2019
- Green Funds
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Charlotte Green Initiative Fund
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
The Charlotte Green Initiative (CGI) is a student-led initiative that collects a $1 per semester Green Fee from each full-time UNC Charlotte student. These funds are allocated to projects that …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2019
- Green Funds
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Northwestern Sustainability Fund (NSF)
- Northwestern University (IL)
The Northwestern Sustainability Fund is a $50,000 pool established to catalyze Northwestern student engagement in energy and sustainability. The Northwestern Sustainability Fund (NSF) provides one-time grant funds for student-led projects …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2019
- Green Funds
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Green for Green
- Mills College (CA)
Green for Green is a student-led initiative to encourage students to be actively involved in Mills sustainability. Green for Green is a student controlled grant program specifically set aside for …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2019
- Green Funds
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Student Sustainability Fund
- Clark University (MA)
The Student Sustainability Fund is a resource for the advancement of sustainable practices, education, and infrastructure within the Clark community. It supports student-designed, student-led projects to improve campus sustainability.
- Posted Feb. 7, 2019
- Green Funds
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Green Fund
- Loyola University Maryland (MD)
In February 2014, the Senate of the Student Government Association of Loyola University Maryland approved a $2,000 budget line to a new “Green Fund” initiative to go towards sustainability projects …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2019
- Green Funds
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STARS Data Quality Boot Camp Webinar Series: Engagement
- AASHE (MA)
Expanded from last year, the STARS Data Quality Boot Camp Series will help you gain the insights you need to submit a high-quality STARS report in time for the 2019 …
- Posted Jan. 30, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
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Stakeholder Perceptions of Campus Sustainability Efforts: Lessons from Vermont
- University of Vermont (VT)
Universities have begun to officially recognize advancing sustainability as an institutional goal. This paper reports on research on students’ awareness, attitudes, and behaviors at the University of Vermont as a …
- Posted Jan. 25, 2019
- Publications
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Heartware as a driver for campus sustainability: Insights from an action-oriented exploratory case study
- University of Malaya
- Kyoto University
Literature on campus sustainability transitions is mainly focused on the hardware and software approaches, with less attention on the so-called ‘heartware’ approach. Heartware refers to the internal and voluntary motivation …
- Posted Jan. 25, 2019
- Publications
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‘Whole Earth?’ Using an Exhibition to Raise Sustainability Awareness at a UK University
- Canterbury Christ Church University
Despite mounting evidence of global environmental stress, many educationalists appear to be discounting warnings of ecological collapse from scientists, futurists and community leaders. One way of promoting sustainability awareness may …
- Posted Jan. 11, 2019
- Publications
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The Road to Gold: Sustainability Success Really is Written in the STARS
- Texas A&M University (TX)
STARS, or Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System, is a self-reporting system which scores itself on various categories, including academics, engagement, operations, planning & administration, and innovation & leadership. The …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Service Learning Catalyst
- University of Texas at El Paso (TX)
Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) is a non-profit network that creates solutions to local and global sustainability challenges through service learning projects. Current and past projects have centered around …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Most Likely to Succeed: Tips for Students when Developing Sustainability Initiative Proposals
- Trinity University (TX)
The presentation offers 8 tips for constructing comprehensive plans to build a foundation for success, the key elements of a proposal, and campus stakeholders to consider when developing a proposal.
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Making the World Safe for Pollinators, One Campus at a Time
- Abilene Christian University (TX)
Bee City USA is an organization that is dedicated to protecting declining pollinator populations. These organisms are keystone species in the environment and one third of human food production depends …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Healthy Communities
- Dallas College (TX)
Student activists at North Lake College researched tobacco usage on campus and how it affected students and faculty. Through activism the students were able to have their district pass a …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Dollars are Flying Out of Your Green Fund! Does that Equal Success?
