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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Community Colleges, National Resources and You
- American Association of Community Colleges (DC)
Community colleges are taking the lead in creating a workforce necessary to build a robust green and sustainable economy. Learn about some of the challenges two-year colleges are facing and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Connecting the Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethic and Campus Sustainability
- Auburn University (AL)
This session's objective is to explore the connection between the Leave No Trace (LNT) ethic and campus sustainability. The LNT ethic is dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Hospitality Symposium: Central California Coast Community Partnership Links "new" Event Standards to Economic Development
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
A new model for collaboration under the umbrella of the Institute of Innovation and Economic Development (IIED) was used to create a robust conference. Participants included: five different colleges, government ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Extending our Reach: Taking Sustainability into the Community
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
The sustainability charge at this state university is led by the Institute for Sustainability whose mission is to promote, facilitate, and develop educational, research, and University and community programs related ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Impacting individual and institutional change through a living-learning community on campus
- Calvin University (MI)
In a college dormitory setting where many choices are predetermined for residents, working towards a more sustainable lifestyle can become difficult and frustrating for concerned students. A Creation Care living-learning ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Pittsburgh Climate Initiative In Review
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
The Pittsburgh Climate Initiative (PCI) is a collaborative effort designed to lead Pittsburgh's residents, businesses, government, and institutions of higher learning in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Prairie Project: Place-Based Faculty Development for Global Sustainability Education
- Central College (IA)
Today there is an urgent need to provide global sustainability education to all college students through a curriculum that is integrative, transdisciplinary, and addresses all three dimensions of sustainability: ecological ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Business Coordinators: Regional Collective Impacts
- Chatham University (PA)
A growing number of businesses around the world and in Southwestern Pennsylvania have appointed Sustainability Officers/Coordinators, mirroring the successes of such positions being established at universities.
To meet the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Corporate Climate Responsibility and the Race to the Top: Why Competition Will Save the World
- Climate Counts
Benefiting from worldwide media coverage, the Climate Counts Company Scorecard has rapidly emerged as a credible measure of corporate climate responsibility. The Scorecard is driving stakeholder dialogue and soul-searching in ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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College of Menominee Nation Campus Grind Coffee Shop: A Case Study in Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Sustainability
- College of Menominee Nation (WI)
The Campus Grind Coffee Shop, located at the College of Menominee Nation (CMN) on the Menominee Reservation, is an indigenous business created by two student organizations at CMN: Strategies for ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Collaboration, Partnership, and Community - Development and Implementation of Waste Focus Team
- Cornell University (NY)
Proposed briefing is to discuss the Waste Focus Team; part of the Focus Team initiative developed at our university in response to the institution's 2010-2015 Strategic Plan which calls ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability as a Study Abroad Experience in Europe
- Danish Institute for Study Abroad (Hovestaden)
DIS - Danish Institute for Study Abroad has created a unique opportunity for American undergraduate students through their sustainable development program in Copenhagen. This is one of the first semester long ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Laboratory of Democracy: Sustainability Research, Education and Action at the State Level
- DePauw University (IN)
College students often feel they can do very little to effect political change beyond their local communities and campuses. Traditional political internships sometimes provide glimpses into the inner-workings of politics ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Rustless Belt: A Look at Western Pennsylvania's Steely Renaissance
- Dickinson College (PA)
Western Pennsylvania has been dumped into this regional designation known as the Rust Belt, which includes a large swath of industrial cities, such as Buffalo, Detroit, and Toledo. Pittsburgh and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making Homes Smarter
- Duke University (NC)
Smart homes are energy efficient and have technology that is intuitive and easy to use. Smart Home should be sustainable and environmentally friendly. Smart homes should promote well being and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Pittsburgh Higher Education Climate Consortium: A Partner in Community Climate Action
- Duquesne University (PA)
The Pittsburgh Higher Education Climate Consortium (HECC) is one of the four sector-based elements of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative (PCI) formally adopted by Pittsburgh City Council in August 2008. PCI ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Experiencing Sustainability: Thinking Deeper About Experiential Education in Higher Education
- Earlham College (IN)
Jack Turner once wrote "we treat the natural world according to our experience of it."" How are our students "experiencing sustainability" in U.S. colleges and universities? With the rise ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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City Studio Vancouver: The City is the Classroom
- Emily Carr University of Art & Design (BC)
Vancouver, BC is often ranked as one of the world's most livable cities because, as ecological footprint inventor and Vancouver Professor Bill Rees has noted, "25 or 30 years ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Illinois Green Economy Network- Greening Your Curriculum Faculty Development Program
- Green Economy (MA)
This panel presentation will address the role of higher education in sustainability and green economy education. In 2010, in partnership with 14 Illinois community colleges, the Illinois Green Economy Network ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Paths to Integration: Fostering Participatory Collaboration for Sustainable Change
- GreenerU (MA)
On campuses small and large, the development of engaged, collaborative stakeholder communities is key to the successful implementation of sustainability programs. Collaborative community development is full of challenges and opportunities ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Carpet Awards Sustainability Celebration and Recognition Event
- Harvard University (MA)
Successful sustainability programs are the result of the work of many people who do not have sustainability as part of their primary job functions. A reward and recognition program is ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Sustainability Assessment System from Asia
- Hokkaido University (Hokkaido)
The Alternative University Appraisal (AUA) project aims to provide an alternative assessment system for colleges and universities and create a learning community to advance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Hokkaido ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Michiana Sustainbility Leadership Program
- Indiana University South Bend (IN)
Today, the largest and most well known corporations in the world are integrating sustainable development action plans into their operations. In order to do this, they are also looking upstream ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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College and University Recycling Coalition Workshop
- Keep America Beautiful (CT)
The College and University Recycling Coalition is hosting a half day interactive workshop on collegiate recycling topics.
