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
If We’d Known Then: Lessons in Sustainability Engagement
- AASHE (MA)
- MacEwan University (AB)
- National Union of Students
In 2012 MacEwan University entered an unique and innovative partnership with the National Union of Students (NUS) to be the first non-UK university to run the award winning Green Impact ...
- Posted Aug. 23, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
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Campus bottled water bans, not always the solution
- Allegheny College (PA)
The purpose of this study was to identify how to reduce bottled water use on our campus, given that the majority of students were bringing it onto campus from outside ...
- Posted Aug. 6, 2018
- Publications
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Creating a water-saver self-identity reduces water use in residence halls
- James Madison University (VA)
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Water scarcity is a pressing social problem. Attempts to increase conservation that focus on education or attitudes produce limited success. Installing efficient appliances reduces water use, but can be costly ...
- Posted Aug. 6, 2018
- Publications
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Fair Trade Fair at Seattle University
- Seattle University (WA)
In 2015, Seattle University was the first University in the Pacific Northwest to be designated as a Fair Trade University, building awareness about Fair Trade and getting Fair Trade products ...
- Posted Aug. 3, 2018
- Photographs
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Accelerating Change through the President’s Sustainability Research Program
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar describes the President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship (PSRF) model, an innovative program at Swarthmore College that matches motivated students with staff and faculty mentors to research, develop, and ...
- Posted Aug. 2, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
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Environmental JustICE Cream Social - part 1
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
As the semester opens in early September, the Environmental Justice Initiative hosts an ice cream social that features a facilitated "speed networking" circle to connect students from across campus who ...
- Posted Aug. 2, 2018
- Photographs
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UMN Morris Native American Student Success (NASS) program
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
University of Minnesota Morris is the only four-year Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution in the Upper Midwest. Twenty-one percent of Morris students are Native American with 65 federally recognized tribes represented ...
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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Energy Research: Sustainability @ Dickinson
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson students and faculty conduct research that contributes to creating sustainable solutions to pressing problems of our times. Our research encompasses a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, ranging ...
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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Campus Engagement: The Handlebar- Dickinson's Bicycle Cooperative
- Dickinson College (PA)
The Biking@Dickinson initiative promotes sustainable transportation, builds community and provides biking education to the campus. Students can borrow bikes from the college, including Green Bike, refurbished by students in ...
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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Campus Engagement: Sustainability @ Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
- Dickinson College (PA)
The Hive, Dickinson's beekeeping cooperative, is our newest living laboratory. The Hive engages students, staff, and faculty in learning about sustainability problems and solutions through the direct experience of ...
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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Emory University adopted a Pollinator Protection Policy in 2014
- Emory University (GA)
Emory University adopted a comprehensive Pollinator Protection Policy in 2014, a first of its kind policy at U.S. colleges and universities that bans neonicotinoid application, plants pre-treated with neonicotinoids ...
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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Dickinson's Online Sustainability Dashboard
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson is monitoring our sustainability performance over time and holding ourselves accountable for advancing sustainability practices. Our online sustainability dashboard allows users to explore up to date performance metrics for ...
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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Colorado College Net-Zero Library
- Colorado College (CO)
Main entrance of Colorado College's net-zero energy/net-zero carbon Tutt Library. Sustainable features highlighted in the photo include a rain screen, open design and natural lighting, green roofs and ...
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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Colorado College Net-Zero Energy/Carbon Tutt Library
- Colorado College (CO)
Balcony view of Colorado College's net-zero energy/net-zero carbon Tutt Library. Highlighting rainscreen, shading structures, black locust domestic hardwoods, green roofs and planters, photovoltaic shade structures, and open views.
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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University of Dayton Energy GPA
- University of Dayton (OH)
The Energy GPA program provides students in University-owned student neighborhood houses with a grade of their monthly energy use. Monthly "report cards" include electricity and gas usage and a monthly ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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CU Boulder PIPs Rewards App
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
University of Colorado Boulder introduced the PIPs Rewards App in 2017-2018. The app tracks and rewards the ‘good’ one does everyday, such as riding the bus, biking, recycling, refilling water ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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College of the Atlantic SCI 2018 1
- College of the Atlantic (ME)
The College of the Atlantic Thoreau Environmental Leaders Initiative aims to cultivate effective advocates for renewable energy and climate change issues. Through speakers, workshops and events, the initiative provides a ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Connecticut College Lending Library
- Connecticut College (CT)
The Lending Library at Connecticut College allows students to rent a textbook at no cost for the duration of a course, and is an attempt to address the issue of ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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UC San Diego Sustainability Alumni Network members get a tour of Birch Aquarium on campus during alumni weekend in June 2018.
