Diversity & Affordability
Introduction
Higher education opens doors to opportunities that can help create a more equitable world, and those doors must be open through affordable programs accessible to all regardless of race, gender, religion, socio-economic status and other differences. In addition, a diverse student body, faculty, and staff provide rich resources for learning and collaboration.
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Making College Affordable: Providing Low-Income Students With the Knowledge and Resources Needed to Pay for CollegeState Flagships
College can seem out of reach for many low-income students. Too often they believe college is unaffordable and unattainable. It is no surprise then that students from the bottom socioeconomic ...
- Posted Nov. 16, 2017
- Publications
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A Deeper Solidarity: Sustainability Through a Social Justice Lens
- Hackman Consulting Group
AASHE 2017 Closing Keynote Speaker Heather Hackman is the founder of Hackman Consulting Group. She regularly consults on issues of deep diversity, equity and social justice with an emphasis on ...
- Posted Nov. 4, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Portland State University All Gender Restroom Campaign
- Portland State University (OR)
In 2015 PSU implemented an all gender restroom policy. Working with a student in our College of Art + Design, a marketing campaign was established to advertise the policy.
- Posted Oct. 20, 2017
- Photographs
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The Kaleidoscope Project
- University of Calgary (AB)
The Kaleidoscope project at University of Calgary envisions a more pluralistic and inclusive campus community and invites students to engage in learning, conversation and action with others who may have ...
- Posted Oct. 14, 2017
- Photographs
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Campus Engagement; Diversity & Affordability
- Northwestern University (IL)
The Change Makers program at Northwestern University allows professional staff and faculty members to engage in a personal journey to create a more inclusive environment at Northwestern University. Change Makers ...
- Posted Oct. 11, 2017
- Photographs
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UConn Open Educational Resources
- University of Connecticut (CT)
The OER initiative at University of Connecticut has affected several thousand students through the adoption of open textbooks and course redesigns to increase affordability. In September 2016, the Provost provided ...
- Posted Oct. 10, 2017
- Photographs
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The Relationship Between Academic Major and Environmentalism Among College Students: Is it Mediated by the Effects of Gender, Political Ideology and Financial Security?
- Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Several studies have found a relationship between college students’ academic majors and their environmental attitudes and behaviors. Results from this study of incoming first-year students at a medium-sized public university ...
- Posted Sept. 21, 2017
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Affordability in Higher Education
The affordability of higher education is one of the most pressing challenges to college and university leaders and politicians. Meanwhile, students and parents face their own hurdles paying for college ...
- Posted Sept. 5, 2017
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The Alt-Right on Campus: What Students Need to Know
Taken from the Aug. 10, 2017 press release (linked at the bottom):
An old and familiar poison is being spread on college campuses these days: the idea that America should ...
- Posted Aug. 31, 2017
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Hear My Voice: Strengthening the College Pipeline for Young Men of Color in California
The Ed Trust–West report, Hear My Voice, examines the intersection of race, gender, and education and draws upon on-campus interviews with male students of color, parents, educators, and administrators ...
- Posted July 13, 2017
- Publications
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Guide to Assessing Basic Needs Insecurity in Higher Education
Is every student on your college campus ready to learn? High school grades and/or standardized test scores are often used to answer that question, but those numbers do not ...
- Posted May 30, 2017
- Publications
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Revisiting Service Learning Through Food Equity, One Outcome from the Chemeketa - Marion Polk Food Share Youth Partnership
- Chemeketa Community College (OR)
Chemeketa Student Retention and College Life (SRCL) periodically offers free leadership courses to students. Chemeketa’s dreams of a student farm for the Agricultural Sciences program are still a few ...
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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Portland State University - All Gender Restroom Policy
- Portland State University (OR)
In late 2015 Portland State University (PSU) administration officially adopted an all gender restroom policy (also sometimes referred to as gender-neutral, unisex, or universal) for the PSU campus. The all ...
- Posted May 19, 2017
- Case Studies
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Does Social Justice Knowledge Matter in Sustainable Business Education?
- Appalachian State University (NC)
There is a growing social justice movement in the United States in response to perceptions of increasing inequality, as illustrated by recent minimum wage protests and the Occupy Wall Street ...
- Posted May 18, 2017
- Publications
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UTA CARES: Open Education and Open Pedagogy for Sustainable Future and Resource Conservation
- University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
Reducing the cost of a college education is a frequent topic in higher education circles. Some colleges and universities such as UT Arlington have been trying to find other ways ...
- Posted May 16, 2017
- Case Studies
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Case Study: Oregon State University Becomes the First University to Accept Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) at University Run Grocery Store
- Oregon State University (OR)
In January 2016, OSU began accepting SNAP at a campus grocery store, allowing individuals with SNAP to access these funds while on campus. OSU is the first to have a ...
