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
Green Genome Institutional Self-Assessment Tool
- American Association of Community Colleges (DC)
The Green Genome Institutional Self-Assessment Tool is a free tool designed to enable community colleges to quickly gauge how well they are leading and integrating sustainability and green workforce development …
- Posted July 25, 2016
- Tools
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AASHE Launches Version 2.1 for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System
- International Facility Management Association (TX)
AASHE recently launched the latest version of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) that features data auto-population, exemplary practice options and more.
- Posted July 22, 2016
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Integration of Sustainability Reporting at an Academic Institution
- Walden University (MN)
Leaders at nonprofit academic institutions are following the global business trend of embracing sustainability initiatives for positive social change; however, there has been slow growth in sustainability reporting among academic …
- Posted July 21, 2016
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An integrated leadership model for leading education for sustainability in higher education and the vital role of students as change agents
- University of Plymouth (Devon)
This paper explores the leadership of education for sustainability (EfS) in higher education, focusing specifically on the key role students can play as internal catalysts for change. It presents a …
- Posted July 21, 2016
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Education for sustainability-challenges and opportunities: The case of RCEs
- London South Bank University
This article will focus on the challenges of leadership and management of a key initiative of the 2005-2014 UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD), namely the Regional Centres …
- Posted July 21, 2016
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Boldly Sustainable: Hope & Opportunity for Higher Education in the age of Climate Change
- National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) (DC)
Sustainability is a powerful strategy for higher education to achieve renewal, reformation, and relevance in the 21st century. Boldly Sustainable examines how colleges and universities can leverage their commitment to …
- Posted July 21, 2016
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Quantitatively Assessing the Role of Higher Education in Global Sustainability
- University of Toronto (ON)
Three analytical methods are used to examine three primary questions to address an observed scarcity of literature that quantitatively and empirically assesses the role of higher education in global sustainability. …
- Posted July 19, 2016
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The World's Most Sustainable University 2020 + 2050: Creating a Vision for Sustainable Universities
- University of London
A presentation using Prezi that envisions what the sustainability of a university could be in 2020 in comparison with 2050.
- Posted July 14, 2016
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A Higher Calling for Higher Education
Education and knowledge resources are more available today than ever before. However, humanity’s two main conflicts - coexistence with nature and coexistence with each other - remain unresolved. We need …
- Posted July 1, 2016
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Looking through the “greenwashing glass cage” of the green league table towards the sustainability challenge for UK universities
Purpose – This paper aims to critically focus on the UK's People & Planet's “green league table” in order to explore to what extent such league tables contribute to the …
- Posted June 21, 2016
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Identifying Strength and Weakness of Sustainable Higher Educational Assessment Approaches
- Universiti Putra Malaysia
Sustainable Higher Education (SHE) is regarded as one of the most influential medium of facilitating sustainable development movement in the world. SHE assessment approaches are tools or frameworks which assesses …
- Posted June 20, 2016
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Ohio State University Sustainability Goals Project and Campus As A Living Laboratory Digital Archive
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Undergraduates in the Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS) major at The Ohio State University (OSU) complete a capstone course where student research teams analyze specific action priorities of the …
- Posted June 16, 2016
- Case Studies
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Sustainabiliy Impact Fund
- Northwestern University (IL)
This project is a student-led initiative to allow Northwestern alumni to donate to supporting sustainability initiatives on our campus. Titled the Sustainability Impact Fund, this initiative includes directed fundraising efforts …
- Posted June 11, 2016
- Case Studies
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The Big Ten Prospectus: Aligning Sustainability with Collective Mission Level Priorities
- Purdue University (IN)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
- University of Iowa (IA)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Central Office (NJ)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
- Northwestern University (IL)
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
- Michigan State University (MI)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
With higher education facing ongoing budget cuts, top to bottom reviews of programs and policies, and critical questions regarding the value of a college education, we—as sustainability professionals—must be able …
- Posted June 11, 2016
- Case Studies
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Students and Sustainability: Mechanism for making Green Leaders
- Ball State University (IN)
Introduction: Lead primarily by student initiative, a sustainability program has evolved into a new program whose mechanics are meant to make action, foster sustainable leaders, and educate a sustainable culture …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Students for Sustainability
- University of Arizona (AZ)
The University of Arizona’s Students for Sustainability program empowers students, builds leaders, and pursues institutionalized sustainability. The program embodies the University’s 100% student engagement model through its organizational structure, which …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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UW Green Greek Representative Program
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
