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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Managing for Triple-Bottom-Line Sustainability from the C-Suite to the Front Line Management Team
- Waste Management (TX)
- Butte County Air Quality Management District (CA)
- Dallas College (TX)
Attendees of this networking session will have the opportunity to interact with peers in all areas of sustainability through the lens of management, or 'Sustainability Management.' After a round of …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Stay Rad(ical) 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 staff and founder …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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St. Louis Higher Education Sustainability Consortium (and regional friends!) Meeting
- University of Missouri-St. Louis (MO)
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (MO)
The Saint Louis Higher Education Sustainability Consortium would like to invite members and regional friends to this informal meet-up time to compare notes, discuss ideas, and share inspirations from the …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Free, Open Source Energy Dashboard: A Platform for Collaboration Between Students, Faculty, and Facilities Management
- Beloit College (WI)
- Central College (IA)
- Macalester College (MN)
Beloit College is spearheading an effort to create a free, open source energy dashboard that will be usable and customizable across a range of institutions. Features include: acquiring, archiving and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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EcoExchangeEdu: Promoting Inter-Campus Collaboration to Strengthen the Culture of Sustainability in South Texas
- Trinity University (TX)
- University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)
- University of the Incarnate Word (TX)
EcoExchangeEdu (EEE) is a group of students, staff, faculty, and administrators from South Texas colleges and universities united by a shared commitment to sustainability. Established in 2014, EEE has been …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Carbon Pricing in Higher Education: Panel with 3 Models for Internal Carbon Pricing and Engaging in National Leadership
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- Yale University (CT)
Learn about what models other colleges are using to inform your own carbon pricing design and implementation strategy! At our panel discussion, we will discuss the systems that Vassar, Swarthmore …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Engaging Students and Community: Creating Safe Spaces through Community Sensitivity Training Programs
- Furman University (SC)
Furman University and the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability work to create a student experience that promotes real world student learning experiences and meets community needs. In order to …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Creating a Space for Collaboration and Cohort Building through Community Based Student Work Experiences
- Furman University (SC)
Furman University has a very strong Student Sustainability Fellowship Program through the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability. This program provides students with project-focused, sustainability related work experiences at a …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Creating political will for climate action: the role of higher education
- Bard College (NY)
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
- Citizens' Climate Lobby (CA)
Political engagement in America is at an all time high; how do we channel that energy to create meaningful change? How can higher education avoid being partisan while building the …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Connecting Community Partnerships with Curriculum to Strengthen Sustainability Education
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
- Virginia Tech (VA)
This session will discuss the role of community partnerships (CP) for strengthening sustainability education at the University of St. Thomas (UST), a liberal arts university, and Virginia Tech (VT), a …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sustainability Solidarity on Multi-Campus Community Colleges
- Central Community College (NE)
- Cuyahoga Community College (OH)
Community colleges with a single sustainability office but multiple campuses in different cities and locations face challenges to create a sustainability solidarity that extends to all sites. One main campus …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Thinking Beyond the Fork: Utilizing the Campus Food Truck as a Vehicle for Teaching Sustainability
- University of North Carolina, Wilmington (NC)
- Aramark (PA)
What do you get when you combine a university food truck, a chef, a farmer, and a FoodCorps service member? The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Campus Dining program along …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Black Hills Food Hub: Rural Food Hubs Serving a Wider Demographic
- Black Hills State University (SD)
Black Hills State University and Spearfish community partners are creating a culture that supports and values local food in order to expand the reach and depth of our regional local …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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From Gown to Town: Bringing the Benefits of Solar Energy to the Community
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association (WI)
- Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (VA)
- Institute for Sustainable Communities (VT)
Solar energy programs present a unique opportunity between colleges and their communities. We'll explore three areas where collaboration on and off campus are making a difference, including programs that create …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Facilitating Urban Climate Resilience Planning: Experiences from 3 Cities
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Second Nature (MA)
Climate Resilience in Urban Campuses + Communities (CRUX) is a multi-city partnership created to pilot the implementation of the resilience-related elements of the newly launched Climate Commitment. We have selected …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sustainability Summer Camps on Campus
- Central College (IA)
- Macalester College (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
This workshop highlights examples from two schools utilizing the resources of campus during the summer months through sustainability-focused day camps for kids. At the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Sarita Wetland …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sustainability and the Arts
- Colgate University (NY)
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
- University of Georgia (GA)
A major challenge for sustainability in higher education is effectively engaging the campus and surrounding community. The arts allow us to visualize and vocalize the hidden and complex into narratives …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Being a RE-Volv Solar Ambassador on your Campus and in your Community: Practical and Curricular Training and Experiences
- Coastal Carolina University (SC)
- RE-Volv (CA)
Re-Volv is a solar seed fund non-profit organization from San Francisco. It sponsors teams of college students each year to work with community non-profits and provide them solar energy. Establishing …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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From the Southeast to the UN: Reflections from GA & SC on Applying for and Launching New Regional Centres of Expertise
- Coastal Carolina University (SC)
- Emory University (GA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Portland Community College (OR)
Using sustainability education as a platform for building community and catalyzing social and environmental change in our regions has never been more important than it is right now. Sustainability education …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Athletics as a Resource for Advancing Campus Sustainability Goals
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- Green Sports Alliance (OR)
In 2016, with the support of the White House, the Green Sports Alliance announced October 6th as the inaugural Green Sports Day to celebrate the power of sports as an …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Innovation Districts: Collaborations of a City, a College and Corporations
- Oklahoma State University (OK)
- The University of New Mexico (NM)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- Wichita State University (KS)
Join Jane Talkington for an overview of Innovation Districts, a new form of economic development that challenges very different players in innovation ecosystems to build solidarity to achieve their goals. …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Exploring the Web-based Promotion of Sustainability in KBOR Institutions: Strategies for Design & Implications for Practice
- Pittsburg State University (KS)
To more fully understand how the concept of sustainability is represented by institutions of higher education in the state of Kansas, a scoping review of web-based content through university websites …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Comparing Move Out Programs: Sharing Perspectives on Waste Diversion, Campus & Community Collaboration, & Sustainability Goals.
