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
Universities of Sanctuary Ireland (UoSI) Guidelines on Becoming a University of Sanctuary
- Places of Sanctuary Ireland
Places of Sanctuary Ireland has a Universities of Sanctuary Ireland (UoSI) stream, a sister network to the Universities of Sanctuary UK stream, that encourages and celebrates the good practice of …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2020
- Publications
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Universities of Sanctuary Resource Pack
- City of Sanctuary UK
The City of Sanctuary organization has a Universities of Sanctuary stream that recognizes and celebrates universities that welcome sanctuary seekers into their communities and foster a culture of inclusion.
This …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2020
- Publications
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Webcast: COVID-19, Climate and Higher Ed: A Second Nature Panel Discussion
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- Yale University (CT)
- Second Nature (MA)
COVID-19, climate and higher ed: Defining the sector’s responsibility in solving global challenges
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and the response to it offers lessons for addressing other global problems, particularly …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Routledge Handbook of Ecocultural Identity
- Routledge
The Routledge Handbook of Ecocultural Identity (2020) is a timely book, as across the globe more and more of us awake to our always interconnected selves. The Handbook brings the …
- Posted July 10, 2020
- Publications
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Racial Equity & Social Justice Resources for the Sustainability in Higher Education Community
- AASHE (MA)
This collection of racial equity and social justice resources includes links to programs and resources related to solidarity and messaging, understanding racial/social/environmental justice, race and sustainability, anti-racism, prominent influencers, podcasts, …
- Posted June 24, 2020
- Tools
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Energy Justice and Solving Climate by 2030
- Bard College (NY)
Join the Security and Sustainability Forum and Bard College in a sixty-minute session about how innovative city and state policy will be critical to ensure justice in the economic transformation …
- Posted June 12, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustainability Education as a Pathway to Minority Participation in STEM
- Columbia University (NY)
Sustainability education offers higher education institutions opportunities to broaden the participation of groups traditionally underrepresented in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. This chapter focuses on an exploratory …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Publications
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Learning and Teaching Through the Online Environmental Justice Atlas: From Empowering Activists to Motivating Students
- McGill University (QC)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Barcelona)
The chapter analyzes how the Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas.org), an online interactive platform developed to visualize and study struggles against environmental injustices worldwide, is used in higher education curricula to …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Publications
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Does higher education prepare students to bridge divides in today’s democracy?
- Western Washington University (WA)
Recent political events serve as a reminder that American society comprises groups with divergent visions for the future and mutually incompatible ideas of how to achieve those futures. Despite this …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Publications
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Creating a Digital Environmental Justice Toolkit
- University of Connecticut (CT)
With the help of University of Connecticut (UConn) students, staff and faculty members, and local and national rights-based organizations, I created an environmental justice toolkit. This novel toolkit addresses what …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Expanding Sustainability: University of California, Santa Cruz’s Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program featuring the “Intersections Between Diversity & Environment” course
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
The UC Santa Cruz Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program (DICP) educates staff, faculty, and graduate students to undertake in-depth examinations of how we, through recognizing and understanding of our differences, …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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SDG Week
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Week [https://sustain.ubc.ca/sdg] was a week-long occasion at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus that consisted of ten multidisciplinary events—six of these events were organized by …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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UVA’s Equity & Environment Fund: Catalyzing student-driven, intersectional projects that connect and advance the work of community leaders
- University of Virginia (VA)
Historically, many UVA student-led projects focused on the environmental issues of sustainability, without much connection or thought to how these projects connect or address social or equity issues. To help …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Swarthmore College Sustainability Research: Equitable Zero Waste
- Swarthmore College (PA)
A year long research project developed by students to help and develop an equitable zero waste mindset and framework of thinking.
