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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Strategies for Building and Reinventing Effective Sustainability Committees
- New York University (NY)
Since 2006, our institution's sustainability initiatives have been shaped by a participatory, grassroots, volunteer-driven body comprised of faculty, students, and staff from across our decentralized urban campus. This Sustainability Task …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Institutional Transformation: Leadership Challenges in Achieving a Net-Zero Building
- Portland Community College (OR)
- Hennebery Eddy Architects (OR)
Meeting the end-goal of the 2030 Challenge and achieving Net-Zero energy is an uphill climb. Creating a paradigm shift within a large, public institution is on par with scaling Mt. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Students Collaborating and Organizing Opportunities and Projects for Sustainability (SCOOPS): Supporting student leaders, fostering collaboration, enhancing events, preventing burn-out
- Santa Clara University (CA)
Oftentimes student leaders have a lot of great ideas and want to do them all, but can't do it alone! Sustainability also is personal sustainability: people over-commit and get tired. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Leadership Programs: An Assessment of Paradigms and Methods
- University of Michigan (MI)
Academic programs purporting to create "sustainability leaders" are emerging at institutions of higher education across the U.S. and world. Designed to capitalize on student interest and professional development needs, these …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Campus Sustainability Cultural Indicators Project: Focus Groups Results
- University of Michigan (MI)
The University of Michigan is undertaking an ambitious project to identify, track and improve cultural indicators of sustainability on campus. The goal is to assess and find leverage points to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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STARS Introductory Workshop: Learning the Basics of Completing a Comprehensive Campus Sustainability Assessment (2012)
- Denison University (OH)
- AASHE (MA)
This workshop will focus on sharing basic information about the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Program created by the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's (AASHE). Join the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UCLA Action Research Teams: A Model for Collaborative Student-Staff-Faculty Research to Improve Campus Sustainability
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
The UCLA Action Research Team (ART) program is part of the student-led Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP) offered for credit through the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Adopting STARS as a Campus Sustainability Measuring System at a Japanese University: A Case of Hokkaido University
- Hokkaido University (Hokkaido)
STARS has various kinds of metrics which indicate campus sustainability from environmental, economic, and social point of views. This advantage of STARS consequently includes some metrics which cannot be directly …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Effectively Interpreting and Communicating about Campus Sustainability Initiatives
- University of Vermont (VT)
Successful efforts to increase sustainability at colleges and universities can have a large impact in conserving natural resources, saving money for the institutions of higher education, providing a role model …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Inside View on Factors That Affect Progress Towards Sustainability in Higher Education
- Antioch University Midwest (OH)
The magnitude of change required for most campuses to make significant progress towards sustainability is profound. In spite of the ever-increasing number of campuses hiring sustainability officers, directors, coordinators and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Adaptive Change Management for Sustainability at Loyola University Chicago
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Loyola University Chicago is the nation's largest Jesuit, Catholic university, with more than 16,000 students. Up until recently, sustainability has been lead from one strong department and basic green building …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Right Question: A Key Change Management Skill
- Society for College and University Planning (MI)
Sustainability professionals are asked to guide groups to decisions and to offer advice on a variety of issues. The starting question can make all the difference to a successful outcome. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Be Socially Sustainable: Bringing the Social into Sustainability Planning & Outreach
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Sustainability is out of balance, the environmental and economic aspects are tipping the scales at institutions of higher education and leaving the social aspects behind. As discussed in a recent …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Connecticut's Lead-by-Example Green Campus Initiative
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
It 's unusual when the planets align, and even more unusual when state policies, government reorganization, integrated resource planning and new leadership align to create a dramatic shift of focus …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Sustainable Village at UAF: A Student Driven and Focused Program
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)
What happens when building industry research leaders partner with college students to design and build a sustainable community on a college campus? A dynamic, first of its kind, evolving community- …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Case Study of Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirements for Higher Education Institutions
- University of California, Davis (CA)
Greenhouse gas (GHG) registries have been established in a number of states and several countries to provide organizations with a way to track their GHG emissions and develop long-term measures …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Combining Sustainability and Environmental Health and Safety Offices
- New Mexico State University, Grants (NM)
Environmental Health and Safety Office is the perfect department for Office of Sustainability to partner with. Cross campus collaboration in Facilities and Services is a natural fit for these two …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Development of a GIS to Manage Campus Resources Efficiently
