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.
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Videos Tell Sustainability Stories, Work toward Sustainable Futures
- University of Vermont (VT)
As an effective pedagogical approach for addressing planetary-scale Anthropocene challenges at the local level, I consider storytelling—enhanced by videos-- as a social transformation tool to work toward sustainable futures. Students …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Earth Day as a catalyst: Creating a link between the university and community
- University of South Dakota (SD)
As universities begin to embrace sustainability efforts, it is essential that those efforts extend beyond the universities and into their broader communities. The University of South Dakota (USD) is the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Universities Growing 21st Century Cities
- University of Missouri, Kansas City (MO)
Universities and cities exist so that people of diverse backgrounds can come together to live, work and play in a vibrant environment where new ideas and opportunities are boundless. When …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Utilizing campus partnerships to enhance sustainability campaigns
- Stanford University (CA)
For the past 30 years, Stanford has designed and implemented innovative, campus-wide infrastructural programs to address environmental sustainability in energy, water, waste and building efficiency. Stanford’s Office of Sustainability builds …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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GreenTown: Creating Cross-Sector Sustainability Collaboration
- Indiana University South Bend (IN)
Most of the time, most of us attend professional conferences intended only for inhabitants of the Ivory Tower. The same is true of other professions. Rarely do we come togehter …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Kentucky College & University Carbon Consortium
- University of Louisville (KY)
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
Beginning in 2009, in celebration of the annual America Recycles Day event, college campuses across the nation began informally competing on the self-reporting website Recordsetter for “largest cardboard box fort.” …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Geodesign Approach to GIS for Sustainability Management
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
Geodesign is an emerging approach to using geographic information systems (GIS) for addressing complex sustainable systems problems, e.g., improving land use, transportation, and water resources that have impacts on each …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Community Partnerships: Celebrating Poets, Painters, and Projects
- Delta College (MI)
Utilizing the campus and the community environment can create an engaging experience for teaching and learning and can serve as an invitation for partnership and participation. Off The Page: A …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Regional Centers for ESD: Increasing Impact Through Collaboration
- Portland Community College (OR)
- Portland State University (OR)
- York University
- University of Regina (SK)
- Aquinas College (MI)
Can you envision healthy, just, and thriving communities where sustainability education is prioritized and everyone has opportunities to shape a more sustainable future? The United Nations University has fostered an …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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LCC’s Downtown Campus: Adventures in Housing, Collaboration and LEED
- Lane Community College (OR)
Profile: The Lane Community College Downtown Campus in Eugene, Oregon is a landmark project for education, business and the community. The innovative design and features of the campus allow Lane …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Promoting Campus Sustainability in Developing Countries
- Universidad de Monterrey
- American University in Cairo (Cairo)
- American University of Nigeria (Adamawa,)
Four speakers from developing countries will briefly present and then discuss the challenges of implementing a university sustainability program in an environment where long-term sustainability seems eclipsed by poverty, political …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building Community Partnerships to Promote Sustainable Waste Practices
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (DF)
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus León
As part of a research project run by the Sustainability department at the Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad León (ENES), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico, professors …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Analysis of Ecovillages as Model Sustainable Communities
- Eckerd College (FL)
This research analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of several ecovillages, which are intentional communities that strive to live in an environmentally sustainable way. The purpose of the research was to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Online magazine and social media network for regional synergies
- College of Charleston (SC)
Institutions of higher learning share the responsibility of empowering the individual, building community, and enriching society. The question is not whether to pursue community engagement and public outreach but how …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campuses as Living Laboratories for Sustainable Communities
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- Portland State University (OR)
- EcoDistricts (OR)
How can universities use ecodistricts to create transformational change in the campus setting? What are the key roles for academic institutions to accelerate sustainable neighborhood development in their communities? This …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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There’s No Place Like A Sustainable Home: Greening Off-Campus Housing
- University of Arizona (AZ)
In the summer of 2013, the University of Arizona launched the Undergraduate Off-Campus Housing Sustainability Coordinator (OCHSC) position designed to bring sustainability into the homes of students living off-campus. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Understanding the Community Rights Framework
