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
The Educational Energy Audit - Combining Student Learning & Energy Efficiency
- Wilson College (PA)
In October, 2009, The Loyalton Group, energy consulting partner for Sodexo and their clients, conducted an energy audit at Wilson College, in Chambersburg, PA. Beyond the regular energy audit and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Ridesharing for the Facebook Generation
- Zimride (CA)
While the benefits of carpooling & ridesharing have been clear for decades -
travelers find affordable rides, drivers share the high cost of gas, and
campuses reduce congestion, parking demand and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Sustainable Learning Community: The University of New Hampshire
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
In this presentation, staff from the University of New Hampshire's University Office of Sustainability (UOS) -- the oldest endowed sustainability program in American higher education -- will share from their perspective ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bridging the Gap: Finding Common Ground for Sustainability with EH&S and Facilities
- University of Connecticut (CT)
- University of Vermont (VT)
- Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence (MA)
Greening campus operations requires development of a partnership among sustainability, facilities, and EHS compliance professionals. To be effective, this partnership must bridge a significant culture gap. On one side of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The East Carolina University & Pitt Community College Partnership in the North Carolina Sustainable Building Design Competition: A Catalyst for Team-Building and Sustainable Learning
- East Carolina University (NC)
The North Carolina Sustainable Building Design Competition (NCSBDC) has engaged teams of students from UNC 4-year institutions and community colleges in the design of sustainable residential structures annually since 2001 ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Providing Pomona Students with Line Drying Options: Changing Behavior and Reducing Energy Use One Sock at a Time
- Pomona College (CA)
In Spring 2008, Pomona College began two projects to give students the opportunity to line dry their clothes. The first project was the installation of eight large, high-quality drying racks ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Leadership in Campus Sustainability
- Northland College (WI)
Northland College successfully addresses issues of transportation, food, recycling and reuse, and energy conservation through student-led projects. Active student involvement in campus operations has been key to sustainability innovation at ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Engaging Students in Campus Sustainability Initiatives through Innovative Courses
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Universities that strive to make their campuses more sustainable face challenges of curriculum reform and engaging their students in sustainability initiatives. At Loyola University Chicago (LUC), we are meeting both ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Campus Wide Academic Sustainability Initiative at Dalhousie University
- Dalhousie University (NS)
Global concern for environment and sustainability is growing and new ways of thinking are needed to create solutions to the challenges we face. The Dalhousie University College of Sustainability is ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Community Energy Connection
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
CU Community Energy Connections (CEC) is a collaboration between the CU Environmental Center's Energy Program and the CU Environmental Justice Steering Committee. The CEC focuses on social justice and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Sustainability Participation and Policies by Operational Units
- University of Nevada Las Vegas (NV)
The focus of this research is the impact of mid-level operational decision makers and research faculty (MLD-RF) on campus sustainability initiatives. MLD-RF have technical expertise and a leadership role in ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Metabolism - A Visual Education and Awareness Tool Supporting Conservation
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Arizona State University recognizes the importance of providing relevant information to engage their community as agents of change in its sustainability mission. The Campus Metabolism project is an effort to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building Collaborations Leading to Campus Sustainability: Bridgewater State University Center for Sustainability
- Bridgewater State University (MA)
The Center for Sustainability at Bridgewater State University (BSC) fosters the study and application of sustainable practices both on campus and throughout the region. The Center was developed as a ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Maximizing Student, Staff, and Faculty Synergies: The University of British Columbia SEEDS Program
- University of British Columbia (BC)
This presentation describes an award winning "greening the campus" program. SEEDS is the first academic program in Western Canada that brings together students, faculty, and staff to collaborate on developing ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Case Study: Engaging Pomona College Students in an ACUPCC Climate Action Plan
- Pomona College (CA)
- Sasaki Associates, Inc. (MA)
- CTG Energetics, Inc. (CA)
As colleges and universities embark on a comprehensive inventory of greenhouse gas emissions for the ACUPCC, they are faced with creating a process that will accurately assess the campus' energy ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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NWF's Campus Environment 2008 National Survey Findings
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
It has been seven years since NWF Campus Ecology's last national survey, and much has changed in the landscape of campus environmental programs and practices. In early 2008, the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Framing Sustainability using a Range of "Traditionally Conservative" approaches
- Auburn University (AL)
Given the relatively short time frame needed to gather support for sustainability and pressing concerns such as climate change, rapid buy-in from many sectors of society is needed, not just ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Teaching Sustainability Using an On-Farm Community Supported Agriculture framework
- New Mexico State University (NM)
An organic garden operated as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) venture at New Mexico State University (NMSU) was used as the framework for teaching sustainability concepts. The CSA model of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Little Things that Administrators can do
- University of Idaho (ID)
Greening a campus is often viewed as accomplished through high profile intitatives that are based on campus-wide changes. As a dean at two different institutions I've found that the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Institutionalizing Sustainability Across Your Campus
- Williams College (MA)
Across the nation, in many institutions, sustainability directorships are being created but the path to developing a truly sustainable campus is unclear. Without direct reporting lines to many of the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Planning to Move Beyond Climate-neutral: Supporting Students in Catalyzing Change.
