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.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
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 workshop …
- 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
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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
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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
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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
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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 healthy, …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Urban Eco-Block: From Prototype to Adaptation - University, Community and Non-Profit collaborate to create a Net Zero Block
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
- Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects (MO)
Urban Eco-Block goal is to create a prototype Sustainable Form-Based Code and Net Positive Design for a typical urban city block found in many rust-belt cities where urban blight, economic …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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RIT FoodShare: Collaboration Across Campus to Address Food Insecurity and Sustainability
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
RIT FoodShare was conceived by students in the Fall of 2014 who were challenged in a class to research food insecurity and reduce food waste. Their initiative, combined with an …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Homestead Campus to Cure Higher Ed's Hang-Ups: Affordability, Access, & Sustainability Lip-Service
- University of Mount Union (OH)
Students and families complain that college is too expensive and exclusive. Employers complain that college graduates lack practical skills and critical thinking abilities. Sustainability educators call it systems thinking but …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Cultural Competencies: Developing a sustainable professional development model for a student services office
- Kent State University (OH)
This poster session describes the development of a multi-year professional development plan focused on increasing the cultural competencies of staff members in the Vacca Office of Student Services (VOSS), in …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Establish An Organic Multicultural Vegetable Garden to Promote Sustainability and Address Diversity at Kean University
- Kean University (NJ)
A team of four students from Kean University committed to establish an organic multicultural vegetable garden in the Liberty Hall Farm located in Union County, New Jersey. Team members will …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Why a Social Justice Framework Is the Only Way to Climate Justice and Deep Sustainability
- Hackman Consulting Group
This poster session lays out the rationale for the absolute need for a social justice framework when doing climate justice and sustainability work by making three essential points: 1. How …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Conversations That Matter: A Discussion on Connecting Sustainability and Diversity in Higher Education
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
- Princeton University (NJ)
- University of Missouri (MO)
- AASHE (MA)
Are you facing challenges on your campus related to connecting diversity and sustainability? AASHE's Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee is a group of directors, managers and coordinators that are helping to …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Opening Keynote - Marc Edwards
- Virginia Tech (VA)
Marc Edwards is the Charles Lunsford Professor of Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech. A renowned expert on water contamination and MacArthur 'genius' grant recipient, Dr. Edwards led the research teams …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Closing Keynote - Marcia Chatelain
- Georgetown University (DC)
Marcia Chatelain is a historian of African American life and culture in the 20th century. An Associate Professor at Georgetown University, Dr. Chatelain created #fergusonsyllabus in August 2014 to encourage …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Reaching Beyond Green: Adding Social Justice Peer Educators on Your Campus
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Peer education can be an effective way to reach students. In sustainability, we're used to hearing about Eco-Rep programs achieving this goal. Often, though, these programs have a significantly green …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
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Validating the Need to Include the Economic Returns of Graduates as a Metric of a Higher Education Institutions Level of Sustainability
- Eastern Michigan University (MI)
- Technische Universiteit Delft
Higher education institutions play an important role in sustainability, in their own management and operation, in research and education, and in the undergraduate and graduate degrees they deliver. Often ignored, …
- Posted Nov. 3, 2016
- Publications
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Georgetown University Professor’s Ferguson Syllabus Growing Nationwide
Two summers ago, shortly after the fatal shooting of unarmed Black teen Michael Brown by a White police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, Dr. Marcia Chatelain’s sadness deepened when she learned …
- Posted Oct. 25, 2016
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Hunger on Campus: The Challenge of Food Insecurity for College Students
- Student Public Interest Research Group (IL)
- Student Government Resource Center (MA)
- College and University Food Bank Alliance (CUFBA) (MI)
This report, based on a survey of nearly 3,800 college students in United States, finds that nearly half of the students surveyed were food insecure and 22% qualified as hungry, …
- Posted Oct. 17, 2016
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Paul Quinn College Transforms Football Field to Organic Farm, Shifting Value to Students
- Paul Quinn College (TX)
At Paul Quinn College, where 83 percent of students are Pell Grant eligible (2016), students obtain both a liberal arts education and real-world work experience. This video showcases the historically …
- Posted Sept. 20, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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ESF Sustainability
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
ESF is unique among colleges and universities in that all educational and research programs are oriented toward natural resources, and toward the natural and designed environments. All that ESF is …
- Posted Sept. 16, 2016
- Photographs
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Cornell University Energy & Engagement
- Cornell University (NY)
- Posted Sept. 16, 2016
- Photographs
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VA-NC Alliance Summer Research Program
- University of Virginia (VA)
The VA-NC Alliance summer research program's goal is to increase the quantity and quality of underrepresented minority students who pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.The program …
- Posted Sept. 14, 2016
- Photographs
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Sustainability 2020
- Green Mountain College (VT)
Ten years ago, students in an honors seminar investigated ways to reduce Green Mountain College’s ecological footprint. The class identified the biggest source of carbon emissions–the college’s heating plant, which …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Dr. Dorceta Taylor
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Dr. Dorceta Taylor engages students and community members in discussions on sustainable agriculture, food justice, inclusion and diversity.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Root Program at Williams College
- Williams College (MA)
Williams College Root leaders emulate the Mighty Food Farm flexing tomato logo after an afternoon of volunteering on the Southern Vermont farm.
