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
Enhancing Students’ Environmental Skills Through A Solid Waste Sustainability Hub
- University of South Alabama (AL)
The objective of this project is to establish a solid waste sustainability hub that promotes environmental stewardship and education by focusing on waste reduction, recycling, reuse, and rethinking. A team ...
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Case Studies
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Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
UNL celebrated Arbor Day with two tree plantings on both city and east campuses. UNL has a strong history of sustainable tree management and was one of the first universities ...
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Earthstock Block Party at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
UNL's Association of Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN) student government hosted the ninth annual Earthstock celebration throughout the month of April. Earthstock is a month-long celebration of ...
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Northwestern Bird Watching Walk
- Northwestern University (IL)
The campus community was invited to join in experiencing the birds that call our campus home as well as those migrating through. An introduction to bird watching and some tips ...
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Climate in the Classroom: Bell Tower Takeover
- Temple University (PA)
Climate in the Classroom: Bell Tower Takeover was a special Earth Month event hosted by the Temple University Office of Sustainability, the Office of the Provost and select student and ...
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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2023 Iowa State University Earth Day Celebration
- Iowa State University (IA)
Iowa State University celebrated the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day with the theme of, “The Opportunity is NOW! The Urgency is NOW!” This year, more than 400 students, faculty, staff ...
- Posted May 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Endicott College's Environmental Justice Working Group
- Endicott College (MA)
The Environmental Justice Working Group at Endicott College was established in 2023 by Sophia Gosselin-Smoske, a student at Endicott College and a Fellow in the Office of Sustainability. The group ...
- Posted April 27, 2023
- Case Studies
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Waste Diversion at University of Florida- Case of a student organization
- University of Florida (FL)
I am Ashpreet Kaur, final year PhD student at University of Florida. I got a chance to become a member of a student organization at University of Florida who does ...
- Posted April 27, 2023
- Case Studies
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Stan State Eco Challenge 2023
- California State University, Stanislaus (CA)
During Earth Month, Stan State University's Capital Projects & Facilities Management (CPFM) part-takes annually in Eco Challenge! Here is our stat during Earth Day! As a team we practice ...
- Posted April 24, 2023
- Photographs
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Waste Diversion at Creighton Softball Game
- Creighton University (NE)
Hattie Ames and Gabby Otero are helping Creighton fans divert their waste from the landfill.
- Posted April 21, 2023
- Photographs
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2018-22 Progress Report on the Pitt Sustainability Plan
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
The University of Pittsburgh’s sustainability journey dates back to 1990, with commitments, activities, and engagement deepening and increasing over the past three decades. In 2018, the Pitt Sustainability Plan ...
- Posted April 18, 2023
- Publications
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Adopt-a-Plant sponsored by ArtCenter College of Design Community Food Garden
- ArtCenter College of Design (CA)
The ArtCenter College of Design Community Garden remained active throughout the Pandemic through the tremendous care of two Photography Department staff. With students, staff, and faculty back on campus, we ...
- Posted April 18, 2023
- Photographs
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ReWear It Marquette
- Marquette University (WI)
Student-led monthly clothing swap organization on Marquette University's campus.
- Posted April 18, 2023
- Case Studies
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The Interdisciplinary Turn: A New Model for Climate Crisis Awareness and Action in Higher Education
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar takes participants through the process of designing a successful, effective climate crisis awareness and action week at their own institutions, schools, or groups, using the tUrn partners + headliners ...
- Posted April 18, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Students leading students: a qualitative study exploring a student-led model for engagement with the sustainable development goals
- University of Calgary (AB)
Purpose Higher education institutions (HEI) play a critical role in developing student leaders equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to mobilize societal changes that the United Nations Sustainable Development ...
- Posted April 13, 2023
- Publications
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Implementing Sustainability in Library Instruction: The Journey to Creating a Crowdsourced Mission Statement Informed by Positionalities and Core Values
- New Mexico State University (NM)
This chapter shares the process and rationale behind a library workshop with the Reference and Research Services Department and Archives and Special Collections Department at the New Mexico State University ...
- Posted April 13, 2023
- Publications
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Shifting Instruction for Sustainability: Lessons from COVID
- New Mexico State University (NM)
The COVID-19 pandemic irrevocably changed the ways that libraries function. Libraries had to shift and our skills as librarians and educators were put to the test in new ways. As ...
