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
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New Resources
UNC Charlotte Party for the Planet
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
An annual event celebrating Earth Day at UNC Charlotte with student organizations and campus groups tabling and hosting interactive activities
- Posted April 23, 2025
- Photographs
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UNC Charlotte Student Garden Day
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
An annual event hosted by the Office of Sustainability, UNC Charlotte Jamil Niner Student Pantry, and the Pollinator Club at UNC Charlotte that organizes volunteers to beautify the four garden …
- Posted April 22, 2025
- Photographs
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UNC Charlotte Campus Beautification Day
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
The Office of Sustainability and Grounds Department hosted the semi-annual Campus Beautification Day on April 16th. Volunteers planted trees around our Greek Village housing area, and cleaned up litter around …
- Posted April 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Climate Risks and Resilience at Dickinson College: Strategies for College Finances
- Bard College (NY)
- Dickinson College (PA)
Prepared for Building Climate Resilience at Dickinson and in Central Pennsylvania, an initiative of Dickinson College, the Borough of Carlisle, and Cumberland County, PA, as part of Dickinson’s Baird Sustainability …
- Posted April 3, 2025
- Publications
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Don’t let Your Data go to Waste – Leveraging Waste Data to Meet Your Goals
- Boston University (MA)
- Emerson College (MA)
- Stanford University (CA)
Although waste data is a critical component of meeting waste goals, it is often not collected, analyzed, or understood to discover opportunities for operational and behavioral waste improvements. Stanford University, …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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AI Innovations for Sustainable Higher Education: Strategies and Success Stories
- Woxsen University
Join us for an enlightening session delving into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing sustainability within higher education. Our presentation, "AI Innovations for Sustainable Higher Education: Strategies …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Equity in Campus Decarbonization: Insights from UC Campus Studies
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
- JLL (IL)
- Inclusiv
University of California academic and health campuses are pursuing decarbonization studies to identify how to eliminate 90% of the emissions from fossil fuels on campus. As part of the study …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Embracing Crisis as Catalyst: Mobilizing SDGs in Post-Secondary Classrooms and the SDGs in the Classroom Toolkit
- York University
In the face of persistent disruptions and fractures in the post-secondary education sector, exacerbated by global events, it becomes imperative to reconceptualize crisis as a potential catalyst for positive transformation …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Campus Sustainability Strategy - Tools, Framing & Inspiration
- University of Southern California (CA)
Does your energy level swing between euphoria inspired by student creativity and severe fatigue from back-to-back engagement activities? Do you question whether your office’s efforts are moving the needle? Until …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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TRUST, FEEDBACK, GROWTH - Cultivating a Resilient and Adaptive Team
- Trust (MA)
To move at the pace demanded by the climate crisis will require quick feedback loops and ongoing iterations of our work. A team can be stacked with talent - but …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Community College Networking Meeting
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
This session provides opportunities for community college sustainability staff/faculty/students to share their successes and challenges with each other. Additionally, the new AASHE Community/Technical College support community will be introduced.
