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.
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Improving Residence Hall Waste Disposal
- Santa Clara University (CA)
Waste diversion can be difficult to undergo on college campuses since it not only requires students, faculty, and staff to collectively work towards a zero-waste goal, but also extensive education …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Envisioning the Resilient Campus: Planning for Reduced Campus Energy Consumption through Data Analysis and Visualization at St. Olaf College
- St. Olaf College (MN)
Campuses are making great strides to integrate sustainability into their operations and planning through initiatives such as STARS and the ACUPCC. However, while campus master plans may include a section …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Socially Just Sustainable Office Certification Program
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Planning an office certification that encompasses all aspects of sustainability can be achieved with careful planning. It can actively engage faculty and staff to be more aware of sustainable practices …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Student Engagement to Drive AASHE STARS
- University at Buffalo (NY)
Our University, like many other institutions of higher education has engaged in AASHE STARS. During the Spring 2012 semester, our institution piloted a unique approach to gathering the massive amount …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Clicking Towards Campus Sustainability: Creating an Integrated University-Wide Sustainability Portal
- University at Buffalo (NY)
These days, there are countless ways to get the information we want, and even some that we don't! In an age of information overload, having a single point of entry …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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From a Maze to Amazing!
- University of Arizona (AZ)
The University of Arizona's Sustainability Team will be hosting an open conversation to discuss the different perspectives their team has had based on their position and their experiences surrounding sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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WORK Bright Green-Building a Community Through Staff Sustainability Training
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
This session will share the recent experience of offering the first ever staff training on campus sustainability in an effort to expand the environmental community and stewardship efforts. The presentation …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bringing Your Green Fund to the Next Level: Creating Tomorrow's Leaders Through Student-Driven Internal Growth and Leadership Development
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
Campus Green Funds are a necessary component for any college campus striving towards sustainability goals, though few realize its full potential. Since its inception in 1999, the student organization, Associated …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Egos, Money And Power: How Higher Education's Leadership and Governance Paradigm Limits Sustainability-And How To Transform That Culture
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Higher education faces critical and unprecedented technological, demographic, academic, ethical, environmental, and financial challenges that threaten its core business model. But academe's intransigent, centuries old governance system - with its …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Infrastructure at the University of Louisville
- University of Louisville (KY)
On August 4, 2009 a storm hit the University of Louisville with 7" of rain in 30 minutes. Although not located on a stream or river, flooding damage exceeded $22 …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Utilizing an Annual Sustainability Report and New Media to Enhance Marketing and Awareness of Campus Sustainability Efforts
- University of South Carolina (SC)
This poster will guide the audience through the process of creating a visually appealing and interactive annual report as well as highlight new media approaches to marketing your campus sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Strategic Sustainability Planning for Change: Lessons from the University of the District of Columbia
- University of the District of Columbia (DC)
Simply put, Strategic Sustainability Planning determines where a university is going regarding its sustainability efforts over the next year or more, how it's going to get there and how it'll …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Creating and Maintaining Relations through a Changing Campus Ecology
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (WI)
The campus ecology of the University of Eau Claire Wisconsin has helped to shape current and future construction projects to mindfully approach the improvement of the campus environment. The establishment …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Launching Green Office and Green Event Certification
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
Certification programs that encourage best practices for sustainable actions were developed for campus organizations as a means of educating and recognizing staff and students. It was also viewed as an …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Roadmap to Increased Waste Diversion
- Waste Management (TX)
In order to drive and support sustainability goals on campus and to specifically increase waste diversion, Waste Management has worked with many university partners to both drive and assess campus …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Squeezing Water Out of Rocks: Two Years of the Sustainability Fee at Western Michigan University
- Western Michigan University (MI)
On April 15, 2010 our Board of Trustees approved a student initiated Sustainability Fee. Fourteen-thousand square feet of student gardens, ten-thousand travel mugs, hundreds of worms, fifty internships, sixteen grant …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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An Evaluation of Effective Structures for Campus Sustainability Programs at Institutions of Higher Education