- University of British Columbia (BC)
The need for comprehensive, integrated climate action is offering new avenues for collaboration and the formation of new partnerships. Nowhere is this more visible than on campuses, where collaboration among ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability In Action
- University of Missouri, Kansas City (MO)
A case-study of the University Of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC) Sustainability Initiatives. Included are areas of Waste Reduction Strategies, Energy Management,Green Purchasing,Transportation,Grounds Management,Green Buildings, Funding, Education ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Peer to Peer Sustainability Outreach Programs: From A to Z
- Barnard College (NY)
- Bowdoin College (ME)
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
- University of Vermont (VT)
Student outreach is a goal of many sustainability programs. One model, using the peer to peer education approach, attempts to broaden the reach to all residential students. Often known as ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Price of Reduction: A Comparative Analysis of the Cost-Benefit Perceptions of Reduction Initiatives
- Chatham University (PA)
This research contrasts the perceived benefits and costs of implementing two reduction initiatives (plastic bottle ban, pesticide ban) as perceived by key constituencies (students, faculty, administration). The two initiatives provide ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The 4.0 Initiative: An Action Plan for Sustainable Living on College Campuses
- Daemen University (NY)
College students have the power to change the way people think about the environment and sustainability, but many students do not yet realize this or aren't sure where to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Campus Certification
- Sierra Youth Coalition (QC)
The Sustainable Campuses is a Sierra Youth Coalition (SYC) initiative that works to assist, empower and network college and university students working to make their schools more sustainable. Sustainable Campuses ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Furman University's Environmental Community of Students (ECOS)
- Furman University (SC)
In 2006 Furman University began its Environmental Community of Students (ECOS) Engaged Living program in which incoming, environmentally minded, first year students choose to live together and take two introductory ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Furman University Green Guide to Sustainable Living
- Furman University (SC)
Furman University has committed to establishing itself as a national environmental sustainability leader among college and university campuses. The university has been very proactive in supporting sustainability efforts on campus ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Growing Relationships Through Composting: A University Case Study
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
The University of Washington is a public, four-year institution with a 40,000 student enrollment. The campus population also includes more than 30,000 staff. In an effort to reduce ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making it Personal: Targeted Outreach Climate Change and Energy Conservation
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
It's no surprise that students are more likely to take action on climate change if they understand it in the context of issues that affect and interest them personally ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Engaging Staff in Campus Sustainability
- George Mason University (VA)
- University of Utah (UT)
- Yale University (CT)
Traditionally, students have been the advocates for and initiators of environmental actions on college and university campuses. Increasingly however, staff members are engaging in the challenge of reducing the environmental ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Can Real-Time Dashboard Displays of Resource Use in Buildings and across campus facilities be used to build a community and a culture of stewardship?
