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
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New Resources
Finding Intersectional Solutions to Environmental Sustainability & Social Justice
- Augsburg University (MN)
During the summer of 2021 and continuing into the 2021-2022 school year, Nyasa is conducting research with Monica McDaniel, the Sustainability Officer at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to identify …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Building the Future We Desire: Crossing Boundaries & Challenging Historical Ideas of Sustainability
- University of Minnesota, Crookston (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
The Student Engagement Leadership Forum on Sustainability (SELFsustain) is a five-campus collaborative retreat that rotates between campuses. In April 2021, UM-Crookston hosted a provocative online series on indigenous identity, community …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Using a Sustainability Framework to Advance Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
Accredited social work programs in the U.S. train students to advance "social, economic, and environmental justice" (CSWE, 2020). Often, however, the curriculum addresses each type of justice independently, as though …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Healing to Transform - A Trauma-Informed Approach to Education for Sustainable Development & Wellbeing
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Our society and our planet are desperate for healing from embodied trauma passed on from generation to generation—be it fueled by institutionalized racism, forced displacement, gender and economic inequality, resource …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Advancing Indigenization Through AASHE STARS Adaptation
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) provides a Sustainability Tracking and Reporting System (STARS) to measure progress by participating post-secondary institutions in their sustainability efforts. …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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High Impact Low Carbon Exchanges: Teaching Sustainability Through Global Classroom Partnerships
- Salisbury University (MD)
- Universidad Latinoamericana De Ciencia Y Tecnología (ULACIT)
Studying abroad allows students from across the globe to experience different cultural, political, learning, and natural environments. For these reasons and many others, learning institutions (including universities) have prioritized this …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Understanding Diverse Student Participation in Campus Sustainability Programs
- University of Georgia (GA)
Nationwide a lack of diversity in sustainability roles and initiatives is well documented. Many attribute this lack of diversity to the limited representation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Keynote Presentation with Dr. Ian Haney López
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
Dr. Haney López’s keynote address will explain how the climate movement cannot succeed unless race, class and gender solidarity are at the heart of everything we do. Dr. Ian Haney …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Using the Pursuit of Equitable Tree Canopy to Combat Effects of Redlining in Lexington, Kentucky
- University of Kentucky (KY)
The historical housing policy of redlining reflected systemic racism in the home lending industry; it disproportionately impacted people of color and created socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods in intentional and negative ways. …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Campuses as Living . . . Archives: Using Campus Histories to Explore Diversity, Equity, and Belonging
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Are you working at an institution struggling to effectively respond to and support student-led-protests for social justice and equity? You may have an unexplored treasure trove of useful and inspirational …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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A Campus Framework for Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion-Centered Climate Resilience Planning
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
- Introba (CA)
"Climate resilience planning" has been a growing buzz phrase across the country for years. Although many municipalities are beginning to incorporate current and future climate realities into their planning efforts, …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Launching the Emerging Environmental Leaders (EELs) Program in Minnesota
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
University of Minnesota campuses (Twin Cities and Morris) collaborated with the State of Minnesota to launch the Emerging Environmental Leaders (EELs) program in the spring of 2021. The program brought …
- Posted Jan. 3, 2022
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Racial Equity Tools Glossary
- Racial Equity Tools
Many of the terms in this glossary have evolved over time. For example, given the changing demographic trends in the United States, the word “minority” no longer accurately reflects the …
- Posted Dec. 9, 2021
- Tools
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CSUF Food Pantry
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Addressing food insecurity among college students has been a CSU system-wide effort for a number of years. The Pantry is a new and permanent program to the CSUF campus that …
- Posted Dec. 9, 2021
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A Framework for Advancing Anti-Racism Strategy on Campus
- National Assocation of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (FL)
The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) serves as the preeminent voice for diversity officers at institutions of higher education throughout the country and around the world. …
- Posted Dec. 9, 2021
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Healthier building materials and equity: the upstream and downstream impacts of material choices
- Williams College (MA)
- Integrated Eco Strategy (MA)
Materials used in current building construction often contain chemicals that at best have not been tested for human health impacts and at worst are actively harmful to human health. While …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Opportunity in Disruption: Strategic Sustainability Planning During and Post COVID-19
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- Cumming (CA)