Officially launched in November 2015, the Green Greek Representative Program (GGRP) is a student run program working through UW EcoReps and supported by UW Sustainability to make the Greek Community …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Sustainable Carolina Leadership Program
- University of South Carolina (SC)
The Sustainable Carolina Leadership Program is a sustainability-focused, student professional development program at the University of South Carolina, . It was conceived and developed over the course of six years …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Mohawk College Environmental Management Plan
- Mohawk College (ON)
In 2011, Mohawk College was the first college in Ontario, Canada to release a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (EMP) that laid out steps to enhance campus sustainability and set a …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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UW Admissions Modernization and Paper Reduction
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
After years of planning, the University of Washington’s Admissions Office switched to paperless digital admissions process for most prospective students in 2015, with plans to expand it to all prospective …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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The Sustainable Office Program - SOP
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
The Sustainable Office Program (SOP) is designed to assess department offices all over campus and categorize each office into four levels of sustainability. The four levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold, …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Utility-Scale Solar Farm for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is proud of its sustainability initiatives, and Facilities & Services (F&S) is honored to support the campus wide Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP). The …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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Empowering Students, Sustaining the University: The Southwestern Environmental Studies Capstone Experience
- Southwestern University (TX)
Southwestern University’s Environmental Studies department has created a unique curricular program for their capstone students that allows them to identify aspects of the university where the social, economic, and environmental …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Fostering the incorporation of sustainable development in higher education. Lessons learned from a change management perspective
- UC Leuven-Limburg
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
In research and literature about integration of sustainable development in higher education, particular attention is given towards barriers for change and critical success factors, mainly with a focus on organisational …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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What lies beneath the surface? The hidden complexities of organizational change for sustainability in higher education
- University of Brighton
Higher education institutions have an important role to play in the transition towards a more sustainable global society. In this context, many universities have embarked on a journey towards ‘sustainability’, …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Process framework for identifying sustainability aspects in university curricula and integrating education for sustainable development
- University of Turku
Sustainability aspects in higher education must be enhanced with more concrete actions. Universities are globally required to have quality assurance to secure and improve teaching and learning, and they use …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Integrated management systems for enhancing education for sustainable development in universities: a memetic approach
- University of Turku
There is a need for new approaches for enhancing education for sustainable development in universities. Memetics, which is about effective pathways of communication, could be such a new, promising approach. …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Diffusion of sustainability reporting in universities: current situation and future perspectives
- Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Madrid)
Universities play a key role in the development of society, and their involvement in sustainable development will be crucial in changing current practices in society towards sustainable development. Thus, information …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Union College's Presidential Green Grants: Empowering our community to make a more sustainable world
- Union College - NY (NY)
Our greatest resource as an institution is the creativity and energy of our community. Union College’s Presidential Green Grant (PGG) program leverages this creativity and energy by supporting novel projects …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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Learning Outcomes and Assessment for Undergraduate Students
- James Madison University (VA)
James Madison University (JMU) developed student learning outcomes and a corresponding assessment instrument to measure the change in undergraduate students’ environmental stewardship reasoning and knowledge over time. In consultation with …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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An approach to the implementation of sustainability practices in Spanish universities
Sustainability issues in higher educational institutions have attracted increasing levels of attention from both the public and policy makers in recent decades. A number of previous studies have called for …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Sustainable universities – a study of critical success factors for participatory approaches
Participatory approaches can be seen as a requirement, but also as a benefit to the overall paradigm change towards sustainable development and contribute towards the integration of sustainability concept into …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Implementation of sustainability in universities as perceived by faculty and staff – a model from a Swedish university
Education for sustainable development creates new challenges for universities where faculty and staff are expected to prepare students to meet complexities in society and take responsibility for sustainability, which scientists …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Comparing Sustainable Universities between the United States and China: Cases of Indiana University and Tsinghua University
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
- Temple University (PA)
