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
Getting an empirical hold of the sustainable university: a comparative analysis of evaluation frameworks across 12 contemporary sustainability assessment tools
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Although it is increasingly recognised that higher education institutions have to play a critical role in the progression towards a sustainable development, the question of what fields and issues universities …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Campus sustainability governance in Canada: A content analysis of post-secondary institutions’ sustainability policies
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
- Dalhousie University (NS)
Purpose
This paper aims to provide an overview of a content analysis of sustainability policies from Canadian post-secondary education institutions. The paper reports findings on the orientations to sustainability evident …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Job Market Sees Growing Demand For Sustainability Managers
Way back before the turn of the century (when we partied like it was 1999), I could count the number of real "sustainability managers" on my fingers and toes and …
- Posted April 15, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Conversations in Sustainability: The University of British Columbia
- University of British Columbia (BC)
"We have the chance, which doesn't come very often in human history, to make this fundamental change." The University of British Columbia is exploring and exemplifying new ways of addressing …
- Posted April 14, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
The State of Campus Resilience in the Face of a Changing Climate
- Haley & Aldrich, Inc. (MA)
- Society for College and University Planning (MI)
Climate-related events pose a major threat to college and university campuses across the country, and this is only expected to worsen as the climate continues to change. Along with an …
- Posted April 8, 2016
- Publications
- View more
STARS Silver for NAIT
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (AB)
NAIT’s environmentally friendly programs and initiatives have earned the institute a STARS Silver sustainability ranking, the highest of any Canadian polytechnic. NAIT was the first Canadian polytechnic to achieve a …
- Posted April 3, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
Pulling Up the Higher-Ed Ladder: Myth and Reality in the Crisis of College Affordability
This brief attempts to pinpoint the cause(s) of spiraling tuition by taking a deep dive into public university revenue and spending data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Delta …
- Posted March 31, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Sustainable Development Primer for Higher Education Presidents, Chancellors, Trustees and Senior Leaders
- Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) (PA)
This primer describes the sustainability related, crucial roles and tasks for presidents, trustees and senior leadership and explains how sustainability is a robust national trend in higher education. The primer …
- Posted March 30, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Higher Education’s Role in Adapting to a Changing Climate
- Second Nature (MA)
This report describes the role of colleges and universities in preparing society for a changing climate through their education, research, operations, and community engagement activities.
- Posted March 28, 2016
- Publications
- View more
AASHE Award Winner Webinar - Student Leadership for Campus and Community Sustainability
- University of Hawaii Maui College (HI)
- University of British Columbia (BC)
This webinar looks at two differing and successful approaches to deepening student engagement in campus and community projects that integrate sustainability into the fabric of the student experience. Both top …
- Posted March 17, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Dr. Stephen Mulkey Presents AASHE 2015 Opening Keynote Address
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
- AASHE (MA)
Dr. Mulkey has been the president at Unity College for more than four years ago. As president, he is a champion of sustainability science, which he sees as the defining …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
State of Sustainability: 10 Things to Know About Colorado State University
- Colorado State University (CO)
Colorado State has a long history as one of the nation’s most sustainable universities, but now CSU is the first university in the world to ever have its sustainability efforts …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Outreach Materials
- View more
AASHE Award Winner Webinar - Biodiversity-friendly Campuses
- Lewis & Clark College (OR)
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
- AASHE (MA)
- Audubon International (NY)
- Salmon Safe (OR)
Colleges and universities are playing a crucial role in protecting wildlife and restoring habitats on and off campus, and students, faculty, administrators, and staff are champions for sustainable environmental practices. …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Simple Key Facilities Benchmarks That Make a Difference
- National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) (DC)
Some campus personnel have the ability (time and expertise) to gather great detail on benchmarking. However, many campuses are not able to expend the time or expertise to be a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Bottleneck and breakthrough toward a sustainable campus – 4 years of challenges by Hokkaido University, Japan
- Hokkaido University (Hokkaido)
Hokkaido University (HU) is a pioneer institute, which have developed a campus master plan (CMP) in 2006. Then, there was a big movement in higher education for a sustainable campus …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability Course Designation: Values and Best Practices
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson is leading the way in integrating sustainability across the curriculum. As an innovative liberal arts college, over 96% of our Class of '15 students have taken sustainability-focused and related …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A New Model for Collaborative and Effective Campus Sustainability Decisions
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