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be disruptive and challenging for institutions of higher education, businesses, and community organizations. Entities with strategic sustainability plans now face operational and budgetary obstacles to …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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What's Missing? The Invisible Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color
- Howard University (DC)
- United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (NY)
Leaving No One Behind, the first priority of the Sustainable Development Goals, is an action agenda. It means addressing patterns of exclusion, privilege and unjust power relations that can recycle …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Transforming White Supremacy in Teacher Education
- Luther College (IA)
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
In light of the recent calls for racial justice, it is vitally important to critically examine the role that teacher education programs play in perpetuating institutional racism and white supremacy. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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I Wonder Can You Hear Me Now? The Emotional Work of African-Americans and University Engagement
- University of Virginia (VA)
We are fighting two pandemics, COVID-19 and racism. The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have sparked discussions around the country on the impact of institutional …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation for Climate Justice on Island Earth
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (HI)
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
A major institutional focus of the university of Hawai ªi Office of Sustainability has over the past 3 years has been our partnership with Dr. Lipe 's office to establish …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Inclusive Pedagogy Online: Increasing Equity in Remote and Distance Learning Classrooms
- Oregon State University (OR)
Before the COVID-19 crisis prompted a radical shift to online delivery methods across higher education, distance learning was central to many institutions' strategic visions. Now, the pandemic has caused a …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Leading with Social Justice to Advance Sustainability: Learning from Indigenization
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
Early in 2020 the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) adopted its first Sustainability Vision. Building on a sustainability policy adopted in 2014, the vision leads with social justice and …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Stronger Together: Merging the Sustainability Office and the Office of Inclusive Excellence
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
In summer 2020, California State University Monterey Bay reorganized its Sustainability Office. Moving it from Facilities Management to the Office of Inclusive Excellence. This was done in recognition of the …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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What is 'Sustainability' in the Time of Anti-Racist Uprising & a Global Pandemic?
- Cornell University (NY)
- Ithaca College (NY)
In the wake of George Floyd's murder and in the throes of a deadly pandemic, sustainability, as it's traditionally practiced, has become all but irrelevant as social unrest and unmet …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Leveraging Change From Within and From Without: Equity & Sustainability
- University of South Dakota (SD)
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
Many of us leading sustainability efforts have no specific training in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work from our formal education. This does not free us from the work needed …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Creating Cultures of Equitable Belonging Using our Food Systems as the Galvanizing Frame
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
For the past five years, Food Solutions New England has hosted the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge that has inspired thousands to learn, reflect and act in service of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Examples and Conversation about Elevating Equity and Justice in Sustainability Literacy
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
- Emory University (GA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Spelman College (GA)
This workshop will provide participants with opportunities to explore a diverse set of strategies for elevating equity and justice components of sustainability across the college curriculum and through co-curricular opportunities. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Strengthening Social Sustainability in the Face of Declining Community Trust
- College of Charleston (SC)
A just transition to a more sustainable world requires a strong understanding and application of social sustainability. Yet, social sustainability is often misunderstood, underrepresented and excluded, particularly in higher education …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Sustainable Menstruation: Making Periods Sustainable and Accessible to all
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
Did you know that the average menstruating person throws away 1200 menstrual care products during their time in college? Disposable menstrual care products are wasteful and costly, especially for students …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Niizhoo-gwayakochigewin: Two Ways of Doing the Right Thing in the Right Way
- Bemidji State University (MN)
Named for an Ojibwe phrase which translates to 'two ways of doing the right things in the right way,' Niizhoo-gwayakochigewin draws from Bemidji State University's (BSU) Sustainability Office, Department of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Encountering Unjust Transitions: Sustainability, Masculinities, and (m)Anthropocene Collapse
- College of Charleston (SC)
This session builds on the Just Transition insight that, 'The transition itself must be just and equitable' and must include 'redressing past harms and creating new relationships of power for …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Integrating Wellness and Diversity into the Sustainability Model: A Faculty and Staff Perspective
- Augsburg University (MN)
- Bemidji State University (MN)
The Bemidji State University (BSU) Sustainability Office realized in 2008 that the work they felt called to do required a different visual representation than the typical Venn diagram that includes …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Investing in the Just Transition: How to Leverage Your Institution's Endowment
