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
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New Resources
Greening Universities Toolkit: Transforming universities into green and sustainable campuses
- United Nations Environment Programme
The focus of this Toolkit is to provide University staff and students with a selection of strategies, tools and resources, gleaned from the literature, from global case studies and from …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Why We Submitted a STARS Report Two Years In A Row
- Babson College (MA)
If you recently completed STARS, you may be basking in the idea of not having to do it again for another few years. You might be reading the title of …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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STARS Blog: Advancing Sustainability during the Summer Transition
- AASHE (MA)
Today more than ever, summer is a season of intense transition and opportunity at colleges and universities – an ideal time for advancing campus sustainability. While a new cohort of …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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STARS Facts: Strengths and Challenges for Two Year Institutions
- AASHE (MA)
Gearing up for the launch of STARS 2.0 in 2013, the STARS team is developing and refining ideas for STARS that will raise the bar for advancing sustainability in higher …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Cool Campuses?! The National Movement for Campus Climate Action Deserves High Grades But a Greater Effort is Needed to Address the Growing Climate Crisis
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
- Cornell University (NY)
- Ithaca College (NY)
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
- Tompkins Cortland Community College (NY)
- Ball State University (IN)
Who will lead this energy revolution? One hopeful possibility is higher education. As one example, many institutions of higher education are already involved through the American College & University Presidents …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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2012 Higher Education Sustainability Review
- AASHE (MA)
The 2012 Higher Education Sustainability Review outlines 2012 AASHE Bulletin trends in three areas: New Developments, Changing Dynamics, Areas of Prevalence. Highlights from over 40 institutions are included, summarizing innovative …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Death of Campus Sustainability? I Don’t Think So!
- AASHE (MA)
In a recent blog, Dave Newport, Director of the Environmental Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder, AASHE board member, and colleague began tolling the bell over the “Death …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Death of Campus Sustainability
OK, starting with a title like “The Death of Campus Sustainability” could easily be seen as cheap, manipulative, sensational, or simply wrong. And yes, the implicit reference to Shellenberger and …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Sustainable University: Green Goals and New Challenges for Higher Education Leaders
While almost seven hundred chief executive officers have signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, several thousand have yet to do so. This book identifies four of the …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Operational Analysis: Green Grants Program
- New York University (NY)
This Operational Analysis is an overall description of how New York University's Green Grants Program is functioning, including how well the program supports its stakeholders, grantees, staff and how the …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Comparative Analysis of Campus Greening Grant Programs at U.S. Post-Secondary Institutions
- New York University (NY)
This document compares New York University's Green Grants program with twelve similar campus sustainability granting programs within the United States. It has been prepared as part of an internal review …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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A Sustainability Fund at Rensselaer: A Policy Analysis and Guide for the Future
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY)
The sustainability fund, also known as a green fund, has been introduced at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada in the past two decades as a methodology …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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A Study of the Implementation of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System
- American University (DC)
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) is rapidly becoming the leading sustainability reporting tool for higher education. This research presents an analysis of STARS' strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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2011 Higher Education Sustainability Review
- AASHE (MA)
Looking through the lens of AASHE Bulletin stories in 2011, this year's review reveals an increased focus on higher education access, affordability, and success; more green building efforts than ever …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Sustainability and Catholic Higher Education: A Toolkit for Mission Integration
- Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities (DC)
Eight U.S. Catholic organizations published this toolkit in partnership with AASHE. It is designed for Catholic colleges and universities to strengthen Catholic mission and sustainability on campus and publicly commit …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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An Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Taylor University
- Taylor University (IN)
This is a master's thesis project for the Department of Environmental Science at Taylor University in Upland, IN. It is focused on sustainability which requires considering the social, economic, and …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Student Green Fund Implementation in U.S. Colleges and Universities from 1973-2010
- Harvard University (MA)
- 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. The campus sustainability movement, an outgrowth of the environmental …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Perception and Organizational Outcomes in Higher Education Sustainability Inquiry