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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A Multi-Perspective Reflection on How Indigenous Knowledge and Related Ideas Can Improve Science Education for Sustainability
- Universität Bremen
- Malmö University
Indigenous knowledge provides specific views of the world held by various indigenous peoples. It offers different views on nature and science that generally differ from traditional Western science. Futhermore, it …
- Posted May 13, 2020
- Publications
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Diversity Content in STEM? How Faculty Values Translate into Curricular Inclusion Unevenly for Different Subjects in Environmental and Sustainability Programs
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of Virginia (VA)
- Vincent Evaluation Consulting (OK)
While addressing racial inequality in the higher education curriculum and promoting an inclusive curriculum in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) remain contentious issues, little is known about the processes …
- Posted May 11, 2020
- Publications
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Digging In: Specific Examples of Diversity in Sustainability Work
- Bemidji State University (MN)
- Central College (IA)
- AASHE (MA)
We all have to make sure the sustainability movement is not a white, elitist movement. Join two Sustainability Directors as they share their successes, challenges, and lessons learned through integrating …
- Posted March 11, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Evaluating the prevalence and quality of conference codes of conduct
- Northwestern University (IL)
- University of Southern California (CA)
- Chicago Botanic Gardens (IL)
Efforts to increase inclusion in science face multiple barriers, including cultural and social behaviors in settings such as academic conferences. Conferences are beneficial, but the culture can promote inequities and …
- Posted March 6, 2020
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College students’ understanding of social justice as sustainability
- Indiana State University (IN)
- Saint Louis University (MO)
Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore college students’ understanding of sustainability and, specifically, the extent to which students see social justice as being integral to sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach …
- Posted March 5, 2020
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The role of gender, race, and ethnicity in environmental identity development in undergraduate student narratives
- Duke University (NC)
Recent work in environmental psychology and education emphasizes environmental identity as important in predicting a broad array of environmental behaviors. However, there are gaps in understanding how other social identities …
- Posted March 5, 2020
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Weaving Equity and Sustainability into the Fabric of Higher Education: The University of Utah Experience
- University of Utah (UT)
Sustainability is an idea that is celebrated, loathed, or deemed entirely useless given its many meanings and approaches. While scholars broadly agree it must include merging ecology, economy, and equity, …
- Posted March 4, 2020
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Intersectional sustainability and student activism: A framework for achieving social sustainability on university campuses
- Southwestern University (TX)
- University of Sydney (NSW)
In recent decades, universities have made significant progress toward environmental sustainability and have likewise tightened their budgets and restructured economic models in the name of financial sustainability. However, institutions of …
- Posted March 4, 2020
- Publications
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Institutionalizing Environmental Justice
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
Over the past few years, the Student Environmental Resource Center (SERC) at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) has been working to institutionalize environmental justice operations, programs, and projects for …
- Posted Feb. 27, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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The Partial Deinstitutionalization of Affirmative Action in U.S. Higher Education, 1988 to 2014
- Brown University (RI)
- University of Toronto (ON)
Since the 1990s, affirmative action opponents have targeted colleges’ and universities’ race-conscious admissions policies and secured bans on the practice in eight states. Although scholarly and media attention has focused …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2020
- Publications
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A Key to Co-Creation: The Development and Utilization of a Social Justice Lens
- Hackman Consulting Group
As evidenced by this national moment, a lack of critical understanding of social justice issues makes co-creating real sustainability goals near impossible. Conversely, thoughtful attention to social justice issues affords …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Feminist Fight Club: An Office Survival Workshop
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Are you ever the only womxn in a room of men? Have you ever had a male colleague take credit for your work? Have you ever been spoken over by …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Can a Campus Become a Cornucopia?
- College of Charleston (SC)
As an urban campus in a food desert, the College of Charleston (CofC), lacks accessible produce. The only grocery store within a mile of campus caters to a high-income area, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Illuminating the Invisible: How Institutions Address and Afford Social Sustainability
- Saint Joseph's University (PA)
Rising income inequality, compounded by the eroding purchasing power of low and minimum-wage jobs, make social sustainability a subject of increasing urgency and importance to the most vulnerable members of …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Women in Sustainability Education - Networking Meeting
- Prescott College (AZ)
Come join us to build a collaborative network, share synergy, and catalyze collaboration. Who this session is for: administrators, faculty, and program leaders concerned with innovation, gender equity, and social …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Social Sustainability at NAU: Implementing Menstrual Cups on Campus
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
This presentation describes an initiative carried out in Spring of 2019 at Northern Arizona University (NAU) that made free menstrual cups available to the NAU student body. The NAU Green …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Good as New: A Discussion on Reducing Waste While Increasing Equity
- The New School (NY)
For the past three years, the Tishman Environment and Design Center at The New School has coordinated and executed a free sale event for students called 'Good as New' in …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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The Importance of Community, Culture, History, and Education for Sustainability
- Colorado State University (CO)
