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
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Student Summit Opening Keynote with Varshini Prakash
- Sunrise Movement (DC)
Varshini Prakash is the executive director and co-founder of Sunrise Movement, a movement of young people working to stop climate change, take back our democracy from Big Oil, and elect …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Closing Keynote with Bill McKibben - Author, Environmentalist, Activist
- 350.org (NY)
In his heartfelt, hopeful talks, McKibben offers realistic approaches to saving our planet, as individuals, certainly, but also as thoughtful members of a mobilized group. When it comes to building …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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State of the Association Address: AASHE Member Meeting
- AASHE (MA)
Come join the AASHE Board and Staff while we present the AASHE 'state of the organization' address. You'll hear highlights from the member survey, programmatic priorities, and AASHE's vision for …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Opening Keynote: Shevanthi Daniel-Rabkin, Aaron Tanaka and Marcus Renner
- New Consensus (DC)
- Center for Economic Democracy (MA)
- Democracy at Work Institute (CA)
To provide a broader view of the emergent movement to create a sustainable economy, 3 leaders will each share a concise, high-impact story of their work and how higher education …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Talent Talks: Bringing Your Environmental Values to Work
- Environmental Defense Fund (DC)
With corporate recruiting season just around the corner, you might be spending time thinking about what might make you stand out in a crowded marketplace. What you may not know …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Stay Rad Post Grad!
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
Are you graduating? Are you panicking? Or maybe you know exactly what you want to do, but it's just a matter of making it happen. Join the PLAN staff (with …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Building Personal Resilience in a Wellbeing Economy
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
- Verdis Group (NE)
As the climate continues to change, weather events are increasingly affecting people in deeply personal ways. Grief, trauma, depression, hopelessness, fatalism and uneasiness are all symptoms. Recent reports by the …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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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
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College & University Recycling Coalition (CURC) Campus Recycling Workshop
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- Clemson University (SC)
The annual CURC Workshop provides opportunities for attendees to network with Campus Recyclers from around the country, hear presentations from and interact with national experts, and participate in roundtable discussions …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Our Community Composting Project
- University of Louisville (KY)
The University of Louisville Community Composting Project has been creating compost with and for the community for the past ten years. Sourcing our organic material from local coffee shops, restaurants, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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MOVING to Zero Waste: Diverting from Res Hall Move-Out Using Community Resources and Partnerships
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Residence halls across the United States struggle with the amount of waste that is left behind by students when they leave for the summer, particularly at large, midwestern research institutions. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Zero Waste
- 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 Dec. 4, 2019
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Reducing Waste on Campus Through Reusable Bags
- University of Denver (CO)
Plastic banners used for advertising purposes often end up in the landfill after being used. To prevent this waste, we partnered with Mile High Workshop to re-purpose these banners into …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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A Solar-Powered Automatic Composter: Students Combine Engineering, Science and Community Engagement
- University of Houston - Downtown (TX)
The University of Houston-Downtown's Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability (CUAS) has a number of student initiatives focused at creating future sustainability leaders. One area of focus is to foster …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Diverting Waste, Fostering Community, and Making "Used" Useful
- Earlham College (IN)
In recent years, the Earlham College Student Sustainability Corps has experienced success and growth in their waste diversion programs. These include a permanent Free Store, a yearly Move-Out Program, and …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Bikes and Scooters on an Urban Campus
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock (AR)
Our campus has gone through two bike share launchings. For the first, we were ill prepared. We just let it happen. After six months, the provider pulled the bikes off …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Employer-Provided Mobility: Energy Efficient Commuting to Empower Early Career Workers
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (CO)
Higher education prepares students to succeed in their careers. This should include the knowledge that those entering the job market have substantial power toward co-creation of sustainable economic practices. One …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Don't pack your bags. We can create interactive, fun and transformative e-conferences.
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- University of Alberta (AB)
Don't stress! Yes, conferences create connections and inspire new ideas; however, traveling to conferences costs time, money and increases our carbon footprint. But no, it's not the only way. E-conferences …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Questions that Need Answers: Resolving Data Gaps as an Opportunity for Communities and Universities
- United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (NY)
As research deepens around the sustainable economy, theoretical and analytical gaps in knowledge are becoming clearer. Universities can use this information, and their position as interdisciplinary institutions, to direct their …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Native Bee Conservation: Bridging the Gap Between Research, Sustainability, and Educating the Public
- Central College (IA)
Approximately 85% of flowering plants depend on animals for pollination. Bees, one of the most important pollinator groups, not only enable reproduction of most wild flowering plants, but also play …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Research Findings from the Sustainability and Education Policy Network (SEPN)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
The Sustainability and Education Policy Network (SEPN), an international research network, has spent the last six years examining the uptake of sustainability in higher education policy and practice across Canada. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Leveraging Institutional Buying Power for Sustainable Procurement: A Strategizing Session
- Boston University (MA)
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
Many colleges and universities have separate conversations with the same suppliers. Imagine the impact we could have on the environment if higher ed coordinated sustainability requests of these companies and …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Networking Session for NY Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education (NYCSHE)
- Syracuse University (NY)
Current members or anyone interested in joining please attend our meet and greet networking session. Members of the Coalition represent institutions of higher education in New York State. Membership of …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Data-Driven Sustainability: How Universities Can Use Data to Make Ethical Licensing Decisions
- Sumerra (OR)
Poor working conditions at a factory in China that manufactures t-shirts bearing a university's logo aren't that university's problem, right? Wrong. Universities are increasingly called to account (in a very …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium Meeting
- Smith College (MA)
This is a netoworking meeting of the Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium. See https://sustain.princeton.edu/necsc