- The College of Saint Scholastica (MN)
The concept of sustainability has become a topic of prime consideration for government and business alike in the 21st century, both in terms of its conceptual definition and practical application. …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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University Avenue Redevelopment: Prioritizing Pedestrians and the Environment
- Dalhousie University (NS)
This report presents a redevelopment plan for the main road on the Dalhousie University campus in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The plan is designed to achieve three goals: promote active transportation, …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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2010 Higher Education Sustainability Review
- AASHE (MA)
Revealing new ways of thinking about and incorporating sustainability into campus operations, planning and curriculum, the "2010 Campus Sustainability Review" takes a look at the higher education sustainability movement through …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Are Canadian Universities Taking Sustainability Seriously? A case study analysis of sustainability initiatives at three Canadian campuses and the lessons decision-makers can learn from these efforts
- Carleton University (ON)
This study attempts to answer the question 'are universities taking sustainability seriously'? Specifically, this paper examines the extent higher education institutions have institutionalized sustainability into their decision-making processes. It investigates …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Climate Neutral Campus Report
- U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
- AASHE (MA)
This report by Kyoto Publishing, in collaboration with AASHE and USGBC, aims to educate major stakeholders about the successful initiatives and rapid return on investment that colleges and universities are …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Higher Education Leadership Stages and Strategies that Relate to Campus Environmental Sustainability at U.S. Colleges and Universities
- Mercer University (GA)
This study explored and described leadership strategy implementation stages that related to the development of environmental sustainability on college and university campuses within the United States. The goals of the …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Cool Campus! A How-To Guide for College and University Climate Action Planning
- AASHE (MA)
This manual is designed to assist colleges and universities in creating climate action plans. It is intended to fill the gap in currently available resources by outlining a how-to approach …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Evaluating the Sustainability Tracking, Assesment and Rating System (STARS) at The Evergreen State College
- Evergreen State College, The (WA)
Higher education provides an ideal setting for engaging in the dialogue of sustainability while creating opportunities to integrate sustainability into society today. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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UC San Diego vs. Preuss Ecology Club - Top Down vs Bottom Up
- University of California, San Diego (CA)
For a university like UC San Diego (UCSD), it appears that they are at the forefront of most innovative environmental projects and objectives. However, as they continue to receive national …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Institutionalization of Sustainability at Willamette University A Case Study
- Willamette University (OR)
This case study will explore how Willamette evolved from its early beginnings in environmentalism, with various independent projects throughout campus, to becoming nationally recognized for its cohesive institutions that facilitate …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Assessing UT-Austin's Roadmap to Sustainability
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
Like many other schools and organization, The University of Texas at Austin faces a near future in which entities of all sizes are held to greater accountability for their environmental …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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AASHE Digest 2009
- AASHE (MA)
Includes over 1,250 stories that catalog a broadening and deepening commitment to campus sustainability by colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. The 380-page report categorizes stories from nearly …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Sustainability at Universities - Opportunities, Challenges and Trends
This book provides a concrete contribution towards the goal of fostering sustainability at universities, by especially focusing on opportunities, challenges and trends. It contains a wide range of papers written …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Budgeting for Energy Conservation
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Budgeting for Energy Conservation proposes an innovative approach to mobilize the schools and centers of the University of Pennsylvania to conserve energy. A clear and effective roadmap for the transition …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Campus Climate Planning: A Best Practices Guide
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
The purpose of this guide is to provide decision makers at colleges and universities with best practices for developing climate plans at their campuses in order to avert dire consequences. …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Sustaining Campus Sustainability: Factors Leading to Success of Environmental Sustainability Initiatives in Higher Education
- Northwestern University (IL)
What factors lead to the successful implementation and ongoing success of environmental sustainability programs and policies on college campuses? To find out, one may examine institutions' self-reported successful environmental sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Campus Ecological Footprint of Carnegie Mellon University
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
