Public Engagement
Introduction
Engagement in community problem-solving is fundamental to sustainability. By engaging with community members and organizations in the governmental, non-profit and for-profit sectors, institutions can help solve sustainability challenges. Community engagement can help students develop leadership skills while deepening their understandings of practical, real-world problems and the process of creating solutions.
Featured Resources
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New Resources
Walk to the Beach
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Students, faculty, staff, and community members enjoying a walk to Missouri River on a nice spring day.
- Posted April 26, 2024
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Walk To The Beach
- University of South Dakota (SD)
We have a great place to walk near our magnificent Missouri River. North Alabama Bend is located 2 miles southwest of Vermillion. Few people in the Vermillion area know where …
- Posted April 25, 2024
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Stargazing Party
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Telescopers! invites everyone to a Stargazing Party at the Spirit Mound parking lot. We will begin by observing the Moon and learning about different craters. When the sky gets completely …
- Posted April 25, 2024
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Party For The Planet
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Greening Vermillion and the Vermillion Area Farmers Market are teaming up to provide fun for all ages at the Earth Days Farmers Market. Greening Vermillion will host a Party for …
- Posted April 25, 2024
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Mending Circle Lunch & Learn
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Join us for a special Lunch & Learn: The Mending Circle, a club presentation and demonstration by Elliza Mollman. This program will shed light on the love to mend, darn, …
- Posted April 25, 2024
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Earth Days Trivia
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Join in for an Earth-themed night of trivia. Just gather a team and compete for a top spot! For the 1st place team, all members (up to 6 total) get …
- Posted April 25, 2024
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Earth day Celebration 2024 @ AUC Tahrir CultureFest
- American University in Cairo (Cairo)
Sunday, April 21, 2024 Reconnecting People: Better Together Reveal of the Third Edition of AUC's Sustainability Report, 2024: Learn about AUC's newest sustainability report, which showcases our University's sustainability efforts …
- Posted April 24, 2024
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Happy World Earth Day 2024: Planet Vs Plastic! UM promotes its Action Plan on Single-Use Plastics and Disposable Items Reduction
- University of Malaya
Universiti Malaya Sustainable Development Centre (UMSDC) wishes all of you Happy World Earth Day 2024 with the theme 'Planet vs Plastic'
We invite you to join us with our 4 …
- Posted April 23, 2024
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Live Green, Speak Green: Sustainable Stories from Iowa State University
- Iowa State University (IA)
Captured on the vibrant South Library Lawn, this moment epitomizes the spirit of Earth Day at Iowa State University. Here, students, faculty, and Ames community unite, exemplified by a lively …
- Posted April 23, 2024
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Beat the Hell Outta (BTHO) Climate Change
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Texas A&M University students learn from over 20 campus and community organizations at a Campus Earth Day event in Rudder Plaza to earn a BTHO Climate Change t-shirt.
- Posted April 23, 2024
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Get all the 17 SDGs for the Earth
- Mahidol University (Bangkok)
At Mahidol University, we work hard to push SDGs agenda to all members. We don't just teach about SDGs, but we live the SDGs.
- Posted April 5, 2024
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‘SDGs at Work’ – Building SDG Awareness and Engagement Through Work-Integrated Learning
- AASHE (MA)
- University of Waterloo (ON)
Increasingly, higher education institutions (HEIs) are being measured on their contributions towards advancing the U.N. SDGs. Institutionally, there is growing focus on graduating global citizens who can advocate for and …
- Posted March 28, 2024
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Certifying High-Performing and Sustainable Parking Structures on Campus: A Parksmart Workshop
- AASHE (MA)
- International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) (VA)
Parksmart is the world’s only certification program that defines, measures, and recognizes high-performing, sustainable garages. Developed by industry experts, Parksmart offers a roadmap for new and existing parking facilities to …
- Posted March 13, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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COP28 Dubai Climate Conference - Delegation Organizers or Members
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Meet and learn about the plans and interests of other faculty, academic staff or students who are organizing or participating in University or other delegations to the Climate Conference known …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Sustainability is a Home Run
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Athletic Departments are the front porch of the university. This visibility provides opportunities for storytelling, demonstrating impact, and engagement. Although it may not be the most important department, it is …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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AASHE Member Meeting
- AASHE (MA)
This is AASHE's annual member meeting where you can hear from AASHE leadership on highlights of the year, plans for the future, and ask questions of the board and staff.
