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
New England's Largest Campus Solar Project
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
In early 2017, UMass Amherst completed the installation of 5.5 MW of solar power over two parking lots and five rooftops making it the largest solar project on a college …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
From Sustainable Development Goals to Campus Sustainability Plan
- Villanova University (PA)
The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were announced in 2015 as the standard for future development of all nations. As such, Villanova University decided to use the SDGs as the …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Catch the Wave: A Recycling Success Story from Concept to Today
- University of Kansas Medical Center (KS)
Starting up a recycling program at a medical/research educational facility has several challenges from 'How do we start?' to 'What can we recycle?'. This poster presentation will demonstrate the evolution …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability without Boundaries: Leveraging Green Initiatives to Bridge Campus, Community, and City
- U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
We're all in this together! Sustainability initiatives provide an excellent opportunity to empower the full spectrum of campus stakeholders to get involved in the work of building a better future. …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Presidential Power: Examining the Language of Executive Campus Commitments
- U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
Over the course of the past decade, hundreds of college and university presidents have committed to an array of sustainability goals through platforms like Second Nature's Climate Commitment, the Sustainability …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Interactive Workshop: Simple Choices in Sustainable Purchasing? Beware the Pitfalls
- Green Seal (DC)
What's the simple answer for selecting a sustainable product?' Many purchasers ask this when seeking environmentally-responsible choices. Many of these simple answers may seem to be the correct ones at …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Rookies, Newbies, Imposters, & Not-Yet-Experts: Navigating Newness, Isolation, and/or Competence for Sustainability Professionals in Higher Education
- Marquette University (WI)
This informal, semi-structured networking meeting is meant to keep that conversation going and allow for additional introductions and engagement. All are welcome, even if you did not attend the earlier …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
SFU's Zero Waste Initiative
- Simon Fraser University (BC)
In January 2014, SFU launched its Zero Waste Initiative, with the aim of diverting 70% of waste from landfill, while doubling the amount recycled or composted. This goal was adopted …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Wake Up & Dream: An Ecovillage Planning Experience on Campus
- Oklahoma State University (OK)
Wake Up & Dream was a 12-month planning process that explored the idea of building an ecovillage as an alternative to convention campus housing. Nine speakers were brought to campus …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Campus Move Out Sale: The Journey From Inception to Year Six.
- Colorado State University (CO)
Six years ago CSU's Housing and Surplus Departments decided to partner and pilot an additional step into the move out process, a sale with proceeds benefiting the Eco Leaders Student …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Let's Develop a Sustainability Literacy Assessment!
- Colorado State University (CO)
Many institutions of higher education are interested in assessing their students' sustainability literacy, however developing a reliable and valid assessment tool is a difficult and time-consuming task. In this presentation …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creating a Campus Culture for Sustainability by knowing how to do more with less.
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
In this session we'll look at how properly implementing campus initiatives, understanding your constituents and their needs, and enhanced marketing approaches are all necessary to move sustainability on a campus …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Using the SDGs to progress sustainability
- Macquarie University (NSW)
The Sustainable Development Goals are the talk of the decade. Every nation state on the planet has signed up to achieve them - but what does this mean for tertiary …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Using the Diffusion of Innovation Theory to Assess Student Involvement
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
The reasoning behind becoming involved in topics of sustainability often vary from person to person. We've done a little thinking and found that, like most movements, the Diffusion of Innovation …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Achieving Campus Waste Goals by Leveraging Diverse Stakeholders on and off Campus
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
- Casella (VT)
UMass Lowell recently underwent a competitive bid process and the university was able to bring a diverse set of stakeholders to the table to ensure we were able to achieve …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Road to Gold: Sustainability Success REALLY IS Written in the STARS
- Texas A&M University (TX)
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) has become a vital tool for Texas A&M University. Over time, we have learned how to better leverage STARS to improve sustainability …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Dollars are Flying out of Your Green Fund! Does That Equal Success?