The non profit organization Manos Unidas led Williams …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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RDI Event Oct 2015
- Selkirk College (BC)
Dr. Terri MacDonald presenting at the Applied Research & Innovation Centre-Rural Development Institute and Association of Kooteny Boundary Local Governments-AgingAging Kootenays Event - Oct2015
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Environmental Attitudes and Information Sources Among African American College Students
- Texas Southern University (TX)
The author examined the environmental attitudes of African American college students by using the 15-item New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Scale. The author also attempted to determine their everyday environmental behaviors …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2016
- Publications
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Food insecure student clients of a university-based food bank have compromised health, dietary intake and academic quality
- University of Alberta (AB)
University and college students in wealthy countries may be vulnerable to financial food insecurity. If food insecure students have suboptimal health, their ability to learn and excel in their education …
- Posted Aug. 14, 2016
- Publications
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HBCU Green Report 2014
- Clark Atlanta University (GA)
The 2014 HBCU Green Report, which is based on a survey of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), indicates that there is significant activity underway on HBCU campuses to promote …
- Posted Aug. 2, 2016
- Publications
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Minority-Serving Institutions Green Report: 2010 Campus Sustainability Survey
- United Negro College Fund (GA)
The Minority-Serving Institutions Green Report shares the results of a 2010 survey of minority-serving institutions administered by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Institute for Capacity Building and the Sustainable …
- Posted Aug. 2, 2016
- Publications
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Campus Diversity and Inclusion resources website
- American Council on Education (DC)
The Campus Diversity and Inclusion resources website from the American Council on Education (ACE) showcases regularly updated featured content on the following campus diversity and inclusion topics:
- Racial/ethnic minority students …
- Posted July 29, 2016
- Tools
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Campus sustainability at the edges: Emotions, relations, and bio-cultural connections
- Temple University (PA)
The university campus is often considered a key site for the development of environmental sustainability initiatives. At the same time, the concept and practice of sustainability has been critiqued for …
- Posted June 20, 2016
- Publications
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UT Farm Stand
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
UT Farm Stand is a student-led project that provides local and organic fresh foods to the University of Texas at Austin students, faculty, and staff. Our mission is focused on …
- Posted June 16, 2016
- Case Studies
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RIT FoodShare
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
RIT FoodShare is an initiative on the RIT campus that has been established to address food insecurity and food waste. It is both a campus food pantry and a facebook …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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Serenity "Soul"-ar: A Campus-Community Collaboration in North Philadelphia
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Serenity Soular is a campus-community partnership between community leaders in North Philadelphia and a group of faculty and students at Swarthmore College. Committed to keeping the ‘soul’ in sustainability, our …
- Posted June 6, 2016
- Case Studies
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Solar Energy Justice in Portland
- Lewis & Clark College (OR)
Project Description We are two Environmental Studies majors pursuing a project to put solar panels on affordable housing in Portland. We are working with Central City Concern (CCC) to put …
- Posted June 1, 2016
- Case Studies
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UIC Heritage Garden
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
The Heritage Garden at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a hands-on learning project with an internship program where students work with faculty, staff, and community members to …
- Posted May 31, 2016
- Case Studies
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True Merit: Ensuring Our Brightest Students Have Access to Our Best Colleges and Universities
Representation of low-income students at selective colleges and universities has not changed in ten years despite selective institutions’ well-advertised, increased commitment to “need-blind admissions” and “no-loan financial aid” packages. All …
- Posted May 17, 2016
- Publications
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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.