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
New Resources
STARS at Hartwick College: Classroom Leadership for Campus Change
- Hartwick College (NY)
Hartwick College students enrolled in an Honors Mini-Seminar "The Sustainable Campus" utilized the STARS reporting tool to evaluate campus sustainability efforts. Students undertook a three-fold approach to measuring sustainability: they ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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STARS as a tool for planning
- University of Mount Union (OH)
AASHE's STARS program is a valuable resource for planning and implementing a campus sustainability program. Our campus worked with the STARS pilot program and used the organizational structure of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Sustainability Stewards: Low-Cost Change Agents with Value-Added Professional Experience
- Daemen University (NY)
As academic institutions focus on meeting sustainability goals, they face challenges in funding for programs and staffing to address them. Creating a student internship program can meet some of the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Next Big Thing: Sustainability as a Core Strategic Imperative
- Second Nature (MA)
The campus sustainability movement has been gaining momentum for more than a decade and yet it still adds up to little more than an itemized list of ad hoc actions ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Training Needs of University Sustainability Managers
- Kent State University (OH)
As colleges and universities continue to increase their engagement with sustainability, questions arise concerning the hiring requirements and professional support for the jobs of Sustainability Managers and Sustainability Coordinators. This ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The NSSE Sustainability Education Consortium: A First Year Report
- Green Mountain College (VT)
In fall 2010, eight institutions formed a consortium to assess student engagement in sustainability education across the curriculum. The consortium adds 20 sustainability questions to the National Survey of Student ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Short-term intervention, long-term change: two case studies from the University of Toronto
- University of Toronto (ON)
The duration of campus sustainability campaigns is often limited by available staff, student, volunteer hours and/or funding. As a result, many programs can only run for short periods of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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State-funded, but not a Flagship: Is Sustainability Possible?
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
Sustainability has become a key initiative at many campuses nationwide, as evidenced by the number of campuses enrolled in reporting systems like AASHE STARS or evaluated on lists such as ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Certified Paper: An Integral Part of Sustainable Practices on Campus
- University of San Diego (CA)
- Domtar Corporation (SC)
Forest certification was launched over a decade ago to help protect forests from destructive logging practices and demonstrate to consumers that a wood or paper product comes from forests managed ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Holisitc Approach to Rio+20
- AASHE (MA)
Join the discussion about the upcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD.
The Conference will take place in Brazil on June 4-6 June 2012 to mark the 20th anniversary ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Green Book: The National Academy of Science Framework for Sustainability at EPA.
- AASHE (MA)
In 2010 the US EPA asked the National Research Council's Science and Technology for Sustainability Program to convene a committee to provide an operational framework for integrating sustainability as ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Sustainability Officers Workshop Part II
- AASHE (MA)
Reflection on the learning that took place in Part I.
