Coordination & Planning
Introduction
Staff and other resources help an institution organize, implement, and publicize sustainability initiatives. These resources provide the infrastructure that fosters sustainability within an institution. Sustainability planning affords an institution the opportunity to clarify its vision of a sustainable future, establish priorities and help guide budgeting and decision making.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Transitioning Sustainability/STARS Data Into Institutional Data
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The AASHE STARS program has given sustainability directors and coordinators a great tool to legitimize their efforts in diverse and hard-to-reach corners of campus operations and academia. For many colleges …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Staff Sustainability Literacy - Developing the Training Module
- Arizona State University (AZ)
An informed staff is a key component for the successful implementation of a comprehensive sustainability practices vision. In today's work environment, a university often requires fire safety training, defensive driving …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Future Planning for a Sustainable Campus
- Arup (NY)
Colleges and universities operate like cities at a much smaller scale. They are faced with similar complexities such as providing their communities with an appropriate housing mix, green spaces and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Down to Zero: a 5-part strategy to achieve your GHG reduction goals at any scale
- Arup (NY)
A "green" reputation is increasingly seen as a differentiator for schools to attract funding, faculty, staff and students. 66% of college applicants search for information on a prospective school's commitment …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability and Facilities, Friends Not Foes: A Case Study of the Babson Approach to Collaboration
- Babson College (MA)
This presentation is a case study of the working relationship between facilities and the sustainability office at Babson College.
For many sustainability directors, the Facilities department is a foe rather …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The LEED Payback
- Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (PA)
Designing new laboratory space to meet the demands of the 21st century can be a daunting planning and programming challenge due to unique and somewhat rigid technical standards. When the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The LEED Payback: How Research Laboratories at Yale, Smith and Dartmouth Achieved Substantial Cost Savings
- Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (PA)
Designing new laboratory space to meet the demands of the 21st century can be a daunting planning and programming challenge due to their particular and somewhat rigid technical standards. When …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Administrative Integration of Sustainability Across University Functions: A Case Study of Bowling Green State University
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
Holistic approaches to building sustainable universities, including the education of its students and broader community, require integration among functional areas with few traditional connections. Comprehensive institutional programs face challenges from …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Multi-phased Evaluation of Occupant Perception of Sustainable Buildings as Measured by LEED®
- Bryant University (RI)
There is a need for the proliferation of sustainable buildings and for enhanced strategies to attract customers to such an initiative. This study presents the results of a multi-phased study …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Dynamic Dashboard and Campus Design Platform
- Buro Happold (NY)
The platform is a web-based 3-D city performance visualization and analysis program; an interactive dashboard of portfolio performance and conceptual strategy development. It visualizes large amounts of building/portfolio performance data …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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STARS Introductory Workshop
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
This workshop will focus on sharing basic information about the STARS Program. Join the STARS staff in exploring details of STARS like programmatic development, the STARS Governance Structure, and the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Hospitality Symposium: Central California Coast Community Partnership Links "new" Event Standards to Economic Development
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
A new model for collaboration under the umbrella of the Institute of Innovation and Economic Development (IIED) was used to create a robust conference. Participants included: five different colleges, government …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Practices of a Campus Grounds Department: Utililizing Technology to Improve Stewardship
- Calvin University (MI)
The Grounds Department of our Institution has taken the initiative over the last 10 years to adopt sustainable practices that incorporate our mandate for creation care with the desire for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Pittsburgh Climate Initiative In Review
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
The Pittsburgh Climate Initiative (PCI) is a collaborative effort designed to lead Pittsburgh's residents, businesses, government, and institutions of higher learning in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Pittsburgh …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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An integrated Sustainability Model for Online Campuses: Communication, Outreach, and Mapping
- CHA (NY)
Campus sustainability is a newly emerging theme. While there are plethora of activities, programs and projects planned and implemented at site in different campuses, the concept, role and technique of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Business Coordinators: Regional Collective Impacts
- Chatham University (PA)
A growing number of businesses around the world and in Southwestern Pennsylvania have appointed Sustainability Officers/Coordinators, mirroring the successes of such positions being established at universities.
