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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Addressing the Global Water Crisis: One Toilet at a Time
- Niagara Conservation (TX)
Water scarcity is one of the most pressing issues in sustainability today. How can we address the global water crisis? Emily Schmidt from Niagara will explore the large scale impacts …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Urban, Rural, and On-Campus Solutions (UROC): Living Campus Accelerator Toolkit
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Arizona State University has committed to becoming carbon neutral for campus buildings by 2025. University Sustainability Practices (USP) is working tirelessly to help fulfill this vision. USP and partner universities …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Gameday Waste Minimization
- University of Arizona (AZ)
- University of Rochester (NY)
The University of Arizona will share the success story of their student-run program working to ingrain zero waste practices within athletic events. This workshop will describe the trials and tribulations …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Move Out Solutions With William & Mary's DormMania and the Post-Landfill Action Network
- College of William & Mary (VA)
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
Join the Post Landfill Action Network (PLAN) and William & Mary in a discussion about reducing waste during campus move-out! Students throw away tons of usable items every year during …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Do Dorm Move-Out Waste Reduction Programs Really Reduce Carbon Emissions?
- University of Arizona (AZ)
A team of engineering researchers at the University of Arizona, led by Dr. Paul Blowers and undergraduate student Nick Deak, measured the carbon footprint associated with materials collected during a …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Measuring Success - Auditing the Zero Waste Process
- Medical University of South Carolina (SC)
At the Medical University of South Carolina we, like many campuses, are constantly improving our waste system in an effort to strive for 'Zero Waste'. During the 2016 RecycleMania competition …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Stadium Clean-up: Invest in & Engage Student Organizations, Promote Sustainability, Reduce Costs
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
The Diddle/Smith Recycling Program engages student organizations to clean the arena/stadium after football and basketball games, as well as other special events. In exchange for cleaning, volunteers receive a free …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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How Might we Create a Sustainable Make-A-Thon to Inform Students About Sustainable Design?
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Design U every year puts on the 10,000 makes 24 hour Make-A-Thon where we bring in engineers, designers, business students and whoever else wants to join to essentially make something …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Engaging Housekeeping Staff for Zero Waste Success
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Contamination of single-stream recycling is one of the most significant obstacles to waste diversion. While campus culture promotes recycling, users do not reliably recycle correctly. The result is a contaminated …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Achieving Zero Waste and Campus-Wide Compost Bins: Progress from Swarthmore College
- Swarthmore College (PA)
In 2017, Swarthmore College formalized its commitment to achieving a Zero Waste campus, with an interim goal of reaching an 80% diversion rate by 2022. This ambitious commitment, which built …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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How to Run Initiatives on Campus That Will Lower Waste
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
Having an 'eco' conscious lifestyle has been mainly about buying 'green' items so we can lower our impact on this planet. Today, our problem is not about buying items but …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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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 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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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.