- Posted April 13, 2023
- Publications
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Fullerton Arboretum Fights Food Insecurity While Helping the Environment
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Fullerton Arboretum, a 26-acre botanical garden located at Cal State Fullerton, is making a difference in the campus and environment…and it all starts with fruit.
The Arboretum grows an ...
- Posted April 13, 2023
- Photographs
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Building a Circular Campus: Scope 3 Emissions, Community Resilience, & Justice
- Barnard College (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
As Barnard College defines a pathway to net zero emissions, we are paying particular attention to our Scope 3 emissions and using the principles of circularity to address them. Measuring ...
- Posted March 9, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Obstacles to Environmental Progress: A US Perspective
- Austin College (TX)
Open-access (free) book from University College London Press. The primary intended audiences are undergraduate and graduate students in environmental studies, sustainability, and related fields. The book focuses on predictable, practical ...
- Posted March 6, 2023
- Publications
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Integrating Sustainability Plans and Capital Campaigns
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- AASHE (MA)
Taking sustainability to the next level, for many higher education institutions, requires a strategic, long-range, and comprehensive sustainability plan. The process by which you develop content, engage the campus community ...
- Posted March 1, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Environmental Justice in Higher Education: From Intent to Sustainable Action
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- Princeton University (NJ)
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar will trace shifts in the traditional framing of sustainability in higher education and how it is implemented, following the recent racial reckoning in the wake of the killing ...
- Posted Feb. 16, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Eddy at New Paltz: Centering Racial Equity as we Co-create a Sustainable Culture
- State University of New York at New Paltz (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
Sustainability has expanded to include issues of racial equity in a way that also embraces the interdisciplinarity of academic study. This webinar will introduce Eddy at New Paltz, a co-creative ...
- Posted Feb. 8, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Directory of Programs that Save Leftover Food After Events
- University of California, Merced (CA)
There has been increasing interest in programs which address leftover food at events. As the coordinator of one such program, No Food Left Behind, I receive regular inquiries from other ...
- Posted Feb. 6, 2023
- Tools
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Imagining the Future of Campus Food Service and Measuring Success
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Texas Woman's University (TX)
- AASHE (MA)
Food does not loom large enough in university sustainability metrics given its outsized role in achieving the SDGs. With increasing recognition that transforming food systems is critical for climate resiliency ...
- Posted Feb. 2, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Bucknell 10-Years Sustainability Plan
- Bucknell University (PA)
January 18th 2023, President John Bravman formally announced the release of the 10-year Sustainability Plan for Bucknell University. According to President Brvaman,
"Caring for the environment and reducing waste remains ...
- Posted Feb. 2, 2023
- Publications
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Fullerton Arboretum Achieves Reaccreditation at Highest Level
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
In October 2017, Fullerton Arboretum received its first accreditation as a Level IV arboretum. This is the highest level awarded by ArbNet, an organization that recognizes arboreta from around the ...
- Posted Jan. 24, 2023
- Photographs
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Sustainable Move Out Donation Program
- Bentley University (MA)
Give ‘N Go Move Out Program at Bentley University Fall 2022 Update
Summary: Give ‘N Go is the Bentley program to support students during move out with the opportunity to ...
- Posted Jan. 3, 2023
- Publications
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Webinar #3: Inner Development Goals: A Three-part Exploration
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
Many of us are familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This three-part Community of Practice (Nov. 15, Nov. 29, Dec. 13) will allow us to space to explore the ...
- Posted Dec. 14, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
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Native American Heritage Month Celebrates Empowerment Through Education
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month at Cal State Fullerton means learning about the communities, histories and traditions that have shaped today’s landscape.
Beyond empowering the Native American and Indigenous ...
- Posted Nov. 29, 2022
- Photographs
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Solving Climate Change Problems: CSUF Presents Energy and Sustainability Summit
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
More than 100 people packed the room at Cal State Fullerton’s first Energy and Sustainability Summit, held Oct. 26.
The summit, sponsored by Edison International, featured three panels of ...
- Posted Nov. 21, 2022
- Photographs
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Sustainability Policies and Plans in Higher Education: Recommendations for Florida State University
- Florida State University (FL)
This capstone project examines how higher education institutions (HEIs) use policies and plans to institutionalize their commitments to sustainability and the key success factors that influence their implementation. A systematic ...
- Posted Nov. 10, 2022
- Publications
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Webinar: Assessing Sustainability Literacy & Culture: Innovations & Lessons Learned by Multiple Institutions
- Ramapo College of New Jersey (NJ)
- University of Southern California (CA)
- Weber State University (UT)
- Williams College (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
This interactive panel discussion will feature four presenters from different geographic regions (eastern and western United States) and institutional contexts (private and public, and from small liberal arts colleges to ...
