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
Pop Quiz, What Does Sustainability Mean? A Training Certificate Program
- Saint Louis University (MO)
How can you develop a basic knowledge of what sustainability means on your campus without required coursework integrated into the curriculum or reach large audiences at the same time? This ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Formalizing Sustainability Education as an Opportunity for Faculty and Staff Development
- University of Denver (CO)
The University of Denver has identified employee professional development as a focal point of human resources. The Colorado 14ers People Development Program provides a platform for centralizing many opportunities offered ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Plastic-Free Campuses
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
From bottles and bags to polypropylene microbeads, we discuss tangible alternatives to single-use disposable plastics on a college or university campus. We use campus-specific programs to highlight success stories of ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Sustainability Reporting Built on Stakeholder Engagement
- University of Calgary (AB)
Sustainability reports span the spectrum from powerful education and engagement tools to promotional 'greenwash'. What differentiates the good, the bad and the ugly? In this case study we will look ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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The University of Texas at Austin Green Tours Program
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
UT Green Tours began in 2014 as an effort to connect all of the sustainability efforts on campus with the University and wider community. Initially all of the information regarding ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Strategic Sustainability Planning for a Community College District
- San Mateo County Community College District Office (CA)
The San Mateo County Community College District, located just south of San Francisco, consists of three colleges, Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. Sustainability is the underlying ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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The power of perception: evaluating sustainability contradictions as a tool for culture change
- Princeton University (NJ)
For a variety of reasons, behind the scenes operational dimensions of sustainability are often prioritized on campuses above the more challenging social and cultural dimensions. But arguably the most important ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Ecological Restoration on a Liberal Arts Campus: On-site and Community Development
- Drew University (NJ)
Situated on a small suburban campus in Madison, New Jersey, in a densely populated region of the US, Drew University attracts students to come live in the 'forest,' while accessing ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Employing Urban Ecology in Grounds Management at New York University
- New York University (NY)
The emerging field of urban ecology has taken on a new urgency in recent years as most of the world's population now lives in cities where open spaces are ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Homestead Campus to Cure Higher Ed's Hang-Ups: Affordability, Access, & Sustainability Lip-Service
- University of Mount Union (OH)
Students and families complain that college is too expensive and exclusive. Employers complain that college graduates lack practical skills and critical thinking abilities. Sustainability educators call it systems thinking but ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Arbor Day Event Trains Environmental Stewards
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
Since 2014, SOU's Landscape Services Dept has hosted an annual Arbor Day Celebration inviting local K-12 schools, members of the surrounding community, our own student body, faculty, staff, and ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Developing a Customizable Offset Program for Off Campus Travel
- Appalachian State University (NC)
During the spring semester of 2016, The Office of Sustainability at Appalachian State University capitalized on the growing momentum of a voluntary Carbon Neutral Commuter offset program by expanding beyond ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Revitalizing Sustainability in a Large, Urban Research Institution
- New York University (NY)
In 2007, New York University made a public commitment to reduce emissions by 30% by 2017. This goal was reached in 2012. In 2015, NYU made another commitment to reduce ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Engaging Students in Sustainable Behaviors: Reflection and Action in the UW Carbon Challenge
- University of Washington, Tacoma (WA)
Many sustainability educators hope to provide students with not only information, but also opportunities to reflect on, and perhaps change, their own attitudes, values, and beliefs leading to pro-environmental behaviors ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Higher Education Food Task Force: Institutional Cooperation Addressing Food Security and Sustainability Issues
- University of Utah (UT)
We created a Higher Education Food Task Force with the seven major institutions along what is known as the Wasatch Front in Utah, which is the major population center for ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Overcoming Superhero Syndrome
- GreenerU (MA)
When sustainability pros see a problem, our unique mixture of self-efficacy, personal responsibility, and influential competency often mean that we take the problem head-on. And that other problem. And all ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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The Harsh Realities of Generating Successful Living Laboratories
- Dickinson College (PA)
Living laboratories are a growing component of sustainability in higher education, however their creation is frequently meet with stiff opposition. Dickinson College has successfully cultivated two living laboratories, The Handlebar ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Make a Ripple. Join a Wave: Developing experiential communication campaigns to accelerate positive perceptions in sustainability