- Posted May 9, 2017
- Case Studies
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The University as a Site of Food Insecurity
- Texas A&M University (TX)
The project investigated a topic of increasing importance, that of food security among undergraduate students while away at school. Specifically, we examine the topic through two methodological approaches. First, a ...
- Posted May 5, 2017
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Finance and Curriculum
- Texas A&M University-Commerce (TX)
- Relating the assignment to the University Mission
- Answering student demand
- Addressing programmatic structure
- Posted April 28, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Earth Day Fair New Mexico State University
- New Mexico State University (NM)
The Las Cruces Downtown Plaza stage had great musicians, speakers, dancers, and more! We partnered with March for Science group. There were 30 educational and vendor booths, local food trucks ...
- Posted April 28, 2017
- Photographs
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It's All About the People! Let's Talk About Social Sustainability
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- Value social sustainability as a necessity for advancing campus sustainability.
- Identify strategies for including social sustainability on your campus.
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Transgender 101- What you Need and Want to Know
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TX)
Participants will gain basic understanding of LGBTQIA terminology, with emphasis on trans and other gender identities they may encounter on campus, and will gain understanding of an intersectional approach to ...
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Six ways to ensure higher education leaves no one behind
- UNESCO
Noting the lack of sufficient institutions to cater to the growing demand for higher education as well as increasing disparities in its access, the United Nations educational and scientific agency ...
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Publications
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Feeding the Flames: A Report on Student Hunger at UIC
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
This report represents the results of a yearlong study of student food insecurity at UIC conducted by students and faculty in the School of Public Health, Division of Environmental and ...
- Posted April 21, 2017
- Publications
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LGBTQ Students on Campus: Issues and Opportunities for Higher Education Leaders
- Michigan State University (MI)
The American Council on Education published a blog piece about LGBTQ issues on higher education campuses. The piece includes key issues for higher education leaders, suggestions for good practices that ...
- Posted April 17, 2017
- Publications
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Hungry and Homeless in College: Results From a National Study of Basic Needs Insecurity in Higher Education
Food and housing insecurity among the nation’s community college students threatens their health and wellbeing, along with their academic achievements. Addressing these basic needs is critical to ensuring that ...
- Posted March 21, 2017
- Publications
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Race & Ethnicity as a Barrier to Opportunity: A Blueprint for Higher Education Equity
Young Invincibles released its latest report, Race & Ethnicity as a Barrier to Opportunity: A Blueprint for Higher Education Equity. The report takes an in-depth look at the disproportionate challenges ...
- Posted March 7, 2017
- Publications
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AASHE Award Winner Webinar - Taking Carbon Off-Setting Beyond the Campus
- Furman University (SC)
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar tells the story of the Community Conservation Corps (CCC), a community weatherization program run through the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability at Furman University. The CCC was ...
- Posted Feb. 23, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Is Higher Education Economically Unsustainable? An Exploration of Factors that Undermine Sustainability Assessments of Higher Education
- Eastern Michigan University (MI)
- Technische Universiteit Delft
As students continue to review the sustainability of higher education institutions, there is a growing need to understand the economic returns of degrees as a function of a sustainable institution ...
- Posted Feb. 9, 2017
- Publications
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Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility
- Brown University (RI)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
We characterize rates of intergenerational income mobility at each college in the United States using administrative data for over 30 million college students from 1999-2013. We document four results. First ...
- Posted Jan. 30, 2017
- Publications
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To Serve or Not to Serve?: The Role of Gender Socialization in Community Engagement and Connections to Toxic Masculinities
- Oregon State University (OR)
Across various measures of civic and community engagement, whether across the country or here at Oregon State University, men tend to be less active in these activities, which can be ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Marketing and the Arts
- Virginia Tech (VA)
Briefly covers general popular advertising avenues on campus and ways to uncover new marketing platforms through faculty and staff engagement. Focus is placed on an interaction with the arts and ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Across the Curriculum
- Bemidji State University (MN)
- North Hennepin Community College (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- Robbinsdale Area Schools (MN)
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, North Hennepin Community College and Bemidji State University are offering a one day Sustainability, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Across the Curriculum workshop for faculty and ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Inclusion for Impact: Discourse on Diversifying the Sustainability Movement
- George Mason University (VA)
- Johns Hopkins University (MD)
How can each of us answer the call toward a more inclusive and integrative approach to sustainability at our institutions, in our communities, and beyond? This session will explore the ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Galvanizing Gaia: A Social Incubator for Women Leaders and Innovators
- Prescott College (AZ)
Two ecopreneurship professors create a supportive context for women sustainability entrepreneurs and campus program innovators to move from idea to action with their regenerative project ideas. This dynamic half-day ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Developing and Implementing a Critical Social Justice Lens for 21st Century Campus Sustainability Work
- Hackman Consulting Group
This cross-disciplinary workshop is designed to take our campus sustainability work to a deeper level, via the use of a critical 'social justice lens' (SJL), so as to improve its ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Starting the Conversation: Bridging Diversity and Sustainability in the California State University System
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
At AASHE 2015, California State University East Bay shared efforts to build partnerships between campus diversity and sustainability programs. Over the past year, this discussion has expanded into the California ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Beyond Buzzwords: Deconstructing Justice within Sustainability
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become tokenized buzzwords within sustainability in higher education. As sustainability professionals, how do we deconstruct these words to the systemic issues of racial, ethnic, economic ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Exploring the Confluence of Race, Class and Gender Issues and our Campus Sustainability Work
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- University of Rochester (NY)
- University of Vermont (VT)
- Hackman Consulting Group
This panel session explores the powerfully important ways that dynamics of race, class and gender (RCG) impact the efficacy of our campus sustainability work, and then explains how a racial ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Farm-to-school & school-to-farm!