- Texas A&M University (TX)
The Aggie Green Fund was established at Texas A&M University in 2011 and remains a resource for students to lead green initiatives. Areas of success and improvement in the utilization …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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UT Austin Green Labs and Green Offices
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
The Green Offices and Green Labs initiative at University of Texas at Austin aims to transform campus workspaces into more eco-friendly environments. Improvements include reducing overall waste, implementation of collection …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Four Steps for Leading Impactful Environmental Change On-Campus
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
The Campus Environmental Center at University of Texas at Austin explains their strategy for encouraging student-led activism. They describe their steps as: build a motivated community, create a strategic plan, …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Aggie Eco-Reps: Engaging students in sustainability initiatives
- Texas A&M University (TX)
The Aggie Eco-Reps at Texas A&M University began as a recycling initiative in 2010; today the program has grown to 80 members. The goal of the Aggie Eco-Reps is to …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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St. John's University Academic Center for Equity and Inclusion
- St. John's University, New York (NY)
The Academic Center for Equity and Inclusion (or “Academic Center”) organizes scholarly and pedagogical activities that advance St. John's University's commitment to an inclusive and equitable University community. The Academic …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Research Centers & Institutes
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The challenge of coordinated civic climate change education
- Bard College (NY)
- Dickinson College (PA)
- James Madison University (VA)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- St. Mary's College of Maryland (MD)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University at Albany (NY)
- University of Richmond (VA)
Many sustainability educators want to more effectively engage their students with climate policy. They also seek to support students’ civic and change agent skills and dispositions to take on critical …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2018
- Publications
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Sustainability Competition and Interactive Map
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
This project was developed to accomplish grant deliverables focusing on campus education surrounding sustainability initiatives and upgrades to Illinois electrical infrastructure. The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Office of …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2018
- Case Studies
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Environmental Education at Faculty of Agriculture and Changing Awareness, Attitude and Behavior towards Environment in Turkey
- Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University
- Hitit Üniversitesi
Environmental problems have become increasingly more destructive. For this reason, environmental education and awareness have gained importance. This study had two objectives: to determine the factors affecting the attitude and …
- Posted Nov. 26, 2018
- Publications
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Students’ mobility attitudes and sustainable transport mode choice
- University of Bergamo
This study aims to explore the propensity of university students to use different sustainable transport modes, taking into account individual and specific trip characteristics, as well as students’ psychological traits …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2018
- Publications
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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Sustainability: Systematic Review 1990–2016
- Universidad de Antioquia
For any transition towards sustainability to be successful, it is necessary to understand the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) – related to sustainability – in different populations. A systematic review …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2018
- Publications
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Enhancing university students’ global citizenship, public mindedness, and moral quotient for promoting sense of environmental responsibility and pro-environmental behaviours
- Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University
- King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi
Many universities have attempted to courage their students to engage in sustainable, green behaviours. However, the mere role of environmental knowledge cannot contribute to students’ engagement in pro-environmental behaviours. This …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2018
- Publications
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Impact of communication sources for achieving campus sustainability
- Cornell University (NY)
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
Using self-reported data from over 12,000 students, staff, and faculty members, this study aims to quantify the effectiveness of various sustainability information sources on the awareness and behavioral changes of …
- Posted Nov. 13, 2018
- Publications
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Student team integrating aspects of sustainability in practical design education
- Chiba University
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the first experiences (activities, attitudes and inclinations) of an undergraduate student team with eco-design activities.
Design/methodology/approach Undergraduate students of …
- Posted Nov. 13, 2018
- Publications
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Sustaining our Communities Through Care and Action
- Western Washington University (WA)
Sustainability is becoming more expansive; ideas about social and economic justice and human health are becoming integrated into the environmental field. But is this holistic ideal replicated in the way …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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A Primer on Living Wage Policies and Just Employment
- Saint Joseph's University (PA)
This session provides an introduction to living wage policies and just employment principles, applicable not only in higher education, but in any form of organization. Intended for attendees seeking an …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Stay Rad Post Grad: Finding Your Path After College
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
Are you graduating? Are you panicking? Or maybe you know exactly what you want to do, but it's just a matter of making it happen. Join the PLAN staff (with …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Well-Being for All, Sustainably at Dawson College
- Dawson College (QC)
Institutes of higher education may be populated with many people, but they can be lonely places for staff and students alike. Stress is also prevalent in our schools. An ever-increasing …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Innovation: Creating a new Minor in Somatic Sustainability at Appalachian State University
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Awakening somatic intelligence and understanding sustainable body practices are important aspects of an enlarged conversation of sustainability. As a part of that dialogue, we have created a new minor in …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Secrets to Success for Your Career and Your Campus in Sustainability
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
Do you want tips to create a great career in sustainability? Do you also want to create more positive impacts on campus and beyond? Do you want to be a …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Resilience and Renewal - A Retreat Model: Preparing Ourselves for a Lifetime of Global Change
- Central College (IA)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Join sustainability students in discovering how a model of stepping away from our various institutions, discovering common challenges, and reflecting on our resilience can help us sustain ourselves. Central College …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Adaptation and Resilience in Sustaining Ourselves - A Micro-Retreat
- Macalester College (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Join sustainability professionals across Minnesota in discovering how a model of stepping away from our various institutions, discovering common challenges and building cross-institution relationships helps us sustain ourselves. The planning …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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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.