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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Responsible Consumption and Production: An Academic Year Deep Dive
- Lafayette College (PA)
During this session, we'll take a look at the opportunities to promote recycling and reuse during the academic year at a small liberal arts college. We'll chart out a years' …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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A Multi-Method Approach to Increasing Campus Diversion
- Georgia State University (GA)
This session will provide insight on how the largest university in the state of Georgia went from a 10% diversion rate to 49% in just 4 years with few resources. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Fats, Oils and Grease - 'Don't Flush It'
- Georgia College & State University (GA)
Georgia College & State University (GC) in partnership with the City of Milledgeville's Waste Water Treatment Program in Milledgeville, GA, have joined to educate the campus community on waste disposal …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Break Free From Plastic on Your Campus
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
Cities and Countries across the world are making commitments to reduce their reliance on single use disposable plastics. It's time for campuses to follow suit. From swag to coffee cups, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Off-Campus Student Housing Recycling Program
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
Over 68 percent of students at the University of Nebraska Lincoln live in off-campus student housing, and many are conforming to the trend of residing in luxury student apartments. In …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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From Diversion to Prevention: Re-imagining Waste
- Bow Valley College (AB)
This is a story of a campus that has moved from seeing waste as merely a municipal bylaw, to diversion targets, and is now moving toward re-imagining waste as a …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Accessible and Ethical E-Waste: Adaptability in Infrastructure
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
This presentation is a case study on implementing an accessible and ethical e-waste system in UC Berkeley, where previously no affordable options had been available to students despite the hundreds …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Western State Colorado University Role in Advancing SDGs- Road Map to Institutionalizing Zero Waste
- Western Colorado University (CO)
Higher education plays critical roles in the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More specifically, higher education should strategically strive in its physical operations in advancing the …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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A Residential Recycling Competition at Skidmore College
- Skidmore College (NY)
Energy conservation competitions are a cornerstone project in many schools' outreach efforts, and this program utilized a similar approach to address apartment waste patterns. This recycling and compost-oriented competition involved …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Thinking Outside of the Trash: Waste Policy Implementation and Education at Emory University
- Emory University (GA)
Emory University consulted with Cascadia and Burns & McDonnell during 2016-2017 to assess Emory's materials management program and make recommendations for innovative and programmatic strategies to help Emory achieve its …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Using Waste Audit Data to Drive Waste Reduction, Diversion, and Engagement
- Northwestern University (IL)
- Oakton Community College (IL)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- University of Richmond (VA)
Unlike other utilities, such as electricity and natural gas, actual waste and recycling data are more difficult to track. The lack of ready to use data creates challenges in goal …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Zero Waste Campus: Mitigating Landfill Waste on an Urban College Campus
- College of Charleston (SC)
Charleston, South Carolina is a coastal city that is home to the College of Charleston, an integrated city campus. As the city is on the forefront to experiencing rising sea …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Vermicompost: A Study of Alternative Composting in Arid Climates
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Traditional composting methods will often yield a nutrient-rich fertilizer. However, when such methods are performed in an arid climate, such as the Sonoran Desert, additional precautions must be taken to …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Alternative Transportation in the Rural Context
- State University of New York at Cortland (NY)
SUNY Cortland and other smaller comprehensive colleges function as economic drivers to the local economy, and especially in the case of smaller colleges located in more rural settings. In this …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Designing Despite the Department of Transportation
- College of Charleston (SC)
In a state, South Caroline, that is lacking in alternative transportation infrastructure and can barely maintain the infrastructure, how can a place of higher learning creative transportation? Most roads in …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Becoming a Social Organism: Action Research Turns Environmental Research Into a Sustainable Act
- Shenkar College of Engineering and Design
"What is the impact of my work on the environment?", asks designer and educator Victor Papanek in the first chapter of his revolutionary 1995 book, The Green Imperative. Papanek's words …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Ecological Grief: How Higher Education Responds to Environmental Trauma
- Bow Valley College (AB)
Grieving the loss or change of a cherished natural space has not always been recognized as a true form of grieving. With summers filled with smoke, devastating flooding, record-breaking hurricanes …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Campus Action Research Advances Sustainable Development Goals
- George Mason University (VA)
- Universidad de Monterrey
Across North American college campuses, learners seek to enhance our sustainability competency through acting locally to advance the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainability Action Research (SAR) provides a …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Lessons from Year 1 of Turning the Page on Campus Paper Use
- Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus (OR)
- Root Solutions (CA)