To meet the professional …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A New Era in Campus Climate Action: Dynamic Online Inventory and Planning Tools
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Standardized measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions has played an important role in advancing the ability of higher education as a sector to provide leadership on the issue of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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CHEFS: Estimating Life Cycle GHG Emissions from Campus Dining Services and Contributing to Vital Research
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Clean Air-Cool Planet created CHEFS, or Charting Emissions from Food Services, to help institutions estimate emissions from the entire life cycle of food they serve, from farm to campus. CHEFS …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energizing Sustainability on Campus Through Student Action
- Concordia College (NY)
How can students energize sustainability efforts when their institution's administration shows only lukewarm support for sustainability? As co-chairs of our college's Student Environmental Alliance, we have worked over the past …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cuyahoga Community College's Sustainability Plan - Working Towards Implementation
- Cuyahoga Community College (OH)
A Community College has just completed its Sustainability Plan. We've been working hard at energy conservation measures since 2000 merely as cost saving measures and now have support for our …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustaining Student Service at DePaul University
- DePaul University (IL)
At DePaul University, service to our academic community and beyond is the cornerstone of our urban, Catholic and Vincentian mission. Priding ourselves on our ability to put the student at …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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University at Buffalo Climate Action Plan: Addressing the Challenges of Sustainable Expansion
- Ecology and Environment, Inc. (NY)
The University at Buffalo (UB) is in the process of transformation through the design, development, and implementation of the UB 2020 plan. As outlined in the UB 2020 strategy, and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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EcoCommons establishes Ecological Performance for entire campus, provides distinctive sense of identify, place, sustainability
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
In the higher education arena, our institute has one of the most advanced and forward-thinking sets of building standards for environmental stewardship, sustainable design, and energy management. Strategically, sustainability is …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Smart Growth Strategy realizes Green Honors and becomes an Immersive Sustainability Master Plan
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
In the higher education arena, our institute has one of the most advanced and forward-thinking sets of building standards for environmental stewardship, sustainable design, and energy management. The 1997 Campus …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Achieving Climate Neutrality by Building Local Partnerships: Local & High Quality Offset Purchasing
- Green Mountain College (VT)
Green Mountain College provides its students with opportunities to explore the meaning and significance of climate neutrality and encourages students to be engaged in the process of helping the College …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability, Science, and Civic Engagement: The SENCER Approach
- Hartwick College (NY)
Sustainability offers academic institutions a wonderful opportunity to embrace a "big idea" that transcends disciplinary boundaries, integrates curricular and co-curricular activities with campus operations, and promotes real-world problem solving through …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Sustainability Assessment System from Asia
- Hokkaido University (Hokkaido)
The Alternative University Appraisal (AUA) project aims to provide an alternative assessment system for colleges and universities and create a learning community to advance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Hokkaido …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Next Steps in Sustainability Internship Program Development: Recruitment, Support, Mentorship, Increased Efficiency and Program Evaluation
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
In 2007, the Task Force on Sustainability established the Internship Program in Sustainability. Utilizing campus as a living laboratory, the program enlists undergraduate and graduate students in research and implementation …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing An Edible Campus: Using the Charrette Framework to Create a Campus-Wide Initiative
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
During the spring of 2011, a three part design series entitled, "Designing An Edible Campus" was conducted using the framework outlined by the National Charrette Institute. Most commonly, a charrette …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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From Policies to Practice: Moving Departments to the Digital Realm.
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
In academic environments, unnecessary paper use has significant environmental and economic impacts. With advances in technology, there are growing opportunities for reducing printing in the future. Existing paper documentation, however, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing An Energy Management Strategy for Campus Residence Halls: The View from the Trenches
- James Madison University (VA)
Residence halls can account for significant proportions of campus energy use. Strategically managing this building portfolio is a challenge, and encompasses behavioral, operational, and technical management. This paper reports on …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Case Study: Measuring and Assessing Sustainability at Lakeland Community College
- Lakeland Community College (OH)
This case study explores the value associated with conducting a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System Assessment and Greenhouse Gas Inventory to identify the opportunities, challenges, and resources necessary to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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2% through behavior: The Inside Scoop on one College's Ambitious Energy Conservation Goal
- Luther College (IA)
In addition to aggressive energy efficiency upgrades, one small college has committed to reducing energy consumption 2%/year through behavior change. This is am ambitious goal, but through creative programming and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Student Worker Network
- Macalester College (MN)
The initiative for sustainability at Macalester College took an unusual institutional turn in 2008, with the formation of the Sustainability Student Worker Network. The Network is a working group composed …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Zero Waste at Macalester College
- Macalester College (MN)
To fulfill Macalester College's Zero Waste by 2020 goal, Macalester College has completed a waste sort, developed a work plan for the college, as well as developed a vermiculture pilot …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Who's Responsible for My Waste - Part II
- Missouri University of Science and Technology (MO)
Effects of Changing Behavior
At Missouri University of Science & Technology
Responsible Waste Management
Changing behavior requires a change of attitude. A change of attitude comes from heightened awareness and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Regionally Organizing for Sustainability, South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC)
- Moraine Valley Community College (IL)
A regional consortium of 12 higher education institutions, representing non-profit, private, for-profit and four year and two year universities and colleges organized a 2-day workshop bringing 100+ participants from multiple …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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STARS Advanced Workshop (2011)
- Moraine Valley Community College (IL)
This workshop will feature STARS representatives from institutions that have completed their STARS Report and achieved a STARS Rating. The focus will be on discussing best practices and lessons learned. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Climate Neutrality, Zero Net Energy Campuses, and Climate Action Plans - OH MY!