An AASHE member and ACUPCC signatory, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In 2014, we developed a new model to engage both …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building Political Effectiveness and Accountability at a Student-Led Sustainability Office
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
The University of North Carolina Asheville is among a small group of colleges that chose to establish an entirely student-run, student fee-funded department to house sustainability efforts on campus. In …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Transformational Leadership Summit for College & University Executives & Senior Leaders
- Harvard University (MA)
Driving sustainability into an institution's core mission, positioning the institution to 'do well by doing good' is the complex leadership challenge of the 21st century. It requires the transformation of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Five-Year Evolution of Campus Sustainability Programs
- Bentley University (MA)
- Boston University (MA)
Many campus sustainability programs around the country are coming of age. Those programs which started between the years of 2008-2011 are reaching a critical turning point where their ability to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Retention, Graduate Rates, and Sustainability Literacy
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
In the current climate of increased governmental oversight of higher education and fiscal downturns, retention and graduation rates are being emphasized as key markers of an institution's success. Meanwhile, individual …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Professor Sustainability Coordinator': Maximizing the Potential of the Multiple Roles of the Sustainability Professional
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
Question: Where does the line between full-time Sustainability Professional and Faculty Member teaching about sustainability begin? Answer: There is no line! This case study presents a successful model for strengthening …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
STARS Express: How WPI Completed STARS in under 2.5 Months
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
- GreenerU (MA)
This session will describe how Worcester Polytechnic Institute was able to complete a high quality STARS 2.0 submission in just two and a half months. With support from GreenerU, WPI …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability Internship Programs at the University of Illinois at Chicago: Diversity Strengthens Leadership On and Off Campus
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
This case study will describe two internship programs that operate at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The goal of the Heritage Garden and Office of Sustainability (OS) internship …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building a Statewide Sustainability Strategy in Higher Education (2015)
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
This case study will describe the first two years of developing the system-wide University of Hawaii (UH) Sustainability Strategy. In January 2014 the Board of Regents of the University of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Moving towards Water Sustainability on Campus: A Collaborative Approach
- Weber State University (UT)
Rising water stress in the American West demands that campuses in this region plan proactively for wiser water use. At WSU, a partnership between faculty researchers and operations staff has …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Setting Building Energy Use Goals: Tracking Climate Action Plan targets and successes
- Ball State University (IN)
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
This panel discussion will share the experience of three campuses in setting energy use goals for campus facilities. As energy and sustainability managers, the presenters will share their approaches to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Facing of Failure and How to Use it to Work Towards Your Sustainability Goals
- American University (DC)
- College of Charleston (SC)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
AASHE Conferences are great for discussing successes: they help guide burgeoning institutions, provide expansion support to veteran institutions, and help build the case for sustainability. But what about failures? This …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability Science in Curriculum and the Campus Decision-making Plan
- University of Hawaii Maui College (HI)
Sustainability science requires the use of systems thinking skills and problem driven analysis to address the need for broad, holistic responses to persistent societal problems. This presentation will 1) describe …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Beyond Offsets: Innovative approaches to achieving and exceeding our climate commitments
- Amherst College (MA)
- Hampshire College (MA)
- Smith College (MA)
- Williams College (MA)
- Living Routes, Inc. (MA)
Climate change is a defining issue of our time, and colleges and university are leading the way by setting ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. Many of us are even striving …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Collaborating Campus Efficiencies with Finance Folks
- Carleton College (MN)
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
- National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) (DC)
Campus finance officers have the unique opportunity to develop, support, and implement campus sustainability goals. All campuses have major leaders in these finance officers that may, or may not, be …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Navigating the STARS 2.0 Experience: From Data Collection to Strategic Planning
- Emory University (GA)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
One of the most important attributes of AASHE's STARS 2.0 framework is to allow institutions to understand all aspects of their sustainability performance, benchmark their sustainability performance against both other …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building a Sustainable Future at the University of Alberta
- University of Alberta (AB)
The University of Alberta's first institution-wide sustainability plan is due to expire in January 2016. To prepare for a new plan, the Office of Sustainability coordinated and facilitated a process …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Pioneering a Process for Conducting a Greenhouse Gas Inventory