- College of William & Mary (VA)
The need for sustainability in both the education and operations of colleges and universities has inspired many to launch sustainability programs on their campuses. As institutions of higher education invest …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Striving and Planning for Zero Waste
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Many universities are now striving to become 'Zero Waste' campuses, where all materials are diverted away from a landfill or incinerator through recycling and composting efforts. This lofty, but important, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Student-Led Sustainability Fund at The University of British Columbia
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Through holding a referendum in March 2011, students have established a fund for the selection of sustainability projects. A sustainability fund marketing launch plan has been developed by partnering with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Place of Sustainability in the University Strategic Plan
- DePaul University (IL)
Sustainability plans can often inform broader university strategic plans. At DePaul University in Chicago, we draft a new university strategic plan (USP) every six years. Our USP usually contains six …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Estimating the energy and greenhouse gas emissions embedded in metered water at the University of Arizona
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Located in the center of the Tucson metropolitan area, the University of Arizona obtains its water from a system of on-site wells and a municipal water system that includes significant …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Accelerating Participation in Sustainability through Strategic Communications and Engagement Programs
- University of Calgary (AB)
Effectively communicating sustainability to a diverse campus community exceeding 35,000 individuals is challenging. This challenge is amplified when the goal of those communications is to instigate positive behavioral changes that …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Strategic Mobility Plan for Campus Sustainability in Transportation
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
To encourage the campus commuting population, a three-pronged Strategic Mobility Plan was created to increase ridesharing and on-campus walking and biking through education, facility improvements, and program development. The plan …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Institutionalizing Innovation: Student Government "sustainability"" bodies and roles"
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Once students (via student clubs or individually) begin experimenting with efforts to make their programs/campuses/communities more sustainable, additional leaders pick them up and want to incorporate such experiences and benefits …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Measure, Message, Motivate: building an inclusive and empowered campus sustainability culture
- Yale University (CT)
Campuses around the world are tracing sustainability metrics, but how do we communicate those measurements in a way that engages and empowers students, staff, and faculty?
Our university has developed …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Addressing Behavior
- Boston University (MA)
To bring about campus sustainability we must provide an infrastructure, modify operations and change the expectations and behavior of our campus communities. To raise awareness, education our faculty and staff, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Setting better environmental goals: baselines are just the beginning!
- New York University (NY)
Setting goals and targets based upon future outcomes, rather than past performance, is the next step for institutions aiming to achieve high levels of environmental performance. Most AASHE member institutions …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building Multidisciplinary Sustainability Programs in the Comprehensive Universities
- Frostburg State University (MD)
Developing a new program frequently requires the cooperation of faculty from many different departments who face heavy demands on their time and expertise. Gaining the cooperation and commitment of faculty …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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USGBC's Roadmap to a Green Campus: Lessons Learned on the Path to Campus Sustainability
- Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (MA)
Colleges and universities are making great strides on the journey to a sustainable future. In response to the growing momentum, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sub-institutional Planning for Sustainability: developing community-scale concepts and actions
- Yale University (CT)
Universities around the world are developing and implementing institutional-scale sustainability strategic plans. Most of these strategies emphasize the three-way balance of sustainability and include concepts and tactics for communications. At …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Mastering the Climate Action Plan: Managing Implementation Strategies from Diverse Campus Perspectives
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
In the last two years, over one-third of those institutions that signed the American Colleges and University Presidents Climate Commitment have submitted their Climate Action Plan (CAP). These plans range …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Creating an Energy Management Program from Limited Resources, Expertise and Funding
- Meredith College (NC)
This session will examine methods to establish an energy management program at a small college. Using a women's college in Raleigh, North Carolina as a case study, the presentation will …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing and implementing a robust and sustainable student green fund: Recommendations from Sustainability Officers
- University of Vermont (VT)