- Posted Oct. 4, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
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Webinar: Innovations in Teaching Sustainable Consumption in Higher Education
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- AASHE (MA)
- Wageningen University
- University of Leeds (West Yorkshire)
- University of East Anglia
- University of Geneva
The goal of sustainability will not be achievable without changes in our consumption. In consumption, sustainability challenges appear like in a burning glass; here, it can be exemplarily shown how ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
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Food Justice Fellowships - Rooted in Community
- Saint Mary's College of California (CA)
Food insecurity is defined as the state of being without reliable access to sufficient affordable and nutritious food. Food insecurity in the San Francisco Bay Area (and our state, country ...
- Posted Sept. 20, 2022
- Case Studies
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Driving Change: Understanding Climate Impacts on Campus Transportation
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (MD)
- AASHE (MA)
The continental United States is experiencing an increase in the frequency and intensity of precipitation events which often lead to flooding. In the state of Maryland, between 2006 and 2020 ...
- Posted Sept. 1, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
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TRU Campus Tree Program: What We Learned From Year One
- Thompson Rivers University (BC)
The TRU Sustainability Office started the new TRU Campus Tree Program in September 2021 as a one year pilot. The program was designed to allow members of the TRU community ...
- Posted Sept. 1, 2022
- Case Studies
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University and Community Open Forum
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
This picture is of an event, E2S Climate Hub: Paths toward Sustainable and Just Engagement open forum at Green Era Campus on April 8th with community partners and University of ...
- Posted Aug. 26, 2022
- Photographs
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2022 EarthFest at the University of Maryland, College Park
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
Sustainability-minded students at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) hosted an Earth Day festival in 2022. EarthFest 2022 invited student sustainability leaders and volunteers from more than twenty groups ...
- Posted Aug. 15, 2022
- Photographs
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Ariel view of students forming the state of California
- University of California, Merced (CA)
Ariel view of students forming California State
- Posted Aug. 4, 2022
- Photographs
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Climate Action Exhibition
- American University of Sharjah (Ash Shariqah)
As part of developing AUS' Climate Action Plan (CAP) an exhibition was held to engage the entire AUS community. The exhibition explained the main focal points of the CAP, which ...
- Posted Aug. 4, 2022
- Photographs
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Fullerton Arboretum
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Mission: The mission of Fullerton Arboretum is to support the academic mission of CSUF with a world class living and historical collection and to provide learning opportunities for every stage ...
- Posted Aug. 4, 2022
- Photographs
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Mercedes Dorame: Ancestors Leading the Stars ‘Eyoohiinkem He’uuk Shishyoota
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
RECEPTION | Saturday, September 18, 2021 12:00 – 4:00 PM (Public reception)
Ancestors Leading the Stars - ‘Eyoohiinkem He’uuk Shishyoota is an installation by artist Mercedes Dorame and it explores ...
- Posted Aug. 4, 2022
- Photographs
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Kim Abeles: Smog Collectors, 1987–2020
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION Kim Abeles: Smog Collectors, 1987-2020, at the Begovich Gallery will be the first time this seminal series is shown in its entirety. The exhibition features thirty years ...
- Posted Aug. 3, 2022
- Photographs
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Tuffy's Basic Needs Services
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Tuffy’s Basic Needs Services Center identifies and serves students who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship, emergency, crisis, or catastrophic life event.
The resources offered by this comprehensive endeavor are ...
- Posted Aug. 3, 2022
- Photographs
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UCI Images for SCI
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
Image options for UCI's feature in the SCI.
- Posted Aug. 2, 2022
- Photographs
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UMN Morris student recycling cardboard at campus recycling center
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
UMN Morris students staff the Recycling Center. The picture shows a UMN Morris student breaking down boxes before they are compressed and stored for future recycling.
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Electric bike collaboration between UMN Morris and Regional Fitness Center
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
UMN Morris student (August Bushy) and Regional Fitness Center staff member (Clare Sorensen) show the two electric bikes available for college students and community members to ride.
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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University of New Hampshire: B Impact Clinic
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
B Impact Clinic - Launched in 2019 by the University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute, the B Impact Clinic gathers teams of undergraduate students from different areas of study to serve ...
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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University of Sydney technology spin-off Gelion delivers smart solar benches on campus
- University of Sydney (NSW)
SCI 2022
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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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.