A presentation and discussion about the nature of the campus sustainability profession, its evolution over time both generally and within ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) 101 (2011)
- AASHE (MA)
Since 2006, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) has engaged in a broadly participative process with the higher education and sustainability communities in developing the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing and implementing a stakeholder engagement process for redesigning your website - lessons from the AASHE.ORG redesign
- AASHE (MA)
In January 2011, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) relaunched its website with a major reorganization of content and a new design. One of our ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing Spaces That Support Cultural Change
- AASHE (MA)
Intelligent, connected, and wireless. Our culture is changing rapidly and Generation Y is in the driver's seat. The fast-paced, interactive discussion Designing Spaces That Support Cultural Change explores the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Habitat Preservation in Agnes Scott's Urban Forest: Arboretum Guide
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
Striving to sustainably maintain a campus landscape is on the horizon for all college's and universities' agendas. The Arboretum Guide will educate the wider community about the many assets ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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GHG Inventories and the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment: Benchmarking and Analysis
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
The higher education field lacks benchmarking methods in the area of greenhouse gas emission inventories. This study establishes useful benchmarks by examining the measurable characteristics of climate zone, size, and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Academic Computing Through Centralized Virtualization
- Alfred State College (NY)
Computer and information technology students require 24 hour access to powerful desktop computer workstations in order to complete lab assignments that may involve several virtual client and server computers. The ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building a Broad-Based Campus Sustainability Council
- Appalachian State University (NC)
To institutionalize sustainability, these efforts need to empower the entire institution. One way to achieve this is to create a series of leaders who drive sustainability policy, goals, and progress ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Integrating Sustainability Principles in Human Resource Operations
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." In that spirit, Human Resource Services and the Office of Sustainability set ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Transitioning Sustainability/STARS Data Into Institutional Data
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The AASHE STARS program has given sustainability directors and coordinators a great tool to legitimize their efforts in diverse and hard-to-reach corners of campus operations and academia. For many colleges ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Staff Sustainability Literacy - Developing the Training Module
- Arizona State University (AZ)
An informed staff is a key component for the successful implementation of a comprehensive sustainability practices vision. In today's work environment, a university often requires fire safety training, defensive ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Future Planning for a Sustainable Campus
- Arup (NY)
Colleges and universities operate like cities at a much smaller scale. They are faced with similar complexities such as providing their communities with an appropriate housing mix, green spaces and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Down to Zero: a 5-part strategy to achieve your GHG reduction goals at any scale
- Arup (NY)
A "green" reputation is increasingly seen as a differentiator for schools to attract funding, faculty, staff and students. 66% of college applicants search for information on a prospective school's ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability and Facilities, Friends Not Foes: A Case Study of the Babson Approach to Collaboration
- Babson College (MA)
This presentation is a case study of the working relationship between facilities and the sustainability office at Babson College.
For many sustainability directors, the Facilities department is a foe rather ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The LEED Payback
- Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (PA)
Designing new laboratory space to meet the demands of the 21st century can be a daunting planning and programming challenge due to unique and somewhat rigid technical standards. When the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The LEED Payback: How Research Laboratories at Yale, Smith and Dartmouth Achieved Substantial Cost Savings
- Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (PA)
Designing new laboratory space to meet the demands of the 21st century can be a daunting planning and programming challenge due to their particular and somewhat rigid technical standards. When ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Administrative Integration of Sustainability Across University Functions: A Case Study of Bowling Green State University
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
Holistic approaches to building sustainable universities, including the education of its students and broader community, require integration among functional areas with few traditional connections. Comprehensive institutional programs face challenges from ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Multi-phased Evaluation of Occupant Perception of Sustainable Buildings as Measured by LEED®
- Bryant University (RI)
There is a need for the proliferation of sustainable buildings and for enhanced strategies to attract customers to such an initiative. This study presents the results of a multi-phased study ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Dynamic Dashboard and Campus Design Platform
- Buro Happold (NY)
The platform is a web-based 3-D city performance visualization and analysis program; an interactive dashboard of portfolio performance and conceptual strategy development. It visualizes large amounts of building/portfolio performance ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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STARS Introductory Workshop
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
This workshop will focus on sharing basic information about the STARS Program. Join the STARS staff in exploring details of STARS like programmatic development, the STARS Governance Structure, and the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Hospitality Symposium: Central California Coast Community Partnership Links "new" Event Standards to Economic Development
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
A new model for collaboration under the umbrella of the Institute of Innovation and Economic Development (IIED) was used to create a robust conference. Participants included: five different colleges, government ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Practices of a Campus Grounds Department: Utililizing Technology to Improve Stewardship
- Calvin University (MI)
The Grounds Department of our Institution has taken the initiative over the last 10 years to adopt sustainable practices that incorporate our mandate for creation care with the desire for ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Pittsburgh Climate Initiative In Review
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
The Pittsburgh Climate Initiative (PCI) is a collaborative effort designed to lead Pittsburgh's residents, businesses, government, and institutions of higher learning in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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An integrated Sustainability Model for Online Campuses: Communication, Outreach, and Mapping
- CHA (NY)
Campus sustainability is a newly emerging theme. While there are plethora of activities, programs and projects planned and implemented at site in different campuses, the concept, role and technique of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Business Coordinators: Regional Collective Impacts
- Chatham University (PA)
A growing number of businesses around the world and in Southwestern Pennsylvania have appointed Sustainability Officers/Coordinators, mirroring the successes of such positions being established at universities.