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Actively managing a campus green fund in its social, environmental, and economic aspects is an essential component to producing intentional results and optimizing its impact. Since its inception in 2011, …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Introducing the new STARS Peer Review Protocol
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
- AASHE (MA)
As part of our efforts to continuously improve STARS data quality, AASHE is considering implementing a new STARS Peer Review protocol beginning with the launch of STARS 2.2 in 2018. …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Beyond Excuses: Banning Bottled Water on Your Campus
- Eastern Washington University (WA)
Over 100 North American universities have enacted policies banning bottled water and promoting tap water as a more preferable choice. This workshop will outline the steps of banning bottled water, …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Getting to Zero: Integrating Carbon Neutrality Planning with a Campus Utility Master Plan at a Small Liberal Arts College
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- Stone House Group (PA)
This presentation will cover how a small liberal arts college undertook an integrated Campus Utility Master Plan and Net Zero Carbon Strategy. It will explore how the Director of Sustainability …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How Deferred Maintenance can be Your Climate Action Plan Ally
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Stone House Group (PA)
Is your institution reluctant to start a green fund due to competing priorities such as deferred maintenance backlog? Come hear how Dickinson College has carefully identified energy-saving and carbon-reducing deferred …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Energy Security, Resilience, and Cost Savings: Solar Can Do More Than Save the Planet
- Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (VA)
- Institute for Sustainable Communities (VT)
Installing a solar PV array on campus is one way campuses across the country are working toward their climate and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. But with the cost of …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
California's Campuses Light the Way to a Clean Energy Future: Best Practices in Solar Project Planning
- SunPower Corp (CA)
Until recently, the majority of solar PV capacity in the US has been installed in California. As new states emerge as leaders in solar-friendly policies, decision makers at campuses across …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How to Drive the Transformation Change Needed in your Institution to Achieve Climate Neutrality
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, Western society has been built on the use of fossil fuels. In fact, energy consumption per capita is higher in Canada and the …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Trends in climate change mitigation strategies. Which institutions are meeting their greenhouse gas reduction targets and why.
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
In the last decade nearly 500 colleges and universities in North America have publicly declared their intention to combat climate change by reaching carbon neutrality. Of those, 325 have committed …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Facilitation for Organizational Change
- GreenerU (MA)
One of the most important, yet often understated skills of any profession is the ability to be a strong group meeting facilitator. Whether it is a small internal meeting with …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
State of the Association Address: AASHE Member Meeting
- AASHE (MA)
Come join the AASHE Board and Staff while we present the AASHE 'state of the organization' address. You'll hear highlights from the member survey, programmatic priorities, and AASHE's vision for …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
AASHE International Networking Meeting
- Portland Community College (OR)
- AASHE (MA)
Members of the international community who are attending the AASHE conference and those who are interested in international issues are invited to join in a networking meeting to share challenges, …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Rapid Response: The South Carolina Floods Research Initiative
- University of South Carolina (SC)
In October 2015, South Carolina experienced an unprecedented flood. It was immediately clear that the state would be forever changed by a natural disaster that ravaged rural, urban and suburban …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Ten Years of Including Wellness in the Sustainability Model
- Bemidji State University (MN)
Bemidji State University's Sustainability Office created a unique model for sustainability that includes a wellness component. The mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health of every person matters. Reducing anxiety, eating …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Institutional Boundaries: Creating Clarity in a Time of Complex Third-Party Partnerships
- Arizona State University (AZ)
When was the last time you thought about your 'institutional boundaries' - the first credit in AASHE STARS? As higher education institutions continue to expand and evolve through innovative third-party …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Senior Leadership Summit: Positioning Sustainability as Your Ultimate Innovation and Strategy Driver
- Harvard University (MA)
- Millersville University (PA)
AASHE's 2017 Senior Leadership Summit is an intensive professional development opportunity for senior leaders and their teams to accelerate their sustainability leadership impact by increasing the flow and adoption of …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Students Counting Kilowatts - Student-engagement in energy conservation and master planning
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
- Stanford University (CA)
Universities are constantly undertaking studies and master planning efforts for all kinds of functions. These are opportunities for student learning and can be an important role for sustainability staff. Join …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Beyond Waste Diversion: Advancing Sustainable Materials Management at Emory
- Emory University (GA)
- Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. (WA)