As Carnegie Mellon University is a rapidly growing and international educational institution with more number of campus members and visitors, the impacts of the school on ecological footprint are fast …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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It's Not Easy Being Green: Assessments and Strategies for Sustainable Institutions
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Colleges and universities in the United States are responsible for 3 to 9 percent of domestic climate change emissions and have about 16% of the US population currently enrolled. Bringing …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Role of Sustainability in Higher Education
- Empire State College (NY)
Colleges and universities are often thought of as the places where young people pursue their educations, graduate and then enter the work force, but they are much more. With populations …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Towards regenerative development: A methodology for university campuses to become more sustainable, with a focus on the University of South Florida
- University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
The administrations of several universities have developed strategies to reduce the negative environmental effects created by their institutions. Because no single, comprehensive methodology to guide institutions to sustainability exists, these …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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AASHE Digest 2008
- AASHE (MA)
Includes over 1,350 stories that illustrate the continued expansion of sustainability practices into every sector of campus. Initiatives from nearly 700 institutions are organized into 28 chapters, spanning education and …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Green Campus: Meeting the Challenge of Environmental Sustainability
This sustainability anthology explores the meaning of genuine environmental sustainability—in global and local terms—while profiling excellent campus environmental programs. The book offers guidance and inspiration to campus leaders and advocates …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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University Reform in an Era of Global Warming
In order to address global warming and other environmental issues in higher education, there must be a change in the role of the university. Many of the cultural assumptions and …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Organizational networks as catalysts for strategic sustainable development
- Blekinge Institute of Technology
In an increasingly connected and interdependent world, the global sustainability challenge needs to be addressed by organizational networks from a whole-systems perspective. This study explores organizations through the lens of …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Going Green on Campus: Sustainability in Offices at Santa Clara University
- Santa Clara University (CA)
A group of students enrolled in Santa Clara University's Applied Sociology course Fall 2007 conducted both a survey and individual interviews with office administrators to collect data on what is …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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A Commitment to Climate Neutrality at the University of Massachusetts Amherst: Environmental urgency and financial prudence
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
In the past year, the ambitious goal of climate neutrality has exploded out of the higher education sustainability movement, with over 450 schools, including the entire University of Massachusetts system, …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Sustainability of Western Kentucky University: An examination of environmental policy, performance, and potential for change
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
Institutions of higher learning are in a pivotal position to address the environmental problems that global society faces now, but response to this challenge requires transformation in priorities and practices. …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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A community-based social marketing campaign to green the offices at Pacific University: Recycling, paper reduction and environmentally preferable purchasing
- Antioch University (OH)
This study describes a community-based social marketing (CBSM) research project to bring awareness and behavior change around paper reduction, recycling, and purchasing of environmentally preferred products (EPP) at a small …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Prototyping a campus sustainability management system
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
A growing number of cities and universities have created sustainability plans that include specific environmental, social, and economic performance goals. Sustainability metrics or indicators are often used to track progress …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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AASHE Digest 2007
- AASHE (MA)
Includes over 800 stories about higher education institutions that are leading the way to a sustainable future. It is organized into 24 chapters spanning education, research, campus operations, administration, and …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Campus Climate Action and Multilevel Environmental Governance
The growing recognition that the future of the climate regime may also lie in strong local and regional initiatives (Dimitrov, et al., 2004) stems from the belief that our familiar …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Environmental sustainability plan for the University of Southern California
- University of Southern California (CA)
The purpose of this project was to compare the characteristics of environmental sustainability programs at leading institutions with those already in place, while not formalized, at the University of Southern …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education: New Directions for Institutional Research
This volume details sustainability issues in institutional research (IR) and covers: the sustainability challenges we face as institutions, individuals, and the particular need for educational institutions to embrace and address …
- Posted Feb. 24, 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.