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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EcoArt Entertainment
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Wearing upcycled costumes, Brooklyn based Artichoke Dance Company performs as part of Campus Earth Day 2023. Artichoke Dance are EcoArtists and Environmental Activists. They are known for performances paired with …
- Posted May 22, 2023
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EcoArt Entertainment
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Wearing upcycled costumes, Brooklyn based Artichoke Dance Company performs as part of Campus Earth Day 2023. Artichoke Dance are EcoArtists and Environmental Activists. They are known for performances paired with …
- Posted May 22, 2023
- Photographs
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KAUST SDG Highlight Report 2021/2022
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Makkah)
The KAUST SDG Highlight Report 2021 & 2022 features major projects, programs, and initiatives that have been set up or have been continuously running at KAUST across three broad categories: …
- Posted May 18, 2023
- Publications
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Cooking with Purpose – Empowering Food-insecure College Students to “Take Back Cooking” for Climate Mitigation, Nutrition and Budget Benefits!
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- AASHE (MA)
Food pantries on college campuses have a wide variety of food choices with a wide variety of cost, nutritional, and greenhouse gas impacts. In an effort to encourage food-insecure students …
- Posted May 18, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Black and Brown Bodies in Green Spaces. How to Create Structural Change in the Zero Waste Movement
- Generation Conscious, Inc. (NY)
Join G.L. Genco as he shares his story on the founding of Generation Conscious and how he builds networks and power for intentionally exploited communities. Through this discussion, he'll share …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Campus-Community Partnerships: Building Food Sovereignty and Fostering Collaboration
- Lafayette College (PA)
This session will explore how Lafayette College has succeeded and failed at building campus-community partnerships to address food sovereignty with an opportunity for participants to explore their own campus-community engagement …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Can Colleges and Universities Become Bioregional Regeneration Learning Centers?
- Otterbein University (OH)
- Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice (OH)
Daniel Wahl, in his manual-for-the-future DESIGNING REGENERATIVE CULTURES, calls for colleges to become “bioregional learning and research centers” in order to best make use of our expertise for addressing the …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Students Taking on Oil & Petrochemicals Fellowship
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
PLAN’s Students Taking on Oil and Petrochemicals (STOP) Fellowship supports students that attend universities in Appalachia, a region threatened by an impending petrochemical buildout. This year-long fellowship provides students with …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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An Educational Program on Organic Waste Composting and Compost End Use at Kean University
- Kean University (NJ)
An institutional-wide educational and behavior change campaign was initiated in 2021 at Kean University (KU) to promote organic waste recycling and composting on campus. The program focused on three areas …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Radical Voices: How Students Want to Learn in a Crises World
- Catawba College (NC)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
This session shares experiences of students in higher education in an effort to provide a platform for the "radical" voices within the Academy. We use the term radical in a …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Sustainability Event Planning
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
Learn about sustainability and event planning with Kenzie Luterbach, the events coordinator for the Office of Sustainability at UW-Stevens Point. Learn about the events that have gone on at the …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Using Google Tools to Support Visitors and Student Employees at the Mills College Reuse Depot
- Mills College (CA)
Both student employees and sustainability staff are always looking for increasing impact and efficiency. Simple and free tools like Google Calendar supports Mills Sustainability's, the sustainability division at Mills College …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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The Recipe for Hosting a Successful On-Campus Engagement Event
- San Mateo County Community College District Office (CA)
Successful on-campus engagement events are challenging to pull off. The purpose of this session is to equip busy sustainability staff with the best tips and tricks to coordinate large-scale, engaging …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Ask Me Anything About How to Start an "Ask Me Anything Series
- University of California, Merced (CA)
In May 2020, the University of California, Merced launched a monthly “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) Series where an expert guest is featured for an hour long session answering attendees’ questions …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Eliminate Waste and Provide for the Underprivileged- A Free Store
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