Join this session to learn about the experiences of the initial cohort and AASHE's Turning the Page on Campus Paper Use program. Organized in partnership with behavior change specialists at …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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@IUSBees Raising Awareness to Rise to the Challenge
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Student Summit Case Study: @IUSBees raising awareness to rise to the Challenge. How can higher education institutions align their teaching and research activities around the SDGs?Align them in the balance …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Role of Higher Education Institutions in Reducing Poverty by Promoting Sustainable Tourism
- Dallas College (TX)
All college and university campuses are imbedded in a local community. All communities have the potential to offer ecotourism opportunities to residents and visitors. Ecotourism/sustainable toursim is now defined as …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Connecting Communities to Data That Matter - Linkages Through SDGs
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
In recent years, a rising number of innovative firms and entrepreneurs have intentionally coalesced around university centers to bring invention plus implementation together. These universities known as anchor institutions typically …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Universities as Catalysts for Transformative Sustainable Change
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Emory University (GA)
- University of Georgia (GA)
- Portland Community College (OR)
- Spelman College (GA)
This session will explore how universities can serve as anchor institutions in their communities, advancing their own goals and regional sustainability at the same time, through education about and implementation …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Social Marketing/Behavior Change Practitioner Meetup
- University of Georgia (GA)
- Busch Systems International Inc. (ON)
Are you interested in using marketing as a behavior change agent? Me too! Let's get together for a focused discussion about goals, challenges, and successes in your behavior change programs. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Food Conscious Campus: Urban Innovations Towards Zero Hunger
- MacEwan University (AB)
Innovative technologies like Flow Hives, Tower Gardens, and Urban Cultivators engage the campus community with local food options and opportunities for food security downtown. Through a short documentary and discussion, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Weatherizing Together: Finding Effective Community Partnerships
- Furman University (SC)
Is your school planning on or already implementing a home weatherization program? Have you found community partners for your program? Furman University's home weatherization program, the Community Conservation Corps (CCC), …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Mapping our Participation in the United Nations Global Compact: Storytelling and Sustainability
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
As a participant of the U.N. Global Compact, the State University College of New York at Geneseo uses the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals as a framework to talk about our …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Community Impacts Through Energy-Efficient Housing Education
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
The Energy Efficient Housing Research Group (EEHR), an outreach arm of the Hamer Center for Community Design, is a conduit between high-performance housing research and housing stakeholders. EEHR connects multidisciplinary …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Climate Memes: Undergraduates Making Climate Data Go Viral
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
On Earth Day 2017, Climatepedia boothed in Pershing Square at the March for Science-Los Angeles. Students from the University of California, Irvine branch of the organization displayed their signs at …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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All We Need is Political Will: Empowering Students on Civic Engagement on Climate Change
- Juniata College (PA)
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
- Citizens' Climate Lobby (CA)
At this critical time in our nation's history, the need to transition to a clean energy economy and a just and equitable society is more urgent than ever. Young people …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Student Green Funds: Lessons Learned
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
Three campuses will share their experiences creating and working with Green Funds. The panel will review key lessons learned regarding Green Fund structure, function, efficacy, longevity and campus engagement. When …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Aligning Endowment Investments With the Sustainable Development Goals
- Intentional Endowments Network (MA)
- MSCI (NY)
The past few years have seen a surge in interest and activity around how endowment investment practices can be better aligned with institutional mission, values, and sustainability goals. Endowment decision-makers …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Moving Toward Climate Justice Through Divestment and Reinvestment
- Better Future Project (MA)
All colleges have an endowment that they use to invest in a broad range of industries. Divestment is a powerful tactic where institutions can use their political and financial power …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Divestment: How Public Universities Can Defund Climate Change
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
This presentation addresses widely held beliefs regarding institutional investors, specifically higher education's approach to investments, and provides a review of methods of fossil fuel divestment campaigns across the country. By …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Celebrating Anniversaries: Reflecting and Adapting within Campus Green Funds
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Adaptability is key for any successful program. In spring of 2016, students renewed The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) at UC Berkeley for an additional 10 years, celebrating 10 years of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Divestment and Bureaucracy: how to Capitalize on and Celebrate Small Incremental Change
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Fossil Free Pitt Coalition is a coalition of 50 different clubs that are pushing the University of Pittsburgh to divest its endowment away from fossil fuels. This is an especially …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Pollinator Friendly Campuses: Strategies to Help You Get Your Buzz on!