To meet the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A New Era in Campus Climate Action: Dynamic Online Inventory and Planning Tools
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Standardized measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions has played an important role in advancing the ability of higher education as a sector to provide leadership on the issue of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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CHEFS: Estimating Life Cycle GHG Emissions from Campus Dining Services and Contributing to Vital Research
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Clean Air-Cool Planet created CHEFS, or Charting Emissions from Food Services, to help institutions estimate emissions from the entire life cycle of food they serve, from farm to campus. CHEFS ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energizing Sustainability on Campus Through Student Action
- Concordia College (NY)
How can students energize sustainability efforts when their institution's administration shows only lukewarm support for sustainability? As co-chairs of our college's Student Environmental Alliance, we have worked over ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cuyahoga Community College's Sustainability Plan - Working Towards Implementation
- Cuyahoga Community College (OH)
A Community College has just completed its Sustainability Plan. We've been working hard at energy conservation measures since 2000 merely as cost saving measures and now have support for ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustaining Student Service at DePaul University
- DePaul University (IL)
At DePaul University, service to our academic community and beyond is the cornerstone of our urban, Catholic and Vincentian mission. Priding ourselves on our ability to put the student at ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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University at Buffalo Climate Action Plan: Addressing the Challenges of Sustainable Expansion
- Ecology and Environment, Inc. (NY)
The University at Buffalo (UB) is in the process of transformation through the design, development, and implementation of the UB 2020 plan. As outlined in the UB 2020 strategy, and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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EcoCommons establishes Ecological Performance for entire campus, provides distinctive sense of identify, place, sustainability
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
In the higher education arena, our institute has one of the most advanced and forward-thinking sets of building standards for environmental stewardship, sustainable design, and energy management. Strategically, sustainability is ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Smart Growth Strategy realizes Green Honors and becomes an Immersive Sustainability Master Plan
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
In the higher education arena, our institute has one of the most advanced and forward-thinking sets of building standards for environmental stewardship, sustainable design, and energy management. The 1997 Campus ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Achieving Climate Neutrality by Building Local Partnerships: Local & High Quality Offset Purchasing
- Green Mountain College (VT)
Green Mountain College provides its students with opportunities to explore the meaning and significance of climate neutrality and encourages students to be engaged in the process of helping the College ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability, Science, and Civic Engagement: The SENCER Approach
- Hartwick College (NY)
Sustainability offers academic institutions a wonderful opportunity to embrace a "big idea" that transcends disciplinary boundaries, integrates curricular and co-curricular activities with campus operations, and promotes real-world problem solving through ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Sustainability Assessment System from Asia
- Hokkaido University (Hokkaido)
The Alternative University Appraisal (AUA) project aims to provide an alternative assessment system for colleges and universities and create a learning community to advance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Hokkaido ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Next Steps in Sustainability Internship Program Development: Recruitment, Support, Mentorship, Increased Efficiency and Program Evaluation
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
In 2007, the Task Force on Sustainability established the Internship Program in Sustainability. Utilizing campus as a living laboratory, the program enlists undergraduate and graduate students in research and implementation ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing An Edible Campus: Using the Charrette Framework to Create a Campus-Wide Initiative
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
During the spring of 2011, a three part design series entitled, "Designing An Edible Campus" was conducted using the framework outlined by the National Charrette Institute. Most commonly, a charrette ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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From Policies to Practice: Moving Departments to the Digital Realm.
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
In academic environments, unnecessary paper use has significant environmental and economic impacts. With advances in technology, there are growing opportunities for reducing printing in the future. Existing paper documentation, however ...
- 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.