The University of Tennessee – Knoxville’s program, The Free Store, is a community-based resource dedicated to helping UT students, faculty, and staff reduce their environmental impact and save money. It …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Campus Sustainability Starts in the Lab
- My Green Lab (CA)
Recent years show a global movement in sustainability as more organizations see the benefit of reducing their operations’ environmental impact. Thousands of universities have pledged to be more sustainable through …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Engage Your Campus Community Through Social Media
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
Have you ever wondered how to connect to students using social media as a tool to spread awareness of your sustainability initiatives? Are you struggling to grab students’ attention online? …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Stay Rad, Post Grad
- 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 May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Bringing Out the Change-Maker in All of Us
- City University of New York, Hunter College (NY)
- PIPS Education Fund (NY)
Can you think of any games that use some form of currency (coins, tokens, etc.) to encourage people to keep playing? Have you ever gotten hooked on such a game, …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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UVA Green Labs: A Holistic Approach to Technical Communications
- University of Virginia (VA)
The UVA Green Labs Program has implemented a tiered model for communications that provides helpful and accessible resources to a broad range of stakeholders on Grounds. This approach has been …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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The Importance of Student Leaders in Project-Based Sustainability Spaces
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
University students are the main drivers of change on campus, but getting this change initiated can seem challenging and intimidating. Join student leaders and teaching assistants from the University of …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Empathy Mapping: A Design Tool for Impactful Sustainability Programs
- Davidson College (NC)
In this session, attendees will practice the skill of empathy mapping, the first step in design thinking. To create value for their own work, attendees will then be asked to …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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I Am Not Throwing Away My (Up)Shot: Pandemic Pains Prove Resiliency Benefits Everyone
- Texas A&M University (TX)
A full two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, most of us are overly acquainted with the online fatigue brought about by our virtual workscape. Prolonged separation from in person meetings, …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Knowing Your Community Expectations Can Drive Sustainability Outcomes
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
The value of knowing your community expectations can drive sustainability outcomes. The University of Tasmania runs biennial student and staff sustainability surveys since 2016. Using the Sustainability Culture Indicator (SCI) …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Lightning Talks: Student Organizing & Activism
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Creighton University (NE)
- Harvard University (MA)
- Seattle University (WA)
This session consists of 3 15-minute Lightning Talk sessions related to student organizing and activism. The Lightning Talks are: Campus ESG: Development of Student-Run Sustainable Investing at Arizona State University …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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How to Create a Sustainable Virtual Event Certification Program
- Concordia University (IL)
- McGill University (QC)
- University of Manitoba (MB)
In the context of increasingly affordable (but not universal) access to digital equipment and technologies, virtual events have become more prevalent. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual events …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Graduate Studies: Where, Why, and How
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
- University of South Florida (FL)
Undergraduate students are welcome to attend a panel discussion about sustainability graduate studies. Learn more about the value of a graduate degree, ways to determine which program is the right …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Inspire Just & Sustainable Behaviors via Your Biggest Influencer: Sports
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- University of Southern California (CA)
- Wake Forest University (NC)
- Honeycomb Strategies (CO)
This session seeks to educate and inspire sustainability professionals to partner with their athletics departments to improve sustainability systems and motivate fans to enhance their personal sustainability behaviors at home, …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Engaging Students Beyond Individual Sustainability Action
- California State University, Fresno (CA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJ)
- Tufts University (MA)
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- University Mohammed VI Polytechnic
Students have boundless energy and passion, but often express frustration that many sustainability solutions place emphasis on individual action and/or their efforts do not make a significant impact on the …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Who is the Post-Landfill Action Network?