- Central Community College (NE)
- Colgate University (NY)
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus (OR)
This engaging and interactive panel will provide strategies from geographically diverse locations in North America to initiate or continue bee keeping and support pollinator health on your campus. Colgate University …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Supporting Sustainability Education and Biodiversity Through Grounds Management
- State University of New York at Cortland (NY)
For the last 3 years, AASHE Sustainable Campus Index has recognized SUNY Cortland as top performing in the grounds category. This poster will highlight the variety of methods we use …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Overcoming Obstacles When Establishing Intentional, Productive Urban Campus Green Spaces: Natural and Man-made Challenges
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
In April 2016, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), an urban research university in downtown Richmond, VA, created an on-campus Learning Garden. Urban campus gardens can face a unique set of challenges …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Leadership in Sustainable Grounds Management: The Audubon International Experience
- American University (DC)
- University of Florida (FL)
- Niagara College Canada (ON)
- Audubon International (NY)
This presentation will provide an open dialogue and best practice sharing on the process of achieving Audubon International's (AI) Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) certification at both public and private, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Lettuce Talk: Students and Dining Staff Collaborating on Plant-Based Dining
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
- Sodexo USA (MD)
Plant-based diets can be healthier and more sustainable than meat-centric diets but plant-based options in college dining halls often fail to be crave-worthy. At the University of Pittsburgh dining halls, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Real Food Challenge at University of Pittsburgh
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
The Real Food Challenge is a nation-wide initiative to bring local, fair, humane, and ecologically sound food to college campuses. By 2020, every participating institution aims to have 20% of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Using FEEDS Communication Platform to Share Sustainability News From Dining Services
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
- Chartwells Higher Education (NY)
As part of our commitment to sustainability, in October 2017 UNC Asheville Dining Services, a division of Chartwells Higher Ed, rolled out a new public communications platform called FEEDS: Farm-Forward …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Local Food Sourcing in Kentucky: A Case Study in Higher Ed Collaboration
- Aramark (PA)
The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville have a unique approach to sourcing local food. Hear from the Sustainability Managers from their dining services and the Executive Director …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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UT Farm Stand: A Campus-Scale Model for Sustainable Food Production
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
At the University of Texas, UT Farm Stand offers an innovative campus-scale model for a sustainable food production system. This student-run program depicts the unique tale of farm to market …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Building a Meal Sharing Program
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Johnson County Kansas has mirrored the increased food insecurity that has been prevalent at the national level. Johnson County Community College has tackled this issue by creating a meal share …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Changing Plates: How Aramark Partnered With HSUS to Lead Sustainable Change Through Food
- Aramark (PA)
- The Humane Society of the United States (MD)
Demand for more plant-based menus continues to grow as students become more knowledgeable about their food choices and the impact on the planet. As part of their continued relationship of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Expanding the Mission of a CanstructionU Competition to Include Partnerships for Hunger Awareness
- Penn State Brandywine (PA)
As part of a year-long effort to develop community partnerships themed on sustainability, Penn State Brandywine connected with the local food bank for an academic and volunteer collaboration. In the …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Driving Food Reconnection at Arizona State University through Collaboration between USP and Aramark
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Aramark (PA)
Surveys conducted at Arizona State University dining locations indicate that the vast majority of customers care about using natural resources responsibly and make a conscious effort to only take what …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Closing the Loop: Building a Healthy and Sustainable Campus Food System
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) has made remarkable changes to its food landscape in the past few years. Our campus supports and hosts multiple organic food learning gardens as well …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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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.