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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Envisioning Higher Education for Sustainability AFTER the Sh*t Hits the Fan
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania (PA)
The purpose of this session is to engage the AASHE audience in a thought experiment aimed at identifying alternative strategic priorities for higher education sustainability programs. The starting point for …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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International Networking Meeting 2019
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Portland Community College (OR)
Members of the international community and anyone interested in international issues or collaboration are invited to join in a networking meeting to share resources, challenges, and ideas from our countries, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Catalyzing Finance/Business Office to Advocate for Sustainability
- Millersville University (PA)
- National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) (DC)
The financial/business office can be a strong ally for sustainability - or it can be an albatross. How communications occur, data is collected and displayed, and language can all be …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Campus As A Living Lab: Integrating Academics and Facility Operations to Work Toward Common Goals
- University of Utah (UT)
It is an often understood idea that campuses across the nation allow themselves to become a laboratory for student ideas, especially in the field of applied sustainability. Unfortunately, larger universities …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Utilizing Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Engagement Techniques to Maximize Sustainability
- University of New Haven (CT)
Starting a new job is difficult. As a sustainability professional, how many times have you been asked if you are an engineer? An environmentalist? Or do you just find it …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Charting the Course for Sustainability at a New Campus: Utilizing Strategic Planning
- University of New Haven (CT)
Starting a new job is difficult. As a sustainability professional, how many times have you been asked if you are an engineer? An environmentalist? Or do you just find it …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Colorado Sustainability Networking Meeting
- University of Denver (CO)
Calling all students, staff, and others who work on Sustainability across Colorado Colleges and Universities! Let's get together and talk shop!
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Co-Creating: More Than Just a Plan
- Santa Clara University (CA)
Instead of another long Climate Action Plan that no one typically reads (as we experienced with our 2010 and 2015 Climate Action Plans), when the time came to update our …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability Misconceptions in Higher Education: How AASHE STARS Reporting May Drive Innovation
- Indiana University Southeast (IN)
Institutions of Higher Education have the capacity and capability to become leaders in sustainability, and potential agents of change. Sustainability conversations have been occurring at colleges and universities over the …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainable Campuses: Integrating Sustainability into Your Institution
- Audubon International (NY)
Colleges and universities can advance sustainability applications and student learning opportunities by taking an active role in sustainability initiatives that can provide on-campus benefits for improved curriculum and recruiting. This …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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How to Develop a Comprehensive Communication Plan for Sustainability Offices in Higher Education
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Your sustainability office might be doing exceptional work, but how do you manage your promotional efforts throughout campus and the community to tell your story? We will provide a guide …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Connecting our Community with a Plan for our Environment
- University of Kansas Medical Center (KS)
This poster discusses the unique challenges the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) faced when incorporating sustainability on campus and the innovative solutions that have led to success. Medical centers …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Shaping The Future Environmentally Sustainable Campus: What's Planning Got To Do With It?
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of California, Davis (CA)
As universities embark on large-scale planning efforts to consider new and renovated sites, buildings, and landscape; upgrade large infrastructure systems and utilities; design with new partnerships and ways to finance …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Rad Recruitment and Retention of Peer to Peer Educators
- Northern Michigan University (MI)
The primary focus of this presentation is to share the successful strategies for a peer to peer sustainability educator program through the two key components of recruitment and retention, with …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Developing Effective Collaboration Among Students, Staff and Faculty to Advance Sustainability
- Connecticut College (CT)
For sustainability efforts to truly make lasting change on our campuses, we need support from students, faculty and staff. Each of these groups holds different power and influence on the …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Advancing Campus Sustainability Through Strong Partnerships
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
CSU Northridge has achieved remarkable success in advancing sustainability through strong partnerships across campus. Some projects that seem challenging to implement may simply require asking questions and framing ideas in …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability "Offices of One"
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
- 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 Dec. 4, 2019
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Utilizing STARS for Shared Language and Data-Focused Collaboration: A Replicable Model
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (MA)
- UMass Chan Medical School (MA)
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
In order to make progress campuses must be able to benchmark themselves and utilize that data to make informed decisions. This becomes exponentially important when campuses across a university system …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability Reporting at Universities with Multiple Platforms