In this presentation I will share the story of Keokuk, Iowa - my hometown - a river town community along the Mississippi River, which is considered the most dangerous town …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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A Collaborative Approach to Sustainability and Inclusion at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
- Playback Sports (WA)
- Elysium Events LLC
This bright, colorful presentation and discussion will cover the value and importance of a cross-functional team and holistic sustainability strategy for large-scale events. We will share the story of how …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Recipes for Effective Campus-Community Partnerships: Perspectives on Food Security & Justice
- College of Charleston (SC)
- University of Utah (UT)
This combined session will present two cases of campus-community partnerships centered on food. The Stone Soup Collective College of Charleston Chapter is comprised of dozens of collectivists and volunteers who …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainable and Local Food Diversity and Affordability: Successful Procurement Case Studies
- Aramark (PA)
- FarmLogix, LLC (IL)
Sustainable and local sourcing was once a movement of privilege used by high-end chefs to delight dining patrons. In this informative session, you will be taken into several case studies …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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We Have POWER: Building a Movement for Food Justice on Campus
- Western Washington University (WA)
- Real Food Challenge (AZ)
Our food system is in crisis. From the fields to the factories, people who work in the food chain face low wages, sexual harassment, and dangerous working conditions. Food insecurity …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Creating a Student-Led Campaign for a Self-Operated Dining System: How to get Started at Your School
- Western Washington University (WA)
At Western Washington University, students have been leading a multi-year effort to implement a self-operated dining system after the decade long contract with Aramark expires in 2021. Currently, WWU is …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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An Introduction to the Role of Race, Class and Gender Issues on Campus Sustainability Work
- Hackman Consulting Group
This introductory session explores the powerfully important ways that dynamics of race, class and gender (RCG) impact the efficacy of our campus sustainability work, and then suggests how a racial …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Social Justice Connections: Mapping Sustainability, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on Campus and in the Community
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Portland Community College (OR)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
Examining connections between sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts is essential for advancing environmental sustainability and social justice together. The AASHE Advisory Council's Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Committee invites …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Exploring Allyship and Connections Between Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion & Social Justice
- Bentley University (MA)
- Green Mountain College (VT)
- Portland Community College (OR)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
- Universidad de Monterrey
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities
No one inherently knows everything about diversity and inclusion work, but this work can also be a challenging place to experiment, because mistakes hurt others and in this space, impact …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Niizhoo-gwayakochigewin: Two Ways of Making Things Right
- Bemidji State University (MN)
Named for an Ojibwe phrase which translates to 'two ways of making things right,' Niizhoo-gwayakochigewin draws from Bemidji State University's (BSU) Sustainability Office, Department of Languages and Indigenous Studies, Department …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Institutionalizing Environmental Justice
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Are you looking to implement environmental justice at your campus but unsure how to start? How can environmental justice programs and services be institutionalized in higher education? Over the past …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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The State of Race: Unpacking Racism in America Today
- Texas A&M University (TX)
As overt racism has intensified across America in recent years, it is important to have meaningful conversations that center race at AASHE. Diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives are becoming popular …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Gender Pay Assessments Ensure Co-Created Economic Empowerment for Women Too
- Emory University (GA)
- Wake Forest University (NC)
No matter how you define it, women are generally paid less than men. In the United States, for example, the unadjusted average female's annual salary has commonly been cited as …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Infusing Equity into the Future We Create
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
How do we use our power within our institutions to help create a sustainable future for all, not just for some? Recognizing that climate change and economic transformation affects communities …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Tokenism versus authentic inclusion: Evaluating equity efforts within sustainability programs
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
Colleges and universities can be key players in increasing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) in traditional environmental careers and pathways. But how well are we serving our students of color …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Social Incubators in Sustainability Projects for Stronger Diversity, Inclusion, and Innovation
- Prescott College (AZ)
Social incubators are an effective inclusion practice for sustainability initiatives, building social capital and social networks that can raise up submerged voices and counter hidden entitlement networks. Through research over …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Inside/Outside: Advancing a Socially Just Campus Sustainability Agenda from All Sides
- Auburn University (AL)
- Hackman Consulting Group
This session addresses the ways campus sustainability offices can utilize 'inside' partners and 'outside' experts to further its socially just sustainability work. Far from being a perfect formula, this session …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Considering Low-Income Students in Sustainability
- Central Community College (NE)
Lower-income students are more likely to feel the impacts of climate change and are less likely to be major contributors of carbon emissions. Despite this, many climate change solutions focus …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Digging In: Specific Examples of Including Diversity in Sustainability Work
- Bemidji State University (MN)
- Central College (IA)
We all have to make sure the sustainability movement is not a white, elitist movement. Join two Sustainability Directors as they share their successes, challenges, and lessons learned through integrating …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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.