- Saint Louis University (MO)
It is becoming best interest for institutions of higher education to quantify their carbon footprint. Many colleges and universities have started measuring this by conducting a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability as a Framework for Addressing Executive Leadership Priorities
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- Purdue University (IN)
Faced with ongoing budget cuts, cost reduction campaigns, and top to bottom reviews of programs and policies, public research universities have approached a critical juncture. As sustainability professionals embedded in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
CLICS: Using Cyber-infrastructure to Bring Data from Campus Sustainability Efforts into the Classroom
- Clarkson University (NY)
CLICS (Cyber-Learning Infrastructure for Campus Sustainability) is a cyber-learning tool developed to transform data from campus sustainability projects in a way that can be used in a wide variety of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Tools for Sustainability Master Plans: Key Performance Indicators & Campus Investments
- Kirksey Architecture (TX)
A rapid growth of STARS in last decade has established Sustainability Master Plans (SMPs) at over 300 universities nationwide. SMPs are using metrics like 'Energy Use Intensity', '% total expenditures' …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Engaging Your Campus Community in Sustainability Planning
- University of Alberta (AB)
The University of Alberta's first institution-wide sustainability plan is due to expire in January 2016. To prepare for a new plan, the Office of Sustainability coordinated and facilitated a process …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Designing for Scalability: How to take campus solutions to scale for maximum impact around the globe
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- Portland State University (OR)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
Campus sustainability has the unique potential to bring new knowledge and innovative solutions to bear on the world's greatest climate challenges. Campuses serve as ideal incubators – test beds – …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Data Integration to Advance Operational Sustainability
- Saint Louis University (MO)
The development, use and integration of sustainability-related indicators into existing performance programs increases the potential management of indicators to promote sustainable decision-making. Participation in programs like STARS has provided the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability Success is Written in the STARS
- Texas A&M University (TX)
AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) has been an invaluable tool in benchmarking sustainability measures, integrating sustainability into the assessment process, and creating high-level buy-in at Texas A&M …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
7 years & 1,854,472 tonnes: A collaborative journey toward climate stabilization
- LHB, Inc. (MN)
Moving beyond good intentions, Rosemount, a rapidly growing Minneapolis exurb, is taking a leadership role in planning for significant city-wide greenhouse gas reductions. As a participant in Minnesota's GreenStep Cities …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Value of Flexibility: A Case Study of Stanford's Cardinal Green Office Program
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford's Cardinal Green Office Program harnesses the actions of individual building occupants to achieve resource savings. Over the past five years, the program has become an effective communication, education and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Using Super Decisions Software for Sustainability Decision-Making
- Ohio University (OH)
Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) encompasses many techniques which utilize objective, numerically-based algorithms to choose between alternatives. The complexity of the multiple sustainability criteria of the people, planet, profit triple …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing a Successful Student Sustainability Internship Program on a Liberal Arts Campus
- Colgate University (NY)
In this case study, we will walk attendees through the development process of Colgate's Sustainability Internship program that I have worked with from its creation through its current iteration. In …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Bottled Water Policy: The six-year journey
- Bemidji State University (MN)
- College of Saint Benedict (MN)
Years of thoughtful research, consideration, and communication with other universities went into the creation of the Bottled Water Policy created by the Bemidji State University Student Senate in 2015. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Using LEED-EBOM 4 for Smeal Business Building and LEED Campus to Launch LEED for the Pennsylvania State University Park Campus
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- Leonardo Academy (WI)
This presentation addresses how a campus can use the implementation of LEED-EBOM version 4 for one building and LEED Campus to launch LEED campus wide. The project shows how undergraduate …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Embracing the Silos: The Benefits of Disciplinary Purity in Achieving Campus Sustainability in Waste Reduction
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
Since the Great Recession, UCSC has not employed a Recycling Coordinator with the interdepartmental authority to administer the campus vision of waste reduction as planned for the campus Zero Waste …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Seeing STARS: Sustainability and Strategic Planning
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
This case study will outline how Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came to be one of the first schools to include sustainability as a goal in its new strategic plan, using …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Systems Toolbox for Sustainability
- Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MN)
All of life and design consists of system. We are composed of systems and contained in systems. Creating meaningful change requires that we know how to find, describe, design, fix, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- 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.