Emory University's Sustainability Vision calls for aggressive waste minimization, including 95% diversion from landfills by 2025. Further, Emory is committed to the highest and best use of materials, innovation, transparent …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Engaging Senior Leaders in Organizational Design and Idea Flow: Lessons learned from Corporate & Higher Education Sector Leaders
- Harvard University (MA)
- Swarthmore College (PA)
This session will present key findings from a landmark corporate CEO study along with applied leadership engagement case stories from higher education institutions to help advance our collective efforts to …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Mapping Your Campus Metabolism: Taking a Systems Approach to Understanding Material Flows on Your Campus
- Furman University (SC)
As campuses strive to become increasingly more sustainable, a comprehensive, integrated systems understanding of a university's campus metabolism and key material flows (water, energy, food, and materials) is essential for …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Carbon Pricing & Higher Ed: Internal Carbon Fees, Using Shadow Prices for Life Cycle Analysis, & Engaging Beyond the Campus
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- Yale University (CT)
This interactive workshop will examine different models for internal carbon pricing, including models adopted by Yale, Vassar and Swarthmore. We will cover revenue neutral prices, prices that generate funds for …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Models for Collaborative and Implementable Pan-Campus Sustainability Plans
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- North Carolina State University (NC)
Taking sustainability to the next level, for many higher education institutions, requires a strategic, long-range, and comprehensive sustainability plan. The process by which you develop content, engage the campus community …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Instituting Plastic Wrap Recycling in a University Setting: A Case Study
- Medical University of South Carolina (SC)
Since its creation in 1995, the MUSC Recycling Department has grown into a massive operation serving the recycling needs of over 14,000 FTE employees in 131 buildings including confidential paper …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Southwestern University Campus as a Living Laboratory
- Southwestern University (TX)
As a small liberal arts school in the middle of conservative Central Texas, Southwestern provides a unique example of a case study for increasing the sustainability of an institution of …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Quadruple Bottom Line Analysis
- Cornell University (NY)
Quadruple Bottom Line (QBL) Analysis uses mission-aligned sustainability impact areas to strengthen carbon reduction project assessment. Often single-bottom, financial, or non-rigorous 'reputational' factors, drive decision making. QBL uses a metrics …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Passing the Baton: Best Practices for Transitioning Into and Out of Sustainability Positions
- Connecticut College (CT)
- University of South Carolina (SC)
As the sustainability profession grows, more of us will find ourselves changing institutions to progress in our careers. The transition requires quickly learning the ins and outs of a new …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus Sustainability Reporting and WikiRate
- University of Michigan (MI)
- University of Worcester
The University of Michigan (US) and the University of Worcester (UK) are using their sustainability data (STARS and HESA [UK Higher Education Statistics Agency]) to create and test a common, …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability Council-- Collaboration Among Student Organizations Is Key to Sustainable Success at Ohio State
- The Ohio State University (OH)
As a major land-grant institution, The Ohio State University offers many opportunities for student involvement in sustainability. The University has over 100 sustainability-oriented organizations-- each with is own mission. Recently, …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Riverbank Climate Collaboration: How MIT and BU are preparing for Climate Change from Both Sides of the River
- Boston University (MA)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
Preparing urban university campuses for the complexities and uncertainties of new and intensifying climate risks requires aggregating diverse expertise and resources including climate science, urban planning, utility and building systems …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Leveraging AASHE STARS for Organizational Change
- Boston University (MA)
Boston University's Sustainability Director and sustainability@BU Intern for STARS will review their process for gathering, vetting, and reporting data for submission to STARS. STARS has allowed the University to annually …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
It's not just Earth Day, it's Every Day! Building a Sustainability Movement
- New York University (NY)
With the new administration in the White House it is imperative that sustainability offices and clubs build a strong, effective movement to act on climate change by unifying with other …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
University-Local Government Collaborations on Sustainability
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Climate change can be effectively addressed at a local, rather than national, scale. Cities and universities represent the centers of commerce and culture, as well as the world's population and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Students Put Their Money Where Their Values Are: The JCCC Sustainability Initiatives Fund
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
This poster describes Johnson County Community College's Student Sustainability Committee. The Committee, formed in 2011 as part of a student-led initiative for a dollar-per-credit hour fee to fund sustainable initiatives …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Carbon Footprint of Higher Education
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Loyola University Chicago set out to inventory the greenhouse gas emissions of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. In doing so, they found interesting trends and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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.