- Colorado State University (CO)
- University of Iowa (IA)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
- Wilfrid Laurier University (ON)
Be part of an interactive discussion where 4 universities share their move out program from the perspectives of Housing, Sustainability, Facilities & Surplus & learn ways to advance sustainability, reuse …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Aligning Endowment Investments with the Paris Climate Agreement & the Sustainable Development Goals
- Second Nature (MA)
- Edison Energy (CA)
- Intentional Endowments Network (MA)
- Global Endowment Management (NC)
The past few years have seen a surge in interest and activity around how endowment investment practices can be better aligned with institutional mission, values, and sustainability goals. In large …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Fishing for Solutions: How Sourcing Sustainable and Affordable Seafood Fits into Your Campus Foodservice and Sustainability Programs
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- Monterey Bay Aquarium (CA)
- Sea to Table (NY)
- Changing Tastes (MA)
What's for dinner? Fish! And a chance to promote ocean conservation, increase seafood consumption on campus, and engage students in sustainability. Chefs, nutritionists and food activists have advised an increase …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Rookies, Newbies, Imposters, & Not-Yet-Experts: Navigating Newness, Isolation, and/or Competence for Sustainability Professionals in Higher Education
- East Carolina University (NC)
- Emory University (GA)
- Harvey Mudd College (CA)
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
- Marquette University (WI)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
Panelists and audience members will share perspectives, experiences, and advice as they discuss challenges and support strategies at the intersections of newness, isolation, and competence for sustainability professionals in higher …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Black Hills State University recognized for sustainability projects
- Black Hills State University (SD)
- AASHE (MA)
Black Hills State University is one of three winners for the international AASHE Sustainability Awards. BHSU is being honored by AASHE for the Black Hills Food Hub, a program launched …
- Posted Nov. 30, 2017
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The Key to Sustainable Purchasing - Radical Supply Chain Transparency
- Georgetown University (DC)
- Harvard University (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (MA)
By definition, you can’t really know what is happening in your institution’s supply chain if you don’t even know where your supply chain is. Yet, few purchasers demand that level …
- Posted Nov. 7, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Learning Our Way Toward Resilience
- Island Press (DC)
- Post Carbon Institute (OR)
This is an excerpt of Chapter 14 from The Community Resilience Reader: Essential Resources for an Era of Upheaval. Resilience education is about building our individual and community capacities …
- Posted Nov. 1, 2017
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Market Data: Building Energy Management Systems
This report from Navigant Research analyzes the global market for building energy management systems (BEMSs), examining technology trends, and providing forecasts, segmented by region, offering type, and customer type, through …
- Posted Oct. 25, 2017
- Publications
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Green Chemistry Research Report
This market assessment by Pike Research estimates the current size of the green chemical industry - which includes waste minimization in the chemical production process; replacement of existing products with …
- Posted Oct. 25, 2017
- Publications
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UNH gets top ‘green campus’ status
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- AASHE (MA)
Fosters.com article captures the University of New Hampshire's STARS Platinum achievement.