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Designing Effective Sustainability Communications in Higher Education
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
In pursuit of increasing the effectiveness of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's (UNL) communications efforts surrounding sustainability, UNL’s Office of Sustainability (OS) and University Communications department collaborated to develop a message …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Campus Decarbonization Masterclass Panel - Featuring Leah Bamberger, Dennis Carlberg, & Dano Weisbord
- Boston University (MA)
- Dartmouth College (NH)
- Northeastern University (MA)
- Tufts University (MA)
Panelists from 3 Boston-area institutions will swap stories and share lessons learned from their institution’s efforts to decarbonize and strengthen community resilience to climate change. This panel will feature Leah …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Washington Oregon Cascadia Higher Education Sustainability Consortium (WOHESC) Networking Session
- Portland State University (OR)
This session will be for higher ed sustainability professionals, faculty, students and sustainability professionals from the Washington Oregon and Cascadia region to gather, report our successes, share our perspectives, problem …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) Networking Session
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- The University of Texas at Dallas (TX)
This is a networking meeting for Texans and other parties interested in the Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) to connect and discuss campus sustainability topics unique to the …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability, y'all! Southeastern Schools Meet Up
- Duke University (NC)
- Kennesaw State University (GA)
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
- University of Georgia (GA)
- University of Kentucky (KY)
Do you attend or represent a college or university in the southeastern US? Do you want to connect with folks from other schools from this distinctive part of the continent? …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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NY Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education Meet-Up
- University at Albany (NY)
The New York Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education (NYCSHE) seeks to provide peer support, resources and networking opportunities for those working on sustainability in campuses in NY state. This …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium Meet-Up
- Tufts University (MA)
The Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium support sustainability officers in advancing education about and demonstration of sustainable systems on university campuses in the northeast United States and Canadian maritime region by …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Networking Meeting for Californians
- California State University, Chancellor's Office (CA)
Come join with other campus sustainability advocates from California. This is a chance to catch up with peers and discuss topics specific to the California context.
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Mountain West Higher Ed Sustainability Networking
- Colorado State University (CO)
For all the higher ed sustainability professionals in the Mountain West, including AZ, CO, NM, UT, NV, WY, MT, ID. This is an opportunity for us to connect & meet …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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In the Upper Midwest? Meet your regional colleagues and learn about the Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability
- University of South Dakota (SD)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
- Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability (MN)
Are you a sustainability leader (student, staff, faculty or community partner) in the Upper Midwest? Join us for an informal and interactive networking session hosted by the Upper Midwest Association …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Zero Waste Campuses
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
This is a meetup for all students, staff, companies, and professionals that are working on campus Zero Waste efforts. Whether you're helping your campus achieve Zero Waste goals, or focusing …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Empowering Change: HBCUs, PBIs, and Sustainability
- United Negro College Fund (GA)
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking table talk discussion as we delve into the dynamic intersection of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), and Sustainability. …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Green Lab Networking
- Indiana University Indianapolis (IN)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Working to make campus lab operations more sustainable and “green” offers a huge opportunity to reduce energy use and waste while also providing education and hands on sustainability skills to …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Community College Networking Meeting
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
This session will allow community college sustainability professionals to catch up, share successes, brainstorm solutions to mutual concerns, and commiserate about frustrations.
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Climate Leadership Network Networking Meeting
- Second Nature (MA)
Attendees representing campuses that have signed the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments and those interested in learning about the Climate Leadership Network will hear from Second Nature staff about recent accomplishments, …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Networking Session for Canadian Institutions
- Dalhousie University (NS)
Campus sustainability is a strategic priority for many of Canada’s 436 universities and colleges. As higher education institutions across Canada continue their efforts, the need for mechanisms to exchange information …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Mentorship in Higher Education Sustainability
- Emerson College (MA)
Sustainability Offices are typically small and operate in unique and sometimes challenging organizational structures, leaving staff feeling isolated while managing huge organizational change efforts. Sustainability staff from American University and …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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International Networking Session
- AASHE (MA)
Join this session to network with attendees from outside of the US and Canada, learn about AASHE's work with campuses around the world, and the variety of global organizations that …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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A Unique College and Community Mentorship Model
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- Dallas College (TX)
The AASHE Mentorship Program is a great program for connecting aspiring sustainability student mentees with inspiring higher education sustainability professionals. But what if it could grow into something larger and …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Coolfoodies and Friends Meetup
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
- Williams College (MA)
- World Resources Institute (DC)
Join Coolfood Pledge members Brandeis University, University of Pittsburgh, and Williams College for a group discussion and networking hour following the “Implementing Coolfood at Three Universities” session. Chat with Coolfood …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Advancing Sustainability Initiatives Beyond Campus to Communities