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
The Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) was founded in 2013, by a group of college students. These students witnessed a systemic waste problem on their campus and developed the first student-led, …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Small Actions, Massive Impact: Fighting Waste on Your Campus 101
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
Getting involved is a big step! This is an excellent session to attend if you are interested in starting a project to address waste systems on your campus but aren't …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Finding Your Point of Intervention
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
In the zero waste community, there’s been a longstanding debate about whether individual action vs. collective action prompts the most effective change. What is your stance? How do you contribute …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Alumni & Student Engagement: Building Relationships and Career Pathways
- Elon University (NC)
- University of Virginia (VA)
- Green LMN LLC (NJ)
Now, more than ever, students need support finding professional development opportunities and career pathways. Connecting alumni to students expands opportunities for students to engage in meaningful sustainability work and can …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Composting: Community Based Solutions to Food Waste & Climate Challenges
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Food loss and food waste are global challenges; an estimated 40% of food in the U.S. is wasted. Food waste is directly related to food insecurity, poverty, and the climate …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Greek Sustainability: Leveraging Change, Empowering Leaders
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Students have been organizing chapter houses to host a "Green Chair" or also popularly known as "Green Greek Reps". We will share our resources, strategy, and recent academic year's impact …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Augsburg University’s Local Food Initiative: Student-Designed, Locally-Sourced
- Augsburg University (MN)
In 2020, Augsburg University’s Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship launched Augsburg Local, a campaign to leverage Augsburg University’s purchasing power to support local businesses. Purchasing at Augsburg typically takes …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Creating a Sustainability Survey: From Development to Assessing Impact
- Yale University (CT)
Are you interested in gaining a better sense of the sustainability needs and interests of your community? Is your institution seeking points in STARS? In this session, the Yale Office …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Measuring the Perceptions of Sustainability Initiatives
- Texas State University, San Marcos (TX)
Our study collected the perceptions of sustainability initiatives at Texas State University from the campus community which includes, all faculty, staff, and students. This study will use the collected data …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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A Student-led Process for University Carbon Footprinting
- Michigan Technological University (MI)
Students at Michigan Technological University have been calculating the institution’s carbon footprint for over 20 years as part of a project-based academic course. We will share the contours of the …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Coping with Change: Responding to the Great Sustainability Resignation
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
How can we resiliently adapt and navigate a sustainable path forward for ourselves and our institutions? As baby boomers retire, COVID-inspired resignations soar, corporate sustainability hiring is on the rise, …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Twenty Years In: What Impact are Sustainability Peer Education Programs Making?
- Champlain College (VT)
- Tufts University (MA)
Since the founding of the first “Eco-Reps” program at Tufts University in 2001, many campuses created similar sustainability peer education programs. While there have been internal program evaluations of these …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Using Reflective Structured Dialogues (RSD) to Support STARS Collaboration and Performance
- Dallas College (TX)
Dallas College’s Sustainability Office will share how they use the tools and techniques of Reflective Structured Dialogues (RSD) to build effective communication and internal support for STARS reporting. The session …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Energy and carbon reduction - A total holistic approach by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has been actively implementing various energy reduction efforts to promote sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint. The university recognizes the importance of energy conservation and has …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Case Studies
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EarthFest 2023
- Cleveland State University (OH)
EarthFest is an annual event thrown by Cleveland State's Office of Sustainability. The mission of EarthFest is to celebrate Earth Day by engaging students, faculty and staff to create a …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Photographs
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Tiffany Jurge plans Soup and Substance collaboration with SCITC
- Central Michigan University (MI)
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College (MI)
Central Michigan University (CMU) presents Soup and Substance events through the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OIDEI) for students, faculty, staff and community members. Soup and Substance events …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Soup and Substance: Anishinaabek Food Sovereignty
- Central Michigan University (MI)
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College (MI)
Central Michigan University (CMU) presents Soup and Substance events through the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OIDEI) for students, faculty, staff and community members. Soup and Substance events …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Meghan VanDamme leads composting initiative at CMU
- Central Michigan University (MI)
Meghan VanDamme and Central Sustainability collaborated with Facilities Management and CMU Residence Life to erect a compost drop-off at Northwest Apartments. The drop-off promotes sustainability by offering an opportunity for …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Ava Brewer uses student-athletes as sustainability advocates for CMU
- Central Michigan University (MI)
Central Sustainability coordinator Ava Brewer created a video promoting sustainability at CMU using student-athletes as sustainability advocates. The video will play at football, men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, volleyball and …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Central Sustainability, CMU Professor Hope May and Cora di Brazza Foundation lead Peace Flag Raising at CMU
- Central Michigan University (MI)
On April 21, 2023, Central Sustainability, Central Michigan University Professor Hope May and the Cora di Brazza Foundation collaborated to present CMU’s annual Peace Flag Raising ceremony. This year, CMU …
- Posted May 15, 2023
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Diverting Food Waste and Educating the Campus Community with Solar Powered Compost Kiosks at Illinois State University
- Illinois State University (IL)
The Illinois State University Compost Kiosks provide a model for other institutions in diverting food waste and reducing single-use plastic while educating and engaging the campus community in the act …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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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.