- Southern New Hampshire University (NH)
With the addition of online students, many schools now have over 100,000 students spread across multiple platforms. While much has been said about the academics of these institutions, fewer sources …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Tools and Strategies for Successful Living Lab Projects
- Macalester College (MN)
- San Mateo County Community College District Office (CA)
- Tufts University (MA)
The campus and surrounding community are rich with learning opportunities. Ideas and passion for sustainability efforts, particularly among students, abound. Yet, the tools by which to ensure projects align with …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainability 2.0: How the REFOCUS Method is Enabling AASHE Members to Lead Deeper Change
- College of William & Mary (VA)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
- REFOCUS (ON)
Many institutions are entering a 'Sustainability 2.0' phase, where offices have been established for up to ten years and topics such as recycling, composting, Eco-Reps, active transportation, etc. have seen …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Green Events: A Student Intern Approach to Sustainable Campus Gatherings
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
This informational session will provide attendees with an in-depth look at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Sustainability Green Events Program. This program began in 2018 as a collaboration between …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Next Generation Sustainability Planning
- Cornell University (NY)
- Duke University (NC)
- Princeton University (NJ)
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Like many peer institutions, Duke, Cornell, Princeton and Penn jumped on board the higher education sustainability train as early developers of ambitious campus climate and sustainability plans more than a …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Student-led Sustainability Projects: How to Co-Create a Resilient Economy
- GreenLight Solutions Foundation (AZ)
Join GreenLight Solutions Foundation for an interactive crash course that will teach you how to analyze a business through a sustainability lens and inspire you take action to co-create a …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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From a Rating to Results: Strategies for Aligning Sustainability Goals with Campus Priorities
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Clemson University (SC)
- University of New Haven (CT)
- Gordian (SC)
Each institution has myriad opportunities for improving its environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Some are poised at the outset of a burgeoning discussion around sustainability while others have been long-committed …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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The State of Sustainability in Higher Ed: Managing to Make a Difference
- Smith College (MA)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
Managing a college or university sustainability program is a tough job under normal circumstances. But in the current era of political divisiveness and ideological extremes, sustainability issues and goals can …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Blueprints for Breaking Silos: Pathways to Engage Faculty, Staff and Students in Campus Living Labs
- University of Georgia (GA)
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Presenters will share pathways, frameworks, and methods for engaging diverse faculty, staff, and students in using the campus as a living laboratory through examples of impactful research collaborations from the …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Demonstrating the Return on Investment of Campus as a Living Lab: Case Studies From the Field
- Orange Coast College (CA)
- San Mateo County Community College District Office (CA)
- Skyline College (CA)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
- University of California, Merced (CA)
Realizing the promise of campus and community as living laboratories for students can seem like the ultimate goal. Done well, these applied learning pathways offer significant returns to students, campus …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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What Good Looks Like: Creating a Center for Climate Resilience using the Living Community Challenge
- San Francisco State University (CA)
San Francisco State University is redefining what it means to be an environmentally and socially resilient research university. At its campus in Tiburon, CA, SF State is striving for Living …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Best Practices for Inter-Institutional Emissions Benchmarking
- Duke University (NC)
- Harvard University (MA)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- Yale University (CT)
The Ivy+ Sustainability Consortium is a collective of 14 higher education universities that share and develop best practices for sustainability. In an effort to better understand the consortium's collective emissions …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Intersectionality of Student-Led Projects at State University of New York at Geneseo
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
The SUNY Geneseo Office of Sustainability has five major projects that help direct our campus towards the advancement of a sustainable economy. These student-led and organized projects include composting, the …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Tools to Support Your Professional Development and Reach Your Campus Group Goals
- National Union of Students
- Care About Climate, Inc (AZ)
We know students are doing amazing things on campuses across the world. However, groups are often working in isolation or have to go up a steep learning curve to try …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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From Energy to Apathy: Maintaining Positive Momentum on Student-Run Initiatives
- Iowa State University (IA)
- University of Northern Iowa (IA)
The greatest non-mandated catalyst for change at a college or university is the organized and educated student voice. A harmonized student voice creates the leaps in programming that are needed …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Moving Beyond 'You're the sustainability person' To A Culture of Sustainability Mindedness
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