It is widely accepted that universities can play critical roles in promoting sustainability. In the United States and China, many universities have initiated sustainability programs. Employing Indiana University, Bloomington, the …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Sustainability Reporting in Higher Education: Interconnecting the Reporting Process and Organisational Change Management for Sustainability
- Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Madrid)
- Utrecht University
- KU Leuven
Although there has been a considerable increase in the publication of sustainability reports in the corporate world in the last decade, sustainability reporting in higher education institutions is still in …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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Institutional Framework for Student-Led Sustainability Initiatives
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
The Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC) is a self-sustaining committee within the Association for Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN), otherwise known as UNL’s Student Government. The framework of the …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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Restructuring our Sustainability Advisory Committee to Increase Stakeholder Engagement and Advance Sustainability
- Missouri State University (MO)
In support of the University’s Sustainability Vision Statement, the Sustainability Advisory Committee created four new subcommittees, corresponding to the major STARS categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations and Planning and Administration. The …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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UBC Okanagan Whole Systems Infrastructure Plan - Aspiring toward Regenerative Sustainability
- University of British Columbia (BC)
This case study describes how UBC Okanagan created and leveraged an opportunity to develop an innovative, holistic campus sustainability plan that responds to UBC’s regenerative aspirations; what the Plan is; …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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The Virginia Tech Green RFP Program
- Virginia Tech (VA)
Student engagement is an important factor in advancing sustainability at Virginia Tech. The University created the “Request for Proposal for Sustainability Initiatives from Student Organizations Program (Green RFP Program)” to …
- Posted June 9, 2016
- Case Studies
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Implementing Sustainability in the Classroom at Université Laval
- Université Laval (QC)
Université Laval has embraced a global approach to sustainability education. Although sustainability has been addressed in the classroom by individuals in the past, it is now being articulated with a …
- Posted June 9, 2016
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Lowell Canal Bridges TIGER Grant: Campus-Community Partnerships Leveraging Transformative Change
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is a fast growing university nestled within our host community of the City of Lowell, Massachusetts. Lowell enjoys an authentic urban character structured …
- Posted June 9, 2016
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Green Restaurant Certification for Dining Halls and Restaurants
- Green Restaurant Association (MA)
Search over 500 restaurants to view the thousands of green steps they have implemented. Review the Green Restaurant® Education Section. Use the standards as a guidelines to help you make …
- Posted June 9, 2016
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Bringing KTH’s Environmental Performance to an Internationally Leading Level
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
This report analyses the types of international ratings/rankings available for universities to measure their sustainability performance. Sustainability has become an increasing topic of interest for universities to attract students as …
- Posted June 8, 2016
- Publications
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Framing a Turkish Campus Sustainability Assessment System
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Sustainable campus design and planning in Higher Education requires an entire action plan and coordination of physical, educational, and social systems. Many institutions in the world are defining their sustainable …
- Posted June 8, 2016
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Campus sustainability efforts: A study of the long-term impact of college and university sustainability programs
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)
The topic of this study is a new approach to understanding the effectiveness of campus sustainability efforts at American colleges and universities. A series of national sustainability organizations rate effectiveness …
- Posted June 8, 2016
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University of Minnesota, Morris student leads implementation of the Student Engagement Leadership Forum on Sustainability (SELFsustain) across the University of Minnesota-system
- University of Minnesota, Crookston (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Rochester (MN)
The University of Minnesota (U of M) is leading the way in cultivating student-driven sustainability leadership across Minnesota -- from the prairies to Lake Superior. For five years, U of …
- Posted June 7, 2016
- Case Studies
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Sustainability in Higher Education: Analysis and Selection of Assessment Systems
- Technische Universiteit Delft
There is a noticeable increase in interest with regards to sustainability in higher education. As institutions investigate, implement and market sustainability efforts, there is a myriad of sustainability assessment methodologies …
- Posted June 6, 2016
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Raise Your Voice: Environmental Justice at Capilano
- Capilano University (BC)
The idea for this event was to have an open idea sharing and focusing event regarding sustainability and environmental justice on campus. It was a chance to bring students together …
- Posted June 6, 2016
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A Model for Creating a Campus Sustainability Plan
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
There are ample excellent reasons why all workplaces should create a sustainability plan, including most importantly the health of the planet. Climate change threatens the biosphere, ocean, atmosphere, our water, …
- Posted June 6, 2016
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Carbon Neutral ExpoSaludable Fair Event in Bolivia
- Berea College (KY)
We calculated the carbon emissions released during the ExpoSaludable fair in Bolivia to offset our footprint by planting trees in Santa Cruz, the city where the event takes place. The …
- Posted June 6, 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.