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- Intentional Endowments Network (MA)
- RBC Global Asset Management
- Low Income Investment Fund (CA)
When exploring how to finance the just transition, the over half-trillion dollars in endowment funds invested by the nation's higher education institutions represent a relatively untapped resource containing immense economic …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Centering Equity within Sustainability Offices
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
At the 2019 AASHE Conference & Expo, Meghan Fay Zahniser (Executive Director) spoke in her closing remarks that sustainability staff and administrators have a professional and moral duty to incorporate …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Bold Leadership and the Refugee Crisis
- Colorado State University (CO)
- Minnesota State University Moorhead (MN)
Bold leaders are needed to address the current global refugee crisis. Through our interactive presentation we will provide attendees the information they need to become those leaders. We will walk …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Queering Sustainability
- University of Montana (MT)
Queering Sustainability...What does that mean and why should we care? If we truly want to talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and 'Mobilizing for a Just Transition,' we have to …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Promoting Sustainability Through Diverse Children's Literature
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
Since 2013 this unit on assessment within the elementary Educational Psychology course introduces aspiring educators (>860 students) to the topic of constructing informal formative and summative assessments, rubrics and extension …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Menstrual Equity is not a Luxury. Period.
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
This proposal would address the process of acquiring funding regarding menstrual equity, finding dispensers that work for everyone, recognizing the importance of ADA compliance and hygiene standards, and how to …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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The Conscience of a Campus Framework, Integrating Local and Global Cultures
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (HI)
- MKThink (CA)
Today's university demographics are extremely diverse, and each university/college campus has its own personality and history. Every institution has unique layers of history, context and culture, that if effectively integrated …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Accessibility in Campus Green Spaces
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
This presentation will discuss the beneficial role UNC Asheville's urban green spaces play on campus, with a special focus on accessibility. When considering college enrollment, I was worried by the …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Hungry Minds: Fighting Food Insecurity on College Campuses
- Compass Group (NC)
Food insecurity, a condition of limited or uncertain access to nutritional foods, is a growing problem on college campuses across the nation. While a 2017 study showed nearly 12% of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Land Acknowledgements
- Bemidji State University (MN)
A Land Acknowledgement is a statement that 'recognizes the Indigenous peoples who have been dispossessed from the homelands and territories upon which an institution was built and currently occupies and …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Sustainability Literacy in an Undergraduate Class About Disabilities - What Are You Thinking?
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
In order to mobilize for a just transition, undergraduate education majors must understand how sustainability practices can be embedded in their teaching practices. Doing so has the ability empower today's …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Early College, College, and Beyond: A Sustainable Educational Initiative
- University of Texas at El Paso (TX)
The Paso del Norte region is uniquely located in between two nations and three states. In the past, this region suffered from lack of access and support for educational attainment …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Developing and Executing an Equity-Focused Mobility Strategic Plan
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Employers and universities are challenged to make their buildings, facilities, and programs more inclusive and welcoming. The absence of transit access and inclusive mobility programs or amenities may create barriers …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Increasing Access to Sustainability Education Through Online Programs
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
Education has long been seen as crucial to supporting the needed sustainability transitions. Yet if these sustainability transitions are going to be just and inclusive than so must the education …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Racial Equity and Social Justice Essay Series: Resources for Higher Education Staff on Understanding Key Concepts...
- Boston University (MA)
- Portland Community College (OR)
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- AASHE (MA)
Better understanding, supporting, and addressing racial equity and social justice issues as they relate to sustainability work in higher education is paramount in creating institutions that welcome and nurture intellectual …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Social Justice in Learning Outcomes: Environmental Literacy in an Indigenous Language Hotspot
- Everett Community College (WA)
This session introduces a bottom-up approach to curriculum in environmental literacy, aligned explicitly to social justice learning outcomes at a state community college in Everett, Washington. Presented herein are three …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Building cross-institutional sustainability and equity partnerships
- Bemidji State University (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
This workshop will include real-life examples, strategies and tactics to support successful cross-institutional partnerships that promote interconnectedness and integration of equity, diversity, inclusion and sustainability. Learn why a strong partnership …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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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.