- Posted Oct. 25, 2017
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Higher Education’s Anchor Mission: Measuring Place-Based Engagement
- Cleveland State University (OH)
- Drexel University (PA)
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Newark Campus (NJ)
- SUNY Buffalo State (NY)
- University of Missouri-St. Louis (MO)
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
The report examines how an ongoing—and expanding—effort to track the impact of colleges and universities on the financial and social well-being of their surrounding neighborhoods is helping these anchor institutions …
- Posted Oct. 25, 2017
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Public-Public Partnerships for a New Paradigm in the Civic Role of the University
- California State University, Chico (CA)
Recognizing the need to proactively prepare engaged citizens for the dynamic socioeconomic and environmental conditions of the 21st century, the Institute for Sustainable Development at California State University (CSU), Chico, …
- Posted Oct. 20, 2017
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Teaming Up To Fight Blight and Promote Sustainability: An Academic-Governmental Collaboration for Sustainable Development
- Albany Law School (NY)
- University at Albany (NY)
This article describes a town-gown collaboration in the capital region of New York State between two academic institutions, Albany Law School and the University at Albany, and two city governments, …
- Posted Oct. 20, 2017
- Publications
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Sustainability in Science Museums sustainABLE (R) Activity Kits
- Arizona State University (AZ)
The Sustainability in Science Museums program has developed the sustainABLE® Activity Kits to engage families in sustainability practices and principles. More than 70 kits have been distributed worldwide, engaging more …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2017
- Photographs
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Sustainability in Science Museums
- Arizona State University (AZ)
The Sustainability in Science Museums program, one of the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives at Arizona State University, invites professionals from science museums and centers from around the …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2017
- Photographs
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The Kaleidoscope Project
- University of Calgary (AB)
The Kaleidoscope project at University of Calgary envisions a more pluralistic and inclusive campus community and invites students to engage in learning, conversation and action with others who may have …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2017
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SOU Students Celebrating Arbor Day
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
SOU students and the community came together to celebrate Arbor Day and Bee Campus USA by planting 6,000 native plants for pollinators throughout campus.
- Posted Oct. 14, 2017
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Stanford raises environmental standard for Middle Plaza project following concerns
- Stanford University (CA)
Following concerns raised by a local nonprofit, Stanford agreed to raise environmental standards for its Middle Plaza Project in Menlo Park. The new 8.4-acre mixed-use project will include 215 rental …
- Posted Oct. 11, 2017
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Campus Engagement; Diversity & Affordability
- Northwestern University (IL)
The Change Makers program at Northwestern University allows professional staff and faculty members to engage in a personal journey to create a more inclusive environment at Northwestern University. Change Makers …
- Posted Oct. 11, 2017
- Photographs
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Sustainability Scholar 2016 - University of Alberta
- University of Alberta (AB)
The Sustainability Scholars program provides University of Alberta graduate students opportunities to work on applied research projects with the City of Edmonton, campus units and other institutions. Successful projects provide …
- Posted Oct. 10, 2017
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Sustainability Scholar 2015 - University of Alberta
- University of Alberta (AB)
Research Report - Executive Summary
The Sustainability Scholars program provides University of Alberta graduate students opportunities to work on applied research projects with the City of Edmonton, campus units and …
- Posted Oct. 10, 2017
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Bike to Breakfast at Utah State University
- Utah State University (UT)
USU bikes to breakfast to celebrate the beginning and end of the National Bike Challenge. USU celebrated its 5th year and 4th win in the National Bike Challenge.
- Posted Oct. 6, 2017
- Photographs
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Core Concepts for Teaching Sustainability: Using “Tips” to Deepen Learning across the Disciplines, Grade Levels and Cultures
- Colorado State University (CO)
- AASHE (MA)
Sustainability is one of those big, complex concepts that defy easy definition or simple responses yet demand attention to our collective well-being. Some Native Americans would judge the worth of …
- Posted Sept. 28, 2017
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Building commitment to sustainability through habitat restoration: A case study of Valley Forge Christian College
- Valley Forge Christian College (PA)
This sustainability initiative was created to improve the campus habitat for wildlife and to motivate students to begin new sustainability initiatives. A habitat restoration and educational outreach plan called “Habitat …
- Posted Sept. 28, 2017
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Global Citizenship Education: Preparing learners for the challenges of the 21st century
- UNESCO
This publication explores the concept of Global Citizenship Education (GCE), which it argues has a critical role to play in equipping learners with competencies to deal with the dynamic and …
- Posted Sept. 28, 2017
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#EKULocal Festival
- Eastern Kentucky University (KY)
On September 7th, 2017, the Office of Sustainability at Eastern Kentucky University hosted its second annual #EKULocal Festival. The festival featured live music, fun activites, fresh produce, and a variety …
- Posted Sept. 28, 2017
- Photographs
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Careers in Sustainability: Current Job Trends and Future Growth
This report, based on interviews with 658 Canadian organizations, provides insight on key sustainability employment trends in Canada. It finds that over 50,000 professionals spend 50% or more of their …
- Posted Sept. 21, 2017
- Publications
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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.