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
California State University, Northridge enrolls 30,000 students each year. Efficient scheduling and use of resources is paramount to successful operations. To help facilitate this, a web application, "CSUN Facilities GIS …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green League: An Innovative Tool for Employee Learning & Engagement
- Michigan State University (MI)
This presentation will discuss the criteria and outcomes of a web-based game designed to engage foster a deeper understanding of sustainability for non-credit faculty and staff who are volunteer "environmental …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Funds 2.0: The Nitty-Gritty of Campus Sustainability Fund Management from the Ground Up
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of Vermont (VT)
A campus sustainability fund (also called green fund) is money available to campus community members for sustainability projects. Money for the fund may be from student fees, administrative budgets, or …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Comparative Analysis of University Bike Sharing Programs and Strategies for Success
- New York University (NY)
This presentation will share the findings of an operational analysis evaluating a spectrum of bicycle-sharing programs implemented at universities around the US. Programs have exhibited a wide range of sources …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Integrated Planning: A Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Imperative
- Society for College and University Planning (MI)
Join SCUP leaders and staff in a short presentation on integrated planning processes and a facilitated discussion, over lunch, of what it takes to create an effective planning process on …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Workshop: Measuring Campus Sustainability Around the World
- AASHE (MA)
- Environmental Association for Universities & Colleges (EAUC) (Gloucestershire)
- Hokkaido University (Hokkaido)
- Euromed Management (Marseille)
- Avans University of Applied Sciences
During the past few years, several robust assessments of campus sustainability have emerged around the globe. Among these assessments are Sustainability Tracking, Assesment & Rating System - STARS (US/Canada), Learning …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Keeping the Drive Alive: Avoiding Early Burnout and Navigating Roadblocks
- Babson College (MA)
College students are filled with boundless ideas and more than willing to coalesce around a cause they care for. Why is it then, that so many of these student-driven initiatives …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Presidents' Sustainability Roundtable
- Environmental Association for Universities & Colleges (EAUC) (Gloucestershire)
The Presidents' Sustainability Roundtable will be an outstanding venue to discuss how we advance the sustainability agenda in higher education and best maximize the impact of our leadership.
We are …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Mapping Renewable Energy Potential on Campus: A Case Study of a Strategic Green Fund Project
- University of Vermont (VT)
Wonder where the best solar, wind, geothermal opportunities are on your campus? In this session, we will present one institution's year long process to answer this question through the development …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Science as Business Restart
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
This paper and presentation explore President Stephen Mulkey's vision for organizational resilience under the banner of sustainability science. Unity College in Maine is engaged in a "business restart" that draws …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Achieving Sustainability Through Happiness
- University of Michigan (MI)
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that, "We need a new economic paradigm that recognizes the parity between the three pillars of sustainable development. Social, economic and environmental well-being are …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Improving Collections Efficiencies through Departmental Collaboration
- Appalachian State University (NC)
During these challenging economic times, it is important that colleges and universities find ways in which they can operate more efficiency, often with less resource availability. Appalachian State University has …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Envisioning and Planning a Multi-Year System-Wide Sustainable Energy Initiative
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Appalachian State University, in conjunction with system-wide resources from the 17-institution University of North Carolina system, is hosting the Appalachian Energy Summit on July 9-11, 2012 in Boone, North Carolina. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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STARS Data Sharing: Introduction to the STARS API
- AASHE (MA)
Since 2006, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), a membership organization of colleges and universities committed to building a sustainable world, has engaged in a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Southern Illinois University Sustainability Action Plan
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (IL)
Southern Illinois University Sustainability Action Plan (SIUSAP)
The main objective of this research is a comprehensive Southern Illinois University Sustainability Action Plan to advance the institution to become an innovative …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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STARS at CSUMB - The Ins and Outs of Institutional Self Assessment and the Aftermath
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
Our University President, Dr. Dianne Harrison, was among the earliest of the signatories of the President's Climate Commitment, back in 2007. Since then, the newly-formed sustainability committee has had the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Visioning Sustainability: a powerful student-led initiative at UVA
- University of Virginia (VA)
When students step back from initial impulses for traditional initiatives and develop a long-term vision of sustainability, powerful and lasting movements arise. The student-led vision casting can transform into a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Integrated Into the Mission and Across the Curriculum at Soka University of America
- Soka University of America (CA)