Sustainability professionals often hear the phrase 'you're the sustainability person'. This usually implies that the person making the statement does not care about sustainability as much. This particular mindset of …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Medical Centers and Campus Sustainability: Best Practices and Developing a National Network
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
Many institutions of higher education are associated with medical centers and schools. However, engaging hospitals on sustainability has several challenges. Hospitals face different regulatory environments, have different financial circumstances and …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Using Complexity Leadership Theory to Achieve Sustainability Goals
- Chapman University (CA)
This proposal explores how utilizing complexity leadership theory, which is a combination of adaptive, enabling, and administrative leadership, to further campus sustainability goals and initiatives. This presentation will focus on …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainable Institutions and Campus Success Metrics: Useful Narratives for Appealing to Stakeholders
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
The relationships between investment in campus sustainability and success metrics that are not typically associated with sustainability is poorly understood. We are interested in exploring the relationship between institutions with …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Students and Staff: The Mutual Benefits of Connecting Student Groups and Sustainability Offices
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
Student groups often are the driving force behind changes for sustainability on campus. Energized and empowered students can gain the attention of administrators and advocate for change which can be …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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"Greening with Lean": Institutionalizing Sustainability Across Campus Through Lean Principles
- Miami University (OH)
Lean principles and techniques were designed to eliminate waste, discover avenues of improvement, and foster innovation. At Miami University, we have historically used Lean methods to increase revenue, improve productivity, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Advancing Sustainability in Conservative Climates: Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches
- Sul Ross State University (TX)
- Wingate University (NC)
This panel will examine the approach to sustainability in higher education at two campuses, one public and one private, situated within challenging political and socio-economic contexts: Sul Ross State University, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Reinvigorating Your University's Sustainability Commitment
- Southern New Hampshire University (NH)
While some universities have established sustainability offices, others may have a structure in place, but greater support is needed from faculty, students, and administrators. This presentation will describe the efforts …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Getting to Yes on a Comprehensive Institutional Response to the Climate Crisis: Energy 2028
- Middlebury College (VT)
Middlebury College trustees recently adopted a resolution committing the college to achieve the following goals: - Divestment from all fossil fuel and related investments in its endowment - 100% renewable …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Cutting Through the Noise: Developing a Comprehensive Communications Structure
- Medical University of South Carolina (SC)
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
Many sustainability offices or green funds at large educational institutions are 'buried' within the organizations. One quick look at where sustainability lies on an institutional website gives a glimpse into …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Building a Culture of Sustainability Through New Student Orientation
- Lehigh University (PA)
- State University of New York at Oswego (NY)
This presentation will describe the process that we went through here at SUNY Oswego for First-Year Students. This process allowed us to educate new students on Sustainability and how it …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Building From the Ground Up: Developing a Sustainable Campus From Scratch
- University of Central Oklahoma (OK)
This session focuses on providing tips and tools for students and faculty who wish to develop a sustainability group or initiative, or grow one that is already initiated, at an …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Creating and Maintaining Public Archives: Green Fund Website Redesign
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
With help from our Student Union Marketing Team, The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) at UC Berkeley has entirely rebuilt its website on a new platform, creating a public archive of …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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STARS as a Meaningful Student Learning Opportunity
- Weber State University (UT)
- Westminster University - Utah (UT)
- Williams College (MA)
Engaging students in the STARS process can provide valuable student learning and ease the data collection burden on sustainability staff. This interactive panel discussion offers examples and lessons learned from …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Living Building Challenge in Higher Education Roundtable
- International Living Future Institute (WA)
Higher education institutions around the country are pursuing the Living Building Challenge and Living Community Challenge - using the frameworks from ILFI to guide their sustainability efforts to go beyond …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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How will FDD change the way we think about maintenance?
- CopperTree Analytics (WA)
It's easy to be tempted by new and shiny solutions - from cutting edge equipment to upgraded assets. But what if we're missing something - a solution that's humbler but …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Welcome and Unwelcome Surprises on the Path to Carbon-Neutrality
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
For many colleges and universities, the commitment to carbon-neutrality was initially a pledge based upon a leap of faith that was judged too important to delay until a clear path …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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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.