- Oberlin College (OH)
- Atrius (CA)
In recent years many colleges and universities have undertaken comprehensive technological and management initiatives to improve campus energy and material use efficiency. Many schools have also undertaken educational programs designed ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Blueprint for University Campuses as Living Learning Laboratories of Sustainability
- Oberlin College (OH)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
What role should higher education institutions play in implementing campus sustainability? Is it transforming campus facilities to become more sustainable or is it transforming the curriculum to incorporate sustainability principles ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Warm Data, Cool Earth or Unplug to Keep the Polar Bear Happy
- Dartmouth College (NH)
Faculty and students at Dartmouth College have created an animated real-time energy display system to encourage students to reduce electric use through behavior changes. What is unique about this system ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Assessing the Eco-Cottage Legacy at Furman University
- Furman University (SC)
Since 2001, Furman University's 8-person Eco-Cottage has provided students the opportunity to measure their environmental impact and learn ways to minimize it. Started experimentally, the cottage has become a ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Tire Pressure Checks to Educate Students about Fuel Efficiency, Car Maintenance and Safety
- Furman University (SC)
Like most colleges, Furman University experiences a mass exodus of students during breaks such as Thanksgiving and at the end of the Academic year. One of the easiest ways to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Attitudes and Behaviors of Incoming Freshmen at Juniata College
- Juniata College (PA)
Juniata College has been administering an environmental attitudes survey to incoming freshmen since 2005. The objective of the survey is to document students' attitudes and behaviors towards environmental issues. The ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability at Missouri State University: A Public Affair
- Missouri State University (MO)
Missouri State University has a State wide Mission of "Public Affairs". Over the past several years, that mission has been explored through a Public Affairs Conference and various themes. In ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Activating Student Involvement: One Student's Journey from Bystander to Sustainability Leader
- University of Utah (UT)
As a student, finding a niche on a commuter campus with an enrollment of over 27,000 is no easy task. It is easier to simply blend in and follow ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Use of a Wiki Site to Promote Sustainable Actions Among Students
- Utah State University (UT)
Utah State University's new Sustainability Council created an educational website. Wanting to engage students rather than simply educate them, we added a wiki component to the website using freely ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Maximizing Student Action on Campus
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Higher education institutions have been home to some of the most significant movements in history. Students recognize that there is strength in numbers and want to use their knowledge to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Beyond Recycling: Oureach and Education Across Campus
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
At Eastern Connecticut State University, we are committed to developing a culture of awareness with regard to recycling and environmental ethics. The Center for Sustainable Energy Studies works closely with ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Furman Sustainable Agriculture Project
- Furman University (SC)
At a small liberal arts school in upstate South Carolina, a quarter acre garden of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers is being cultivated and promises to be integral to Furman ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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We All Have a Part to Play: The Influence of Multiple Stakeholders on the Path to Operational Sustainability at Michigan State University
- Michigan State University (MI)
Michigan State University is working to become a leader in sustainability initiatives among land grant universities in the United States. As part of that effort, there are multiple campus-based groups ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Being Spartan Green at MSU
- Michigan State University (MI)
Want to mobilize a sustainable movement on your campus? We invite you to participate in a presentation that can help you get your campus moving onward or take your current ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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North Carolina State University: Accomplishments and Commitments during the Year of Energy
- North Carolina State University (NC)
The administration at NC State University declared the 2008-9 academic year as the "Year of Energy." During the year, the University is accelerating the pace of moving towards the sustainable ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student-Powered Sustainability at Pacific Lutheran University
- Pacific Lutheran University (WA)
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) has taken up its role in the environmental movement by fostering environmental education as well as promoting environmental responsibility. One of PLU's most vital facets ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Starting a Successful, Student Organization for Sustainability.
- Philadelphia University (PA)
Philadelphia University is a private, coed, regionally accredited school with 4-5 year degrees in the six different schools of, Science, Architecture, Design/Media, Engineering/ Textiles, and Liberal Arts. We have ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UCSC Sustainability Assessment
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
The 2007 UCSC Sustainability Assessment was created to assess UCSC's current standing in sustainability and where UCSC could use improvement. This poster showcases the Assessment by explaining the process ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Recycling During Student Move In and Move Out
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Student Move In and Move Out are both times of heavy waste generation on most college campuses. The University of Colorado at Boulder has developed a means to divert tons ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 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.