Soka University of America (SUA) is a small, private university located in the suburban community of Aliso Viejo, southern California. SUA offers a four-year B.A. in the Liberal Arts, with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Officers 1.0 to 2.0 Toolkit: Strategic and Sane Workload Management of People, Projects, and Programs on Your Campus
- Baylor University (TX)
- Duke University (NC)
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- University of Vermont (VT)
Sustainability staff are involved in many initiatives at a time, and often these are run in collaboration with multiple stakeholders. The Sustainability Office version 1.0 consisted of one staffer--it was …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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USU Bicycle Master Plan: Developing Unique Plan Components Specific to Campuses
- Utah State University (UT)
The purpose of the USU Bicycle Master Plan is to promote safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized modes of transportation on the Utah State University Campus. USU seeks to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UCSB Water Action Plan
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
Water use and water shortages have the ability to create economic, social, and political conflicts. Over much of California, water management issues are magnified by the state's growing population and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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What Information and Communication Technology Can Do To Green Your Campus: A Dutch Perspective
- Utrecht University
- University of Twente
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Maastricht University
- Wageningen University
With each passing year, sustainability becomes a more relevant topic for higher education institutions in the Netherlands. Similar to many countries, our institutions agreed to a collective ambition: to reduce …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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What if People Really Mattered? Designing a Socially Sustainable Workplace
- Case Western Reserve University (OH)
- Kent State University (OH)
- Maharishi University of Management (IA)
- The Social Design Group (OH)
Workers and workplace systems have been viewed and treated as having instrumental value for organizations to date, rather than given recognition of the full measure of their intrinsic value. Most …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Parkaholics Anonymous: A 12 Step Intervention
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)
Looking for ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and commuter impacts while increasing operational efficiencies and effectiveness? Discover how a land-locked university with 18,000+ students, growing enrollments, and shrinking parking …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Visualizing and Modeling the Drivers in a Holistic Built Environment: Social Justice through Spatial Tools
- Los Angeles Community College District (CA)
- Los Angeles Trade Technical College (CA)
Through years of teaching real projects in architecture and environmental design to a diverse mix of urban Los Angeles students, a new innovative model was born. The model drives change …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Officers Workshop: Leveraging Leadership for Campus Sustainability - Breakout Session 1
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
- Environmental Leadership Program (MD)
This workshop will focus on strengths-based leadership and systems thinking for the sustainability professional. Participants will map your own personal and professional strengths while considering how those strengths can move …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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How a Sustainability Office Can Transform Town/Gown Relationships
- Ball State University (IN)
- University of Chicago (IL)
Universities have long struggled with town/gown relationships, typically employing a community relations office to be its face and defender in the community. However, sustainability offices have a unique role to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Integrating Sustainability Across Sites and Programs: Creating a new Campus
- Chatham University (PA)
This session updates progress on a new sustainable campus and academic unit. This project integrates principles of sustainability across curriculum, research, facilities, purchasing, student life, and campus-community relations. In this …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Carbon Inventories
- Gordian (SC)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Clean Air-Cool Planet and Sightlines partnered in 2011 to redevelop the Campus Carbon CalculatorTM as a dynamic, web-based tool in order to streamline the transition from greenhouse gas analysis to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Carbon Calculator Transformed: A New Era in Campus Climate Action
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- Gordian (SC)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Over a decade of standardized measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions has played a critical role in advancing the ability of higher education to provide leadership in climate action. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Degree Awarding Curriculum in Relation to Student Loan Costs: The Importance of Post Education Metrics for Creating Sustainable Academic Programs
- University of Nevada, Reno (NV)
- Technische Universiteit Delft
Universities are tasked with educating and training the future leaders of society. This responsibility requires an appropriate mix of curriculum, activities and supporting environment so as to provide a favorable …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Small Campuses, Big Impacts: Making Sustainability Work in Smaller, Liberal Arts Schools
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Earlham College (IN)
- Furman University (SC)
- Luther College (IA)
In this panel presentation, teaching faculty and sustainability staff from several smaller, liberal arts schools will discuss the challenges and lessons learned in implementing sustainability across the curriculum, the co-curriculum, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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STARS Town Hall (2012)
- AASHE (MA)
This interactive session will feature a small panel of STARS Steering Committee members, Technical Advisors, and STARS staff who will address potential enhancements to the STARS Program as it moves …
- 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.