- Mount Wachusett Community College (MA)
As the number of signatories to the American College and University President's Climate Commitment increases and Sustainability Teams effectively strengthen the trend for Climate Action Plans that target Carbon Neutrality …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cogeneration: Creating Sustainable Energy for the Future at NYU
- New York University (NY)
College campuses have a major opportunity for energy use reductions: district heat and power, also known as cogeneration. This presentation will examine NYU's new cogeneration power plant located underneath a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Why Your Campus Needs a Distributed Network of Sustainability Advocates
- New York University (NY)
Improving the environmental performance of higher education institutions is not only a question of infrastructural development through decisions made in the upper echelons of university administration; it is also intimately …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Native Woodland Garden: The New Paradigm in Ecology Takes Root on Manhattan Island
- New York University (NY)
Does the high density of our cities mean that we have to leave the city center to experience biodiversity? Do we have to sacrifice aesthetics for the sake of ecological …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Meaningful Advocacy in the Age of Permanent Crisis: Strategies for Preventing Burnout and Creating Sustainable Change
- New York University (NY)
This dynamic workshop aims to explore the "binary star system" represented by a pair of interrelated challenges that confront all leaders and advocates working to advance sustainability in higher education: …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Strategies for Environmental Assessment: Leveraging Sustainability Reporting to Engage Change
- New York University (NY)
From the first Environmental Assessment (EA) that our university performed half a decade ago through the process of institutionalizing assessment using STARS 1.0, our university's Office of Sustainability has deeply …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Study Abroad: Acting locally, Connecting globally
- New York University (NY)
Study abroad is at the heart of an increasingly globalized and experiential higher education learning strategy, as students get to experience life in an entirely different cultural and ecological context. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bike Sharing and the Urban Campus
- New York University (NY)
In 2008, inspired by the municipal bicycle sharing programs in many European cities and bike rental programs available at some small campus-oriented schools, an independent student team began designing America's …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building Energy Analysis: Supply and Demand, Trending and Exception Reporting
- North Carolina State University (NC)
In a university setting, the Energy Management Unit is responsible for all utility metering data for the 13 million square foot campus. This data includes the natural gas (NG), fuel …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Analysis, Energy Consumption Analysis, and Sustainability Reporting for Higher Education
- North Carolina State University (NC)
In order to analyze our GHG inventory, energy data from the central utility plants, building meters, transportation data, and carbon offset data is uploaded to an online system. The data …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Eating our way to Carbon Neutral
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
At Northern Arizona University, Campus Dinning and the Office of Sustainability are teaming up with students, faculty, and staff to create a culture of food sustainability engrained into our curriculum …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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No Impact Jack: A "Green Room"" Certification Process"
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
This new residence life program will be launched in the fall of 2011, and it will be a twist on the idea of encouraging students to complete an online Sustainability …
- 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.
PA 1: Sustainability Coordination
- Description of the sustainability committee(s)
- Description of the sustainability office(s)
- Description of activities and accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years
- First sustainability position (upload)
- First sustainability position (text)
- Second sustainability position (upload)
- Second sustainability position (text)
- Third sustainability position (upload)
- Third sustainability position (text)
- Website URL - Sustainability Coordination
PA 2: Sustainability Coordination
- Published measurable objectives - Academics
- Published measurable objectives - Engagement
- Published measurable objectives - Operations
- Published measurable objectives - Planning & Administration
- Website URL - Highest Guiding Strategic Plan
- Sustainability plan (upload)
- Sustainability plan (website URL)
- Website URL - Sustainability planning
PA 3: Sustainability Coordination
- Description of participatory or shared governance bodies
- Percent of official members of the highest governing body that are women
- Website URL - Institution’s highest level governing body
- Description of campus-community council or equivalent body that gives external stakeholders a regular voice in institutional decisions
- Website URL - Institutional governance body
PA 4: Reporting Assurance
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.