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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The Road to AASHE STARS Gold: Changing the Face of Sustainability
- California State University, Dominguez Hills (CA)
There are several common challenges for higher education institutions when it comes to prioritizing sustainability on campus: lack of interest or support from upper administration, lack of resources and funding, …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Navigating AASHE's STARS v3.0: Reporting with Data Excellence and Stakeholder Engagement
- American University (DC)
In today's rapidly evolving sustainability landscape, accurate and transparent reporting is crucial for higher educational institutions to communicate progress and benchmark sustainability goals. This presentation will provide insight on lessons …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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International Networking Session
- AASHE (MA)
Join this session to network with attendees from outside of the US and Canada, learn about AASHE's work with campuses around the world, and the variety of global organizations that …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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AASHE Member Meeting
- AASHE (MA)
AASHE Member Meeting
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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HEI Administrators and Managers Networking Session
- University of Toronto (ON)
A “whole-institution approach” — involving departments, operations, and governance — is required to achieve sustainable, climate-positive campuses. The community actively engaging in and incorporating sustainable practices on campus now extends …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Take the SDGs Global with Education Abroad & International Services
- Texas A&M University (TX)
This session will examine the powerful synergy between sustainability initiatives and global programs. Presenters will demonstrate the impact of forging strategic alliances between your sustainability office and key players like …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Faith-Based Higher Education Institution Networking Session
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
- Oklahoma City University (OK)
Faith-Based Higher Education Institution Networking Session
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Elevating Impact Through Local Government Partnership
- Northeastern University (MA)
- Stanford University (CA)
Colleges and universities cannot solve the climate crisis alone. We are deeply connected to our surrounding neighborhoods and the cities and towns that host and partner with us. Much like …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Offices of One Networking Session
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
- University of Louisville (KY)
We all know that Sustainability Coordinators are amazingly talented and highly motivated. We can do anything, right? Well, the truth is that we cannot do EVERYTHING; and yet so many …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Behind the Curtain: How to Create & Deploy Creative Funding Constructs That Get @!%$ Done
- Emory University (GA)
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Have you tried to get a revolving fund or student sustainability fee and failed? Do you know certain efforts pay back financially, academically, and/or in advancing solutions to complex challenges …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainable Practices & Resiliency: Higher Ed. Strategic Planning
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
- Deloitte Consulting LLP (TX)
Presenters describe Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU’s) journey leading up to and since the incorporation of sustainability and resiliency into the University’s new five-year strategic plan. During the session, attendees …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Student Sustainability Leadership Development at the College of Charleston
- College of Charleston (SC)
Leadership is a concept that has many definitions and can be a very difficult thing to understand, yet so many people seek to understand it. The same can be said …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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From Ideas to Action: Using the STARS Reporting Process to Develop a Strategic Plan
- Brailsford & Dunlavey (DC)
Congratulations! You've completed a STARS Report! Now what?! The value of the STARS reporting process is more than a STARS Rating. Relationships built, data collected, and key insights highlighted throughout …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Building Communities of Practice Among Sustainability and Racial Equity Leaders
- Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (WA)
We would like to convene those working at the intersections of sustainability, climate solutions and resilience, and racial equity. Come and share what that work looks like in your organization(s) …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Climate Action Planning, Different Approaches, Common Themes, and Resources
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
This learning lab highlights climate action planning, stakeholder identification & engagement ideas, hazard & impact mapping, resources, etc. The Universities of Wisconsin include 13 public universities across the state. Eight …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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STARS External Review as a Collaboration Tool
- University of Utah (UT)
- Utah State University (UT)
- Weber State University (UT)
Learn how three Utah higher education institutions work together to strengthen their sustainability efforts through the STARS external review process. Weber State University, Utah State University, and the University of …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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From Data to Action: Using Surveys to Drive Sustainability Programs
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
At a large university, it can be difficult to determine what campus sustainability programs should be prioritized. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Office of Sustainability (OS) tackles this challenge by …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability, Y'all! Southeastern Schools Meet Up
- Kennesaw State University (GA)
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
- University of Georgia (GA)
Do you attend or represent a college or university in the southeastern US? Do you want to connect with folks from other schools from this distinctive part of the continent? …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Networking Session for Canadian Institutions
- McGill University (QC)
- University of the Fraser Valley (BC)
Networking session for sustainability practitioners from insitutions in Canada.