- Georgia Southern University (GA)
- Burke County Public Schools (GA)
This conference session will highlight how collaborations between universities, schools, and farms have been incorporated into Dietetic Internship programs and curriculum to promote farm-to-school and school-to-farm efforts. Panelists will share ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Engaging Justice and Sustainability in North Philadelphia: A Campus/Community Collaboration
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Describes a Campus/Community partnership between community leaders in North Philadelphia and faculty and students at Swarthmore College. The team supports a just transition away from fossil fuels and toward ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Building a College Culture of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity: Sustainability Across Curriculum & Programs
- Portland Community College (OR)
This panel presentation will feature two colleges' approaches to building institutional cultures of inclusion, equity and diversity by integrating sustainability curriculum and programming across all departments. Specifically, this panel presentation ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Creating Cultures of Sustainability and Diversity, On and Off Campus: Stories from Three Institutions
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Oberlin College (OH)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
This session will present stories from three institutions--Georgia Tech, Oberlin College, and University of Illinois at Chicago--that are creating sustainability cultures by building on campus and community assets. Drawn from ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Building Social Capital: Fostering Inclusion and Trust on Campus and in the Community
- Green Mountain College (VT)
The largest challenge facing communities who are trying to make the sustainability transition is often social. Although sociologists have found declines in social capital nationally and internationally, few higher education ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability and Trans Inclusiveness: More than just bathrooms
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TX)
Are you confused about gender identities? Are you wondering what the big deal is about bathrooms? Are you hoping to find ways to educate students, staff, and yourself about being ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Working Towards 'Inclusive Sustainability' at the University of California, Santa Cruz
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) has served as a national forerunner in many areas of campus sustainability. Both nationally and locally, environmental movements have not always been inclusive ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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It's All About the People! Let's Talk About Social Sustainability.
- Texas A&M University (TX)
As industry professionals, you are already aware that we must balance the environment, the economy, and social equity if we are to achieve a sustainable society. The reality is that ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Carolina Survivors Initiative: Building Cultures of Inclusivity and Healing in South Carolina
- University of South Carolina (SC)
Launched in Fall 2015, the Carolina Survivors Initiative (CSI) serves the needs of recently resettled survivors of torture in Columbia, SC. With a goal of bringing global health to the ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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How Higher Education Can Engage International Students to Achieve Sustainability, Social Justice, and Equity
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
This session explores how higher education can address international students issues around recruitment, funding, research, intercultural connections and other support venues to facilitate social and environmental sustainability. As institutions across ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Fair Trade Recycling Operations
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
While the Responsible Recycling (R2) standard has been criticized for its flexibility regarding exportation, our team has been able to connect with R2 certified operations that exemplify how the exportation ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Bike Rentals, Education and Outreach: Creating student-led jobs, leadership positions, and access at a commuter college.
- Portland Community College (OR)
The Bike Program funded 100% by student activity fees was launched in January 12, 2012 to increase access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable transportation at the PCC Cascade Campus. Through ...
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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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 5: Diversity & Equity Coordination
- Description of the institution’s cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities
- Description of the diversity and equity committee, office and/or officer
- Website URL - Diversity & equity coordination
PA 6: Assessing Diversity & Equity
- Description of the diversity and equity assessment process
- Description of recent diversity and equity assessment findings
- Diversity and equity assessment report or summary (upload)
- Website URL - diversity and equity assessment report or summary
- Website URL - Diversity & equity assessment
PA 7: Support for Underrepresented Groups
- Non-discrimination statement
- Discrimination response policy or protocol
- Programs to recruit students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups
- Programs to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups
- Programs to prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members
- Website URL - Support for underrepresented groups
PA 8: Affordability & Access
- Percent of need met, on average, for students who were awarded need-based aid
- Percent of students graduating without student loan debt
- Percent of entering students that are low-income
- Graduation/success-rate for low-income students
- Website URL - Affordability and access programs
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.