- Vanderbilt University (TN)
- Clearloop (TN)
- Panola Partnership (MS)
As more higher education institutions seek to reduce their carbon footprints and implement sustainability goals, a new partnership between Clearloop and Vanderbilt University showcases climate and community leadership in action …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Blueprint for Clean Water: A University and Conservation Partnership
- Messiah University (PA)
Colleges and Universities in the United States are large asset holders, be it endowments, buildings, or land. Based on AASHE data from just 295 Universities in the United States, land …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Leveraging Social Media to Advance Sustainability
- College of Charleston (SC)
Social media is one of the best ways to engage people with sustainability. It can be a great resource, but also a great challenge. How do you know if you're …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Building Support Through Community Collaboration
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
Public engagement and community collaborations are critical in creating sustainable campuses and communities. This session will share how the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, a public university, is finding success through …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Engaging and Empowering Students With Climate Justice Programming
- Northeastern University (MA)
- Tufts University (MA)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Climate change is no longer about just reducing emissions or asking individuals to change their behaviors. It is about people and ensuring the voices and lives of those who have …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Join the Team-Collegiate Sports Sustainability Networking Session
- Duke University (NC)
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Athletics is often considered to be the ‘front porch’ of many of our institutions. A sporting event can be the first interaction people have with the institution and often, not …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Early Career Sustainability Professionals Support and Networking
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
- Endicott College (MA)
- Tufts University (MA)
As new professionals continue to move into the field of sustainability, and as this is the first in-person AASHE Conference held in the last 3 years, it is important to …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Developing Campus-Community Sustainability Internship Programs
- University of Florida (FL)
Creating connections between college campuses, community organizations, and businesses is vital for strengthening networks and developing sustainability projects that benefit people and planet. The Active Learning Program provides University of …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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SustainEDU: Empowering Ecuador's Campuses for a Greener Tomorrow
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito - USFQ (Pichincha)
This session will contribute to HEIs and campus sustainability professionals in settings where formal sustainability planning and institutional frameworks are nascent, providing insights on how to foster sustainability networking, leverage …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum Masterclass
- Georgetown University (DC)
- Spelman College (GA)
Drawing from her experiences as president of Spelman College and Mount Holyoke College as well as her research on race and education, Dr. Tatum will speak about the opportunities for …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Hot Topic: Heat Waves & Cool Campuses Planning for Climate-Resilient Communities
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
- Yale University (CT)
Join this session to network with colleagues from around the country and discuss ways we can effectively prepare for heat in this changing climate. As temperatures rise, schools in the …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Sustainability Student Leaders Symposium Meet Up
- Bentley University (MA)
- Boston University (MA)
- Tufts University (MA)
Take some time to connect or reconnect with sustainability student leaders across various colleges and universities. Hosted by three board members for the Annual Sustainability Student Leaders Symposium, this networking …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Navigating Successful Co-Production of Campus-as-Lab Initiatives
- Princeton University (NJ)
- University of Calgary (AB)
Universities and colleges are critical sources of knowledge and learning, but have often been siloed from and inaccessible to other communities and industries (and other forms of knowledge). Academic work …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Sustainability Curriculum Integration Discussion
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- Western Washington University (WA)
How do we integrate sustainability into the curriculum? What are the best practices for teaching sustainability? How are the key competencies for sustainability assessed? This networking session is for those …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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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.
EN 10: Community Partnerships
- Description of a formal community partnership to advance sustainability (first partnership)
- Description of a formal community partnership to advance sustainability (second partnership)
- Description of a formal community partnership to advance sustainability (third partnership)
- Website URL - Community partnerships to advance sustainability
EN 11: Inter-campus Collaboration
- The national or international sustainability network(s)
- The regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s)
- Description of sustainability conference(s) and presentation(s)
- Description of sustainability resource center or awards program and submission(s)
- Description of sustainability board or committee appointment(s)
- Description of sustainability-related mentoring relationship and activities
- Description of sustainability-related peer review activities
- Website URL - Sustainability-related inter-campus collaborations
EN 12: Continuing Education
- Percentage of continuing education courses that are sustainability course offerings
- Inventory of continuing education sustainability course offerings (upload)
- Inventory of continuing education sustainability course offerings (description)
- Description of sustainability-related continuing education certificate program(s)
- Website URL - Continuing education courses and programs in sustainability
EN 13: Community Service
- Percentage of students engaged in community service
- Number of annual community service hours contributed per student
- Description of program(s) to support employee volunteering
- Website URL- Community service programs
EN 14: Participation in Public Policy
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the municipal/local level
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the state/provincial/regional level
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the national level
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the international level
- Website URL - Sustainability advocacy efforts
EN 15: Trademark Licensing
- Description of the independent trademark monitoring and verification organization
- The labor rights code of conduct for licensees (upload)
- The labor rights code of conduct for licensees (description)
- Website URL - Trademark licensing initiatives
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.