- Portland State University (OR)
Ecuador’s 2008 Constitution gives nature the right to “respect for its existence and for the maintenance and regeneration of its life cycles.” Many sustainability scholars are well aware of this …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Working Together To Fight Hunger and Waste
- Bon Appétit Management Company
- Food Recovery Network (MD)
Every day students are asking more of the university around them and it can be difficult for dining service providers to know how to address requests. Whether it be for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Space Certifications as Tools for a Sustainable Community
- Emory University (GA)
- University of Alberta (AB)
Separated by approximately 3800 kms--Emory University and University of Alberta have closed the north/south gap between their two large research-intensive institutions by working together to share lessons learned regarding the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Putting the U in Community Solar: Creating a local, meaningful offset program
- University of Utah (UT)
U Community Solar is an innovative program to give the University of Utah a local, tangible way to offset its carbon footprint over the next 20 years. The one-time program …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Symbiotic Sustainability: Oberlin Town and Gown Collaboration
- Oberlin College (OH)
College towns across the country are facing growing economic, social, and environmental challenges. A shared vision to build a more sustainable community between city and college leaders can be a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Fostering Social Change through Action and Recognition Programs
- Western Washington University (WA)
Sustainability is often approached from economic and environmental viewpoints which, while exceptionally valid, can be restrictive when approaching a project with limited quantitative data. Through the Residents’ Resource Awareness Program, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Strengthening Rural Community Health through Collaboration
- Black Hills State University (SD)
Nestled in the northern Black Hills of South Dakota, Spearfish is a small town of about 10,000 and home to Black Hills State University (BHSU). BHSU is spearheading a community-wide …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Stanford’s Building Level Sustainability Program: A Retrospective
- Stanford University (CA)
Formally launched in 2009, Stanford’s Building-Level Sustainability Program harnesses the actions of individual building occupants to achieve resource savings. Over the past five years the program has matured to the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Creating a Green Economy in a Red County in a Blue State
- McHenry County College (IL)
- Southwestern Illinois College (IL)
Growing Partnerships The Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) is a consortium of Illinois community colleges working to grow the green economy of Illinois. IGEN’s unique statewide cooperative approach leverages the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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What’s Hope Got to Do With It? A Research Collaborative
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
- Prescott College (AZ)
Sustainability educators often hear they must be careful not to share too much distressing information with their students and colleagues because they risk sending them into a passive, shut-down mode, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Partnerships for Developing Community Sustainability Indicators
- Emory University (GA)
- Florida International University (FL)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- Wake Forest University (NC)
Developing Community Sustainability Indicators through Campus-Community Partnerships In the words of social ecologist Peter Drucker, “What gets measured, gets managed.” Whether with the STAR Community Index or AASHE’s STARS, local …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Innovation & Partnership for Landfill Waste Diversion
- Emory University (GA)
Creativity, innovation, and partnership are essential for successful campus waste minimization and landfill diversion efforts. A series of collaborative efforts have recently emerged in order to work towards meeting Emory …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Art of Hearing: the journey of AASHE’s Listening Project
- Ball State University (IN)
- Princeton University (NJ)
The Listening Project, launched in 2013, was the first collaborative organizational and member-driven effort of its kind for AASHE and has since been the subject of keen interest by other …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Learning for Sustainability Scotland
- Environmental Association for Universities & Colleges (EAUC) (Gloucestershire)
There is an undeniable need for a world that is sustainable: where people and communities value and are engaged with the natural environment; societies are inclusive and equitable; and a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bioregional Urbanism on Campus: Building Regional Leadership Models
- EcoMotion (CA)
- Earthos Institute (MA)
Bioregional Urbanism is a practice methodology that helps cities and regions become more resilient and self-sustaining in ways that measurably contribute to global sustainability. Campus communities are influential centers for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Curricular Engagement in Building Sustainable Communities
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson College is leading the way in integrating sustainability across the curriculum. As an innovative liberal arts college, over 90% of our graduating students are taking sustainability-focused and related courses …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Liberal Arts Institutions Networking Meeting (2014)
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Linfield College (OR)
- Lewis & Clark College (OR)
- Sewanee - The University of the South (TN)
- Willamette University (OR)
A lunch meeting for representatives of liberal arts colleges and universities. A similar lunchtime networking event was hosted by others in Nashville with approximately 100 attendees.