- University of California, San Diego (CA)
The Sustainability Alumni Network (SAN) at the University of California, San Diego was founded by the Sustainability Programs Office in May 2017 to bring together alumni who are working in ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Student Sustainability Educators at American University, 2017-2018
- American University (DC)
Student Sustainability Educators at American University engage the campus community in sustainability throughout the 2017-2018 academic year.
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Climate Change Commitment Wall
- American University (DC)
American University student signs chalkboard commitment wall to fight climate change.
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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![BYO[Bag] in use by students](https://storage.googleapis.com/hub-private/cache/d7/8a/d78abdcdc4660cf0bd6e8d97c4ef3818.jpg)
University of Pittsburgh BYO[Bag] Program
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
The University of Pittsburgh BYO[Bag] (Bring Your Own Bag) program launched through Pitt Housing & Dining in 2014 after more than five years of student initiatives to reduce plastic ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Penn's main, academic campus was accredited as a Level I ArbNet-certified Arboretum as of April 2017, and Level II in November 20107. The Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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University of Dayton Energy Team
- University of Dayton (OH)
Since its founding in 2016, the green revolving fund has funded over 30 projects. The completed projects have reduced emissions by 980 metric tonnes of CO2 (MTCO2) equivalent, or 1 ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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University of Dayton Composting Bins
- University of Dayton (OH)
Students in the University of Dayton Hanley Sustainability Institute built two 4’x6’ bins to compost campus food.
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Food Waste Composting Bin Construction
- University of Dayton (OH)
Student leaders in the University of Dayton Hanley Sustainability Institute work with campus Master Carpenter to build two 4’x6’ bins to compost campus food waste.
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Food Waste Composting Bin Construction
- University of Dayton (OH)
Student leaders in the University of Dayton Hanley Sustainability Institute are building two 4’x6’ bins to compost campus food waste.
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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University of Dayton Green Roof Installation
- University of Dayton (OH)
Kennedy Union Green roof
In September 2017, HSI, in collaboration with facilities management and Enterprise Roofing, led the installation of UD's first green roof on the Kennedy Union patio ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Edible Campus UNC Student Volunteers
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
Edible Campus UNC at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a program of the North Carolina Botanical Garden that incorporates edible, medicinal, and pollinator-friendly plants into existing landscapes ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Edible Campus UNC Student Volunteers
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
Edible Campus UNC at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a program of the North Carolina Botanical Garden that incorporates edible, medicinal, and pollinator-friendly plants into existing landscapes ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Edible Campus Garden at UNC Chapel Hill
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
Edible Campus UNC at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a program of the North Carolina Botanical Garden that incorporates edible, medicinal, and pollinator-friendly plants into existing landscapes ...
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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UMass Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
UMass Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign
- Posted July 26, 2018
- Photographs
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Student enjoys a plate filled with plant-based proteins at Rice University
- Rice University (TX)
Rice University's Housing and Dining department created an initiative called #ourplantbasedjourney to serve delicious plant-based proteins marketed to all students, not just those who self-identify as vegans or vegetarians ...
- Posted July 26, 2018
- Photographs
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From Farm to Fork at Rice University
- Rice University (TX)
Rice University chef Martin De Santiago shops for locally-sourced ingredients at the Rice University Farmers Market to use in a Farm-to-Fork dinner. The dinner was organized by the student club ...
- Posted July 26, 2018
- Photographs
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Farm to Fork Dinner, Spring 2018
- Rice University (TX)
Rice University student group Real Food Revolution teams with Rice's Housing and Dining department once a semester to host a Farm-to-Fork dinner, featuring a full menu of locally-sourced food ...
- Posted July 26, 2018
- Photographs
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UC Irvine Pump2Plug Program
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
University of California, Irvine’s Pump2Plug program facilitates the adoption of zero emission vehicles in Southern California by encouraging faculty and staff commuters to convert from fossil fuel vehicles to ...
