Campus Engagement
Introduction
Engaging in sustainability issues through co-curricular activities allows students to deepen and apply their understandings of sustainability principles. Institution-sponsored co-curricular sustainability offerings, often coordinated by student affairs offices, help integrate sustainability into the campus culture and set a positive tone for the institution. Faculty and staff members’ daily decisions impact an institution’s sustainability performance. Equipping faculty and staff with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to adopt behavior changes that promote sustainability is an essential activity of a sustainable campus.
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The 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 begin. …
- 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 the amount …
- 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. Similarly …
- 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 model …
- 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 the …
- 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 available …
- 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 as …
- 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 a …
- 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 and …
- 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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Linking Difference, Defining Action: Sustainable Living on Campus
- University of Florida (FL)
The signing of institutional commitments by American colleges and universities to advance sustainability and become carbon-neutral parallels the trend seen in the last decade toward creating sustainable campus housing. Similar …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Living Green, Learning Green: Applying Green Values to Housing and Across the University
- University of South Carolina (SC)
At the University of South Carolina, applying green values across the campus is part of an attempt to transform not only the curriculum but also the daily lives of students …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Generating Campus-Wide Sustainability Innovation through Multiple Course Collaboration
- Western Illinois University (IL)
While campus sustainability initiatives are often motivated by students, these efforts can also begin as top-down strategic plans. In the latter case, how do post-secondary institutions engage their communities including …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Launching Web-Enabled, Real-Time, Energy Management Software in Campus Buildings at UBC
- AquaHealth, Inc.
This presentation will discuss the lessons learned in deploying an energy management software tool at the University of British Columbia. The University of British Columbia Sustainability Office partnered in the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Coalition Growth Model
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Students Act Now for Sustainability (SANS) is Arizona State University's new sustainability coalition whose goal is to build a base of sustainability in Arizona through action, outreach and education. SANS …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Flying Under the Radar: Quietly Transforming a Conservative Campus
- Auburn University (AL)
In 2004 Auburn University's sustainability task force received one-time funding for a demonstration sustainability initiative. Since then we have received year-to-year support for a "temporary" office. This presentation will discuss …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing Green
- Auburn University (AL)
An annual competition of design students from Industrial Design that collaborate on designing a more sustainable world of products. By looking at past competitions and using methods of design, This …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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One College's Grassroots Path to Sustainability
- Central Piedmont Community College (NC)
CPCC's Center for Sustainability will present a discussion on how the college developed its current program from a grassroots process into a major "go-to" center for environmental education. Our presentation …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Solutions Beyond Green: Feng Shui and Human Sustainability in Residence Halls
- College and University Feng Shui Initiative (MA)
Which bed position supports restful sleep? Which desk position promotes expansive thinking? In which room would you prefer to sleep and study? In which room shape would you prefer to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Dialogs in Green: Creating a Climate of Sustainability, Community, and Diversity at Colorado State University.
- Colorado State University (CO)
What is a climate of sustainability for a land grant institution's campus? Colorado State University is a land grant institution of 24,000 students located in the foothills of the Rocky …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Talking the Talk: The Role of University Communications in Creating an Institutional Identity of Sustainability at Drury University
- Drury University (MO)
Drury University has vigorously embraced a commitment to sustainability and emerged as an institutional leader in southwest Missouri, the Midwest and the nation for modeling sustainable operations, academic programs, and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Show Me the Money: Resources for Campus Sustainability Programs
- Ithaca College (NY)
How do you create a shared institutional understanding of and support for campus sustainability? How can you create "coalitions of the willing" to support curriculum development, campus operational modifications, and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Focusing Again: The National Teach-in on Global Warming Solutions
- Lewis & Clark College (OR)
February 2009 will be a watershed for the United States, and indeed, the planet. Decisions made in the first hundred days of the new congress will determine whether serious action …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Lynchburg College's Year of the Environment
- University of Lynchburg (VA)
The 2007-8 school year served as Lynchburg College's Year of the Environment, with a theme of "A Greener Tomorrow Today." This was the first time that an attempt had been …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Empowering Students to Create a Sustainable Future: The Role of Higher Education.
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
If colleges and universities are serious about empowering students to tackle the greatest challenges of our time, we must promote environmental literacy and responsibility and provide frequent opportunities for students …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Demonstrations Transform Higher Education and Beyond
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
Drawing on 5 years of experience designing and promoting college and university green residential demonstrations, session presenter from Strategic Energy innovations will illustrate how a modest project can facilitate a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Students Teaching Students (STS) Courses: Supporting Peer Education on Emerging Environmental Themes
- University of Vermont (VT)
Courses designed and taught by students on emerging environmental themes have been offered at the University of Vermont since 1985 through Environmental Studies. Students Teaching Students (STS) is presented as …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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How a Large Institution of Higher Learning can Impact Regional Growth on Sustainability Practices: Commercial Composting in the Pacific Northwest
- 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 faculty and staff. The Department of Housing and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bridging the Gap Between Sustainability and Justice
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- University of Vermont (VT)
- Hackman Consulting Group
CU Boulder's Environmental Center has been working to make the connections between sustainability and justice evermore clear while changing the campus conversation. With students, we spread awareness about eco-social justice …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Utilizing Community Based Social Marketing to Transform Sustainable Behavior
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- Oberlin College (OH)
- Portland Community College (OR)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Behavior change campaigns have the potential to be highly effective and quite inexpensive. But how do we know which behaviors to target and how to influence these behaviors? Four schools …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Gardens & Farms: A discussion of best practices for student and faculty engagement
- Portland Community College (OR)
Sustainable agriculture on campuses in the form of farms or gardens have their own unique challenges for student and faculty engagement. During this moderated networking session we will facilitate the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Learning Garden: Different Strategies for Student Engagement
- Portland Community College (OR)
This poster will visually guide you through Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus Learning Garden and the multiple ways we engage students in the garden. The Learning Garden functions as …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Natural Area Stewardship as Part of Campus Sustainability
Despite a growing body of evidence that spending time in nature through leisure, stewardship, and related activities is critical to the healthy development of humans and can lead to pro-environmental …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
- Publications
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Preaching to the Choir
- Baylor University (TX)
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: 97 percent of climate scientists agree that we are the main reason the planet is warming at an alarming rate and if we …
- Posted Feb. 24, 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.