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Encouraging positive perception & behavior change requires an integrated approach to communication, education & awareness. UBC's annual Ripple Effect is a multi-channel, student-focused campaign that explores & exemplifies all ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Tracking student shower usage in real-time
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (MA)
Self-reported shower durations suffer from memory inconsistency and timing accuracy as humans generally have great difficulty telling time internally. Our pre- and post-program self-report surveys also introduce errors due to ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Creating a Strategic Plan for Sustainability
- University of Regina (SK)
How do you create a powerful sustainability strategic plan with limited internal resources and what should that plan say? This session will answer these questions by providing insight into the ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Sustainability Transformation at a Rural University: Building New Linkages across the Campus
- Frostburg State University (MD)
Frostburg State University's commitment to sustainability has developed over a number of years as new linkages allowed to University to connect academic, residential, co-curricular, and community activities under the ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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New England Farm & Sea to Campus Network
- Farm to Institution New England (VT)
Join us for this networking session. The New England Farm & Sea to Campus Network formed in 2015 in order to help connect campus-based stakeholders and other food system stakeholders ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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What to Say and What Not to Say on the Road to Becoming Effective Communicators on Climate Change
- ecoAmerica (DC)
This presentation will showcase ecoAmerica's Solution Generation program and communications research that will empower higher education leaders to more effectively connect with campuses and their broader communities on climate ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Is Everybody Present? Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and a Creative Curriculum to Teach Sustainability, Healthful Eating, and Stress Reduction
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
Mindfulness based training and practice is an effective tool promoting resilience, positive health outcomes and awareness of those around us and connection to all living things. This sustainable approach reinforces ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Earthstock' & 'A Road to Sustainability': Creative Programming to Promote a Sustainable Campus Culture
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
- Universidad de Monterrey
Join us to learn about the crossroads between creative, educational programming and environmental sustainability at Earthstock and Road to Sustainability. By organizing campus-wide events such as documentary/movie showings, vegan ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Advocating for Sustainability
- University of Arizona (AZ)
During Fall 2015, the Sustainability Advocate program was instated in each of the Panhellenic sorority chapters with house facilities at the University of Arizona. The advocate's job is to ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Illustrating the 'Criterion Problem': How Starting With the End in Mind Gets us There
- Missouri State University (MO)
Virtually every sustainability problem begins with human thinking and behavior. While this may seem obvious, psychologists are rarely involved in the conception, development, delivery, or evaluation of real world attempts ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Making a Sustainable Community Among College Theatres
- Ramapo College of New Jersey (NJ)
Theatre is a creative place to share ideas with others. Theatres have done well with doing more with less, but there is a need for more sustainable practices. People have ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Building Student Leadership Through Networks: Connecting Higher Education Institutions Through Behavior Change Projects
- Augsburg University (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
This poster focuses on the value of connecting students, faculty and staff across boundaries. In this case, we connected across institutions, learning from each other and developing a network for ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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From "me" to "we" in the Academic World Towards Sustainability: Path and Purpose
- Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ)
My passion to create a shift in society will hopefully show you how to switch from "me" to "we" and build a Sustainable World. Two years ago, I discovered my ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Establishing a Student Green Fund at Your University
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a student-led effort recently succeeded with the establishment of a student green fund. The green fund currently provides approximately $46,000 per year to be ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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The Tiny House at the Tiny College: Design and Assessment of a Sustainable Micro-Housing Prototype.
- Randolph College (VA)
The planned Tiny House at Randolph College is multi-function: As a public resource on sustainable design and its significance; as a teaching tool for environmental sustainability and assessment; temporary accommodation ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Zero-Waste Initiative: Paving the Way
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
As an institution with over 25,000 students, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln produces an overwhelming amount of waste. Although UNL currently has a waste diversion rate of about 50 percent ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Helping Students Lead on Solar: Collaborations to Advance Renewable Energy on Campus
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
Despite having some of the lowest-priced electricity in the nation, our students forged ahead to identify opportunities for solar energy and the ways it will fit into the energy future ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Showcasing Community Sustainability Champions on Campus: Why? How?