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Health Promotion: a vehicle for partnerships
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Public Health and Health Promotion on campus is uniquely positioned to partner and provide leadership on sustainability goals for higher education. Through a public health lens, we can offer support …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Local APPetite: Partnering with Rural Farms to Grow Our Economy
- Appalachian State University (NC)
During the fall of 2013, Appalachian State University Food Services launched Local Appetite, a partnership that brought together farmers, community organizations and the university to grow our economy. Being self-operated, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Models for Sustainability from Audubon International
- University of Florida (FL)
- Audubon International (NY)
During this presentation, AI staff will describe how two of its programs, the Signature Program and the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, have promoted sustainable practices at educational institutions. The presentation …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Say Goodbye to Green: How to Mainstream Sustainability Messaging
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Over the 50 years since the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, sustainability has been linked primarily with environmentalism—and guilt. The earth has been hurt, and we are to blame. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Repair Fairs: Promoting waste reduction in community involvement
- Oregon State University (OR)
One of the largest challenges in engaging students in sustainability is creating meaningful experiences. Encouraging students to practice reuse is particularly challenging, as it requires a personal commitment. Likewise, educating …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building a Statewide Sustainability Strategy in Higher Education (2014)
- University of Hawaii at Hilo (HI)
This case study will describe the first two years of developing the system-wide University of Hawaii (UH) Sustainability Strategy. In January 2014 the Board of Regents of the University of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Balancing Act: St Louis Higher Education Sustainability Consortium
- Maryville University (MO)
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
- Southwestern Illinois College (IL)
- University of Missouri-St. Louis (MO)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (MO)
At a time when colleges and universities and communities are under ever-increasing economic pressure to do more with less the values at the heart of sustainability in higher education offer …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Sustainability Liaison Network
- Santa Clara University (CA)
We think we have found the key to establishing a community of engaged and active citizens for sustainability! By targeting our programming toward individuals (rather than whole departments or organizations) …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Wisdom Project: The Native American Youth Leadership Initiative
- Portland Community College (OR)
- Wisdom of the Elders, Inc. (OR)
America needs the talents and perspectives of Native Americans, America’s first scientists, to enhance innovation and diversity across disciplines. However, the lack of Native representation in programs, particularly STEM, has …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Saving Lives: Using Art Curriculum To Reduce Bird Collisions On Campus and in Philadelphia
- Temple University (PA)
This session will provide a case study of how graphic design faculty used an experiential learning project to engage art students on sustainability while also aiding the university in addressing …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Big Bouncy Castle: Community Partnerships & Involvement
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
In the communities surrounding many colleges and universities the schools are often viewed as exclusive “Ivory Towers” of education that, while being physically located within a community, are not a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Regional Alliances for Sustainability: Strength in Numbers and Networking
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
The Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) is an emerging regional collaborative designed to serve as a community of practice for institutions of higher education across the state. Originally …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Voluntary Sustainability Agreements as a Transition Niche
- Chatham University (PA)
The lack of climate change leadership across many government levels in the United States has left a gap in the work of low-carbon transition for sustainability. Recognizing the importance and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Zero-waste Community: Bridging the Gap Between Goals and Behaviors
- Green Mountain College (VT)
One of the main goals of Green Mountain College’s Sustainability 2020 Strategic Plan is to have a net positive impact on the surrounding community. Vermont’s new universal waste law offers …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Strength Training the Social and Human Capital Muscle
- Green Mountain College (VT)
A sustainability movement is only as strong as the community muscle behind it, including a community’s ability to work together to solve problems and be resilient in the face of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Creating partnerships between companies and design/build programs
- Big Ass Solutions (KY)
Collaboration between manufacturers and academic design/build programs is one of the most effective ways of introducing advanced products to the evolving sustainable technology field while providing valuable hands-on experience for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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EcoDistricts, Anchor Institutions & Urban Revitalization
- Clark Atlanta University (GA)
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FL)
- Spelman College (GA)
- EcoDistricts (OR)
This session brings together the experience of the Portland based originator of the EcoDistrict and the Atlanta University Center to examine how EcoDistrict the tools, resources and framework are applied …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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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.