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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NASPA Meet-Up
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Celebrating a recent partnership between NASPA (Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education) and AASHE, this networking session will provide a space for student affairs practitioners to connect with colleagues, share …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Arizona Colleges and Universities Networking
- Arizona State University (AZ)
The world is a small place, but it is easy to stay inside our bubble despite working potentially one department or city away. This networking session will bring sustainability leaders …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Green in a Red State: Working in Conservative Environments
- University of Central Oklahoma (OK)
This networking session is meant to continue the conversation started at AASHE 2018 wherein attendees can share ideas, collaborate on solutions, and problem solve together about effective ways to pursue …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Ethical Labor in Collegiate Licensee Supply Chains
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
Collegiate licensees' levels of readiness and willingness to implement ethical labor practices throughout their supply chains is a priority consideration for UCLA in selecting its trademark licensees. In 2010, UCLA …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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How Do We Build a Bridge Between Science and Decision Making? Narratives Matter
- Dallas College (TX)
Every decision is being made at in local, regional, national and global contexts. Researchers at universities are discovering solutions to be more sustainable and community colleges are equipping students to …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Catholic and Faith-Based Higher Education Institutions Networking Session
- Gonzaga University (WA)
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
- Marquette University (WI)
- St. Louis University High School (MO)
Join sustainability staff, faculty, and students from other faith-based institutions as we share updates on how this aspect of our institutional identity informs our sustainability strategy. This time will allow …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Simplifying Sustainability - Creating A Powerful, Unified Marketing Campaign For Sustainability
- Marketing Evolution (NY)
- Industry PDX (OR)
- C[IQ] Strategies (OR)
Great marketing campaigns have changed the way people think and act -- 'This Is Your Brain On Drugs', 'Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk', and 'Only You Can Prevent Wildfires', …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Leveraging Funding to Provide Student Experience and Community Enrichment
- Furman University (SC)
Would you like to learn how to provide consistent funding for a resilient student fellowship program? We have some thoughts and experiences to share. Furman University, a liberal arts school, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Building Bridges Through Reuse
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
For this session, the presenters will focus on the Hoosier to Hoosier Sale at Indiana University Bloomington (IU). The Hoosier to Hoosier Community Sale is a reuse program that aims …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Democratizing Capital for a Regenerative Economy
- Center for Economic Democracy (MA)
The Boston Ujima Project is organizing neighbors, workers, business owners, artists and investors to create a new community controlled economy in Greater Boston. Since launching in 2016, Ujima has built …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Rooted in Community: Collaboration with Local Land Trusts
- Davidson College (NC)
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)
As higher education institutions, and specifically sustainability offices, seek to broaden and deepen collaboration with local organizations, the land trust community is a natural partner. In many cases, both the …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Weatherization Programs: Partnerships to Address Community Issues
- Furman University (SC)
- University of Florida (FL)
The benefits of weatherization programs are extensive. These programs have the capacity to address social and economic inequality, the historical effects of gentrification, and the growing impacts of climate change …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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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
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Getting WILD! Introducing Children to Nature...Why and How
- Dallas College (TX)
Research has proved individuals interacting with nature are healthier, both mentally and physically. They have higher self-esteem, are more cooperative with others and perform better at work and school. However, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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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
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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
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Breaking the Bubble: Using Video to Demystify Sustainable Living
- University of Kentucky (KY)
This poster presentation details an online video series entitled 'What Can You Do to Live More Sustainably.' Nine videos featuring students, staff and faculty across the University of Kentucky provide …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Challenges, Successes, and Opportunities of Collegiate Farming
- Colgate University (NY)
The Colgate Community Garden was started in 2011 by Green Thumbs, a student group that works to manage and promote the activities of the garden. The purpose of the garden …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainable Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network
- United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (NY)
This networking meeting will be an opportunity for attendees interested in, researching, and/or implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of 17 goals to be achieved …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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University + Business = Force for Good
- University of Georgia (GA)
Business can be a force for good in our communities and our world. Universities are contributing to a sustainable economy by supporting local businesses to document and expand their sustainability …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Sustainable Energy Education Through Demonstration (SEED) in Secondary Education
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
Sustainable Energy Education through Demonstration (SEED) is a ten-week program that educates students on the mechanics of renewable energy production and the value of these energies in combating climate change. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Green STEAM: Rocket Fuel for a Sustainable Economy
- Moraine Valley Community College (IL)
- Oakton Community College (IL)
- Joey FineRhyme (IL)
For decades, the environmental movement has been trying to infuse sustainability into the mainstream ethos. While the science is irrefutable, most people are not moved by science alone. One example …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Growing Sustainable Communities Together Through Leadership in Higher Education
- Joliet Junior College (IL)
- Lewis University (IL)
- Prairie State College (IL)
- University of Saint Francis (IN)
The South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC) is a unique partnership of 10 higher education institutions in the south metropolitan area of Chicago extending west to Joliet, south to Kankakee …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Bringing the Campus Community Together Through Gardening and Gardening Workshops
- University of Louisville (KY)
The Garden Commons is a community garden space on the campus of the University of Louisville, located next to the Cultural Center and the Student Activities Center. It exists as …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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Empowering Students and the Community Through Green Chemistry and Sustainable Science Outreach
- Beyond Benign (MA)
- State of Washington (WA)
Sustainable STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) outreach can have a significant impact on youth, empowering students to be problem-solvers and engage in their communities as change makers, and inspiring …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
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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.