- Indiana University South Bend (IN)
For several years, the IU South Bend Center for a Sustainable Future has held a Sustainability Lecture Series on campus. The format has evolved over time to best meet the ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Key Facilities Metrics; Gateway Survey for Collegiate Improvements
- National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) (DC)
For the third year, the joint APPA/NACUBO 'Key Facilities Benchmark' survey is being offered and results will be highlighted. The five simple measures instigated by the NACUBO Sustainability Advisory ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Mapping the St. Croix Valley: Beyond Sustainability
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
The St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development, established on the UWRF campus in 2007, branched out across the watershed and state boundaries to become the St. Croix Institute LLC ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Classroom, Campus and Community Sustainability Engagement: Resources for Engaging the Social Dimensions of Change
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
Sustainability education and engagement should encompass more than mere knowledge acquisition, instead integrating a transformative learning process that engages the whole person. This 30 minute workshop highlights why participatory, dialogue-based ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Systems Thinking for Campus Sustainability: Utilizing the University of Central Florida Campus as a Living Laboratory
- University of Central Florida (FL)
In Spring of 2016, UCF's College of Engineering and Computer Science offered a new honors-level course titled Systems Analysis for Sustainability in Engineered Systems. The 14 week course introduces ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Cold is no Excuse! Campus Sustainability in Cold Climates
- Western Colorado University (CO)
Western State Colorado University is committed to sustainability throughout campus. WSCU is situated in Gunnison, CO., a unique valley that experiences extremely cold temperatures. Sub-zero temperatures are not uncommon on ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Importance of Student-led Efforts in Initiating Sustainability Programs in a Location With Predominantly Conservative Values
- Tarleton State University (TX)
Tarleton State University provides an interesting dichotomy It is located in a small town in rural Texas where sustainability has neither been promoted nor required. For years, faculty were stymied ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Greeks Go Green
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
Greeks Going Green is a collaborative project with the student government at the University of Nebraska, which aims to show people that through simple actions, they have the power to ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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A first year Honors seminar, Exploring Sustainable Solution, challenges students with interdisciplinary case-based learning.
- Colorado State University (CO)
The first year Honors Seminar--Exploring Sustainable Solutions: A Case-Based Approach--is intended to prepare students to deepen their understanding of sustainability through active involvement in campus projects and how these can ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Sustainable Video Production
- Western Michigan University (MI)
The community of sustainability is constantly growing. With new practices from around the world on how we can build a better understanding of sustainability, key aspects arise from the ability ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Cultural Competencies: Developing a sustainable professional development model for a student services office
- Kent State University (OH)
This poster session describes the development of a multi-year professional development plan focused on increasing the cultural competencies of staff members in the Vacca Office of Student Services (VOSS), in ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Student wellbeing : handbook and practical tools to help French campuses
- Graines de Changement
In 2012, the network Campus Responsables concluded a partnership to display interactive plays within campuses regarding studend alcohol consumption. In 2013, the network published a practical guide about stutent wellbeing ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Entrepreneurial Thought and Action in Sustainability
- Babson College (MA)
In this presentation we will explore how the concept of Entrepreneurial Thought and Action can be applied to sustainability initiatives at your college or university. We will focus on: utilizing ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Beyond the Ivory Tower: Participating in City and State Sustainability Initiatives and Challenges
- New York University (NY)
As sustainability professionals in institutes of higher education, many of us have seen first-hand the impacts of our work. We have seen how large-scale energy, waste management, and engagement projects ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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MIT's Sustainability DataHub
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
Datasets are ubiquitous at MIT. The Institute collects large volumes of data on a variety of subjects related to the sustainability effort. However, these datasets are housed in diverse and ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Enhancing Appalachian's Sustainability-Related Community Engagement
- Appalachian State University (NC)
This presentation will provide an overview of efforts at Appalachian State University to expand and improve sustainability-related community engagement. For years, Appalachian's Sustainability Council has been charged with setting ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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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.