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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STARS Town Hall
- Colorado State University (CO)
- The New School (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
The STARS Town Hall is an opportunity to learn about the ongoing development of the Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System and provide feedback on the program. Participants will hear …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Starting STARS: A Workshop for Beginners
- Bentley University (MA)
- Haverford College (PA)
- GreenerU (MA)
This workshop will provide training in developing an AASHE STARS inventory specifically for students and early-career professionals tasked with completing this complex report. The workshop will begin with an overview …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
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Investing in Sustainability: Navigating Funding, Relationships, & Growth
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Staff from the University of Arizona's Office of Sustainability will share their journey of growth and (usually) strategic change, exploring the development and institutionalization of sustainability at the U of …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Strategic Planning 3.0: Rebuilding trust in the process
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- Trust (MA)
Santa Clara University’s Center for Sustainability had an opportunity. They were ready to update their sustainability plan, but this time - they wanted to do it differently. They wanted a …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Tracking and Driving Progress in Sustainability Goals through Data and Dashboards
- University of Southern California (CA)
Want to use data to leverage your institution's sustainability goals? Here we'll discuss how the University of Southern California (USC) is leveraging sustainability data for transparency, collaboration and progress with …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Next Generation of Higher Ed Climate Action: A Presentation and Discussion with Second Nature
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
- Second Nature (MA)
Since 2006, Second Nature has been the organization facilitating appropriate guidance for climate action in the higher education sector. The Climate Leadership Commitments and the network of schools implementing this …
- Posted Feb. 27, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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A Zero-Carbon Campus For ALL
- Mt. San Antonio College (CA)
Collaboration between all campus units-- from governance to instruction to facilities and beyond-- is key to achieving a climate justice-centric campus. Mt. San Antonio Community College (Mt. SAC) strives to …
- Posted Feb. 27, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Deep Decarbonization: Insights, Strategies, and Collaborative Solutions
- Tufts University (MA)
- University of Oregon (OR)
- AASHE (MA)
- Edison International (DC)
This engaging session features a conversation with a panel of representatives from leading campuses who will share insights into their unique approaches to decarbonization initiatives. The panel, moderated by Aurora …
- Posted Feb. 27, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Next Generation Climate Goal Leadership and Offset Strategy
- Harvard University (MA)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- University of Michigan (MI)
Join senior sustainability leaders to explore how leadership in climate goals and offset strategies have evolved over time, and take part in defining what leadership and transparency around this looks …
- Posted Feb. 27, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Binghamton 2 Degrees: Building Community Resilience Through Collaborative Action
- Binghamton University (NY)
Binghamton 2 Degrees is a transformative initiative uniting Binghamton University and the greater Binghamton community to envision a resilient future under the looming threat of two degrees of warming. Through …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
- Case Studies
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Fault Detection and Diagnostics at California State University, Northridge
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- Siemens Industry, Inc. (IL)
This project has enhanced CSUN's understanding and management of its building mechanical systems, fostering collaboration among building controls specialists, HVAC mechanics, and sustainability staff. The Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
- Case Studies
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Tackling Scope 3 Emissions at CSUN – A Commitment to Comprehensive GHG Reporting
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) has taken strides in addressing Scope 3 transportation emissions as part of its sustainability and climate action initiatives over the past seven years. This encompasses …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
- Case Studies
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Case Study Title: Drexel University Organic Land Care
- Drexel University (PA)
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
In 2022, students at Drexel launched a bold campaign advocating for organic land care on their campus. After countless meetings with campus staff, their hard work paid off. In 2023, …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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University of Wisconsin- Madison Organic Land Management Pilot Project
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
In the fall of 2022, students at UW-Madison were selected to participate in the Re:wild Your Campus Fellowship, and began advocating for an end to the use of synthetic pesticides …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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Leading the way: Developing a new approach to sustainability education for the college sector
- Mohawk College (ON)
- Students Organising For Sustainability (SOS-UK)
Mohawk College has a track record of innovation and leadership in the college sector in Canada and globally. Over the past two years they have led the way in developing …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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The 10-Year Challenge (IE University)
- Instituto de Empresa SL
The 10-Year Challenge is a transformative initiative launched by the IE University Sustainability Office in 2020. Its primary aim is to address sustainability challenges annually by focusing on a specific …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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Northeastern's Climate Justice Action Plan
- Northeastern University (MA)
Northeastern University’s Climate Justice Action Plan (CJAP) is a comprehensive, forward-thinking initiative designed to integrate climate justice principles into the institution’s sustainability framework. At the heart of this plan is …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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Sustainability Vision 2036: an Inclusive Process for Strategic Planning
- Emory University (GA)
Since Emory adopted sustainability as a guiding principle in its 2005 Strategic Plan, the enterprise has published two Sustainability Vision and Strategic Plans. These documents have guided Emory through two …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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Sorting it Out: A People-Centered Perspective on a Stadium Zero Waste Program
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
In 2022, the Office of Sustainability at UNC Charlotte took responsibility for an existing football stadium zero waste program. This shift in leadership, along with other changes to equipment, supplies, …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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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.