College campuses across the U.S. and abroad have seen a growth of student campaigns to take institutional action on climate change. One of the barriers to implementing sustainability initiatives on-campus …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Implementing a Systems Approach to Sustainability versus Behavior Modification
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
Consider the difficulties a rider faces in trying to get an elephant to take a new path as opposed to a well-worn and less rigorous path. Promoting increased levels of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Sustainability Officers Communications and Project Management Toolkit- Organizational Tips for Long-Term Sanity
- University of Vermont (VT)
Do you feel like you have a million projects going on at your campus? Are you having a difficult time keeping track of and managing these projects? This briefing will …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Owning Your Recycling Infrastructure: How to Understand It, Manage It, & Improve It
- The Ohio State University (OH)
At many institutions large and small it is difficult to understand, manage, and improve your recycling infrastructure. It is especially difficult, if you entered the picture after it already started. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Free Google Tools to Manage Sustainability Projects
- Luther College (IA)
Google has many free, user-friendly tools that can easily be used to turn your sustainability department into a well-oiled, student driven machine. In addition to an overview of Google Docs …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Master Planning: Aligning Strategy with Sustainability
- Delta College (MI)
For institutions who may be hesitant about adopting benchmarking programs that have defined standards and requirements, this presentation will illustrate how voluntary reporting mechanisms can be a toolkit for systematically …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Low-Carbon Study Abroad: A Greenhouse Gas Inventory of an International Education Office
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
This poster will present the findings of a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory of an international education office at a US university. The assessment will measure GHG emissions related to office …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Model for Implementing a Successful Sustainability Strategy
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Sun Tzu said, "Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat." This is true today. Implementation of a successful sustainability program …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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STARS and GRI: Finding the Common Ground
- Ball State University (IN)
This paper describes a comparative examination of these respective Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and makes clear the value in using both reporting tools as universities seek to position their sustainability efforts …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Business Case for Sustainable Procurement of Office Supply Commodities at West Virginia University
- West Virginia University (WV)
Today, sustainability in higher education is permeating beyond conventional green practices into purchasing, spending, and investment decisions. It is seen as an opportunity to minimize costs, reduce negative impacts, and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Natural Environment Planning for the Urban Campus
- Dalhousie University (NS)
Dalhousie University is located in the heart of the urban core. The Office of Sustainability, with committee guidance, has developed a natural environment plan for the University. The plan considers …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Maximizing Dorm Energy Savings with Intelligent HVAC Controls
- New York University (NY)
Universities can reduce their HVAC energy use in Residence Halls by 25-32% by installing occupancy based thermostat controls. Traditionally when occupants are allowed to heat and cool as much as …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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An Overview of Biomass Energy Technologies for Campuses
- Biomass Energy Resource Center (VT)
Biomass is a renewable energy option that can be used for heating, cooling, power, and combined heat and power for college and university campuses. There are many biomass technology options, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Analysis of Successes, Failures, and Characteristics of an Established Campus Sustainability Granting Program
- New York University (NY)
In 2011, our university conducted the first full operational analysis of its campus sustainability granting program, one of the most established such programs in the nation. Our program offers grants …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energy Isn't "Free"
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Our university recently undertook a campuswide program designed to ensure that the excellence of our administrative environment matches its research and teaching, and to direct the maximum level of resources …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Annual Sustainability Reporting: Outputs versus Outcomes
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Many universities report on their progress toward sustainability goals. The reports detail a range of sustainability metrics and information, from those contained in greenhouse gas inventories to waste, water, purchasing, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Identifying Energy Conservation Measures. Tailoring Retro-commissioning to meet your needs.
- New York University (NY)
Retro-commissioning (RCx) has been identified as a definitive way to determine Energy Conservation Measures at an often less than one year payback. This briefing will discuss lessons learned and best …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Water Management Planning at Universities
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
As bulk consumers of water, universities can have a significant impact on their community's water resources. One particular public university in Virginia consumes over one million gallons of potable water …
- Posted Feb. 26, 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.