- Posted July 26, 2018
- Photographs
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UC Irvine Pump2Plug Program
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
University of California, Irvine’s Pump2Plug program facilitates the adoption of zero emission vehicles in Southern California by encouraging faculty and staff commuters to convert from fossil fuel vehicles to ...
- Posted July 26, 2018
- Photographs
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Binghamton University's Neighborhood Heritage and Sustainability Project
- Binghamton University (NY)
Local residents decorate pumpkins at Binghamton University's Fall Festival, held at Walnut Street Park. This event is part of the Neighborhood Heritage and Sustainability project supported by Binghamton University ...
- Posted July 24, 2018
- Photographs
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University of Dayton Composting and Recycling Bins
- University of Dayton (OH)
The University of Dayton places composting and recycling bins outside dining facilities on campus to encourage composting and recycling and diverting “trash” from landfills.
- Posted July 24, 2018
- Photographs
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University of Dayton Student Neighborhood
- University of Dayton (OH)
The University of Dayton owns more than 400 residences in its student neighborhood. Launched in fall 2017, the Energy GPA program provides students in University-owned neighborhood housing with a grade ...
- Posted July 24, 2018
- Photographs
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Cascadia students and faculty inspire love for native soils on Wetlands Day!
- Cascadia College (WA)
Wetland's Day at Cascadia College Using our mobile classroom to teach interested passerby about our complex native soils
- Posted July 24, 2018
- Photographs
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Motivating and Quantifying the Impacts of Behavior Change
- Stanford University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
In today’s increasingly technological and individualized world, how do sustainability professionals provide opportunities to engage their audience in a way that is relevant to them, but still quantifies the ...
- Posted July 19, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
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Competency Assessment for Responsible Leadership (CARL)
- AACSB International (FL)
The Competency Assessment for Responsible Leadership (CARL) is a simple, free on-line assessment which builds a profile around 5 competency dimensions (Stakeholder relations; Ethics and values; Self-awareness; Systems thinking; and ...
- Posted July 5, 2018
- Tools
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Electricity and Water Conservation on College and University Campuses in Response to National Competitions among Dormitories: Quantifying Relationships between Behavior, Conservation Strategies and Psychological Metrics
- New York University (NY)
- Oberlin College (OH)
“Campus Conservation Nationals” (CCN) is a recurring, nation-wide electricity and water-use reduction competition among dormitories on college campuses. We conducted a two year empirical study of the competition’s effects ...
- Posted June 29, 2018
- Publications
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Sustainability leadership programs in higher education: alumni outcomes and impacts
- University of Michigan (MI)
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
- North Cascades Institute (WA)
The diverse set of college and university sustainability leadership programs, which represent a growing trend in higher education, share a common goal: building skills and knowledge for aspiring environmental and ...
- Posted June 28, 2018
- Publications
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University of Vermont Eco-Reps Greenride Bikeshare Campaign Case Study
- University of Vermont (VT)
In early April of 2018, Burlington, Vermont, and the University of Vermont campus welcomed Greenride, a pilot regional bikeshare. Though long in the works, there was little student awareness of ...
- Posted June 28, 2018
- Case Studies
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Evaluating Changes in Sustainability Culture: A Model for Universities and Other Organizations
- University of Michigan (MI)
Approaches to evaluating built environments are adaptable to environmentally-related programs. This chapter presents an overview of a multi-year project designed to monitor programs aimed at moving toward a culture of ...
- Posted June 28, 2018
- Publications
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Promoting Participation in a Culture of Sustainability Web Survey
- University of Michigan (MI)
The Sustainability Cultural Indicators Program (SCIP) at the University of Michigan is designed to measure and track the university’s progress (Callewaert and Marans 2017) in moving the campus community ...
- Posted June 28, 2018
- Publications
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Inclusive Sustainability: Environmental Justice in Higher Education
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate why and how efforts at UC Santa Cruz have begun to shift from sustainability as a technical, expert-oriented activity focused on aspects ...
- Posted June 28, 2018
- Publications
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Making Your Campus A Bee Campus USA Affiliate
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
- AASHE (MA)
- Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus (OR)
- The Xerces Society (OR)
While pollinators are imperative for the reproduction of 90% of the world’s wild plant species and three-quarters of crops, announcements of their national and global staggering declines seem relentless ...
- Posted June 21, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
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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.