The presentations will be followed by facilitated small group discussions lead by collegiate ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campuses as Learning Laboratories: A Framework to Achieve Institutional Sustainability Goals Through Service Learning
- Lansing Community College (MI)
Academic institutions can achieve institutional sustainability goals through service learning projects among their faculty and students. Institutions gain several advantages through this approach, including expedited implementation strategies for achieving sustainability ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bringing Education to Life: Ecovillages as Campuses for Sustainability Education
- Living Routes, Inc. (MA)
Ecovillages are communities striving to live well and lightly together. From appropriate technologies to holistic health; from sustainable agriculture to group facilitation, ecovillages are integrating solutions within human-scale communities and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Successes and Challenges of MIT's Utility Partnership for Energy Efficiency
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
In May 2010, MIT established MIT Efficiency Forward: a ground breaking, multi-million dollar collaborative energy conservation and efficiency program with our electric and gas utility company NSTAR. The program is ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Partnerships in Food Waste Reduction at Michigan State University- Academics and Operations
- Michigan State University (MI)
At Michigan State University, Being Green is what we do. The total campus population includes over 45,000 students, with approximately 17,000 living on campus with the Division of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability in International Development: Student-Driven Organizations as a Sector Necessity
- Montana State University (MT)
The international development sector is one that carries with it the perception that complex academic specializations are prerequisite for involvement. In many cases, "expertise" becomes confounded with academic and field ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Regionally Organizing for Sustainability, South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC)
- Moraine Valley Community College (IL)
A regional consortium of 12 higher education institutions, representing non-profit, private, for-profit and four year and two year universities and colleges organized a 2-day workshop bringing 100+ participants from multiple ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Biophilia: Connecting campus and community places to nature
- NAC Architecture (WA)
Originally crafted by German social psychologist Erich Fromm around 1965, the term Biophilia means "love of life or living systems."" The philosophy of Biophilia pairs well with the current flurry ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Connecting Campus Sustainability to the Green Economy and Education
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
Investments in campus sustainability can lead to benefits beyond reduced energy bills, many of which enhance student learning and green economic growth. Speakers will provide an overview and several examples ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Social Media Effectively to Drive Campus Sustainability
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
As green jobs advocate Van Jones has said - reach into your pocket and pull out your smart phone - you have more advanced technology in your hand than the first astronauts ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Messaging the Medium: Video Marketing and the Sustainable Campus
- New York University (NY)
Sustainability outreach and engagement is crucial not only for cleaner air and healthier lifestyles, but also for the image of the university as a leader in the green economy. Communication ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Study Abroad: Acting locally, Connecting globally
- New York University (NY)
Study abroad is at the heart of an increasingly globalized and experiential higher education learning strategy, as students get to experience life in an entirely different cultural and ecological context ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Busting at the seams: Northern Arizona University's 2011 Earth Week
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
There is one day on the calendar that begs for Environmental and Sustainability messaging and outreach, Earth Day. The Student Environmental Caucus at Northern Arizona University has taken on the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cultivating Sustainability: Pedagogy for Engagement, Action and Transformation
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
Based upon behavior change research, sustainability pedagogy theory and in-the-field studies, the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI) discussion course model is a unique pedagogical tool for teaching basic sustainability themes and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Starting a Sustainability committee for a national professional organization: Lessons learned from NACA.
- Old Dominion University (VA)
In 2006, the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) joined the Higher Education Association Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) in an effort to address sustainability issues in higher education. After two years ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable State: A Platform for Academic Transformation
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Sustainable State is a new educational model designed to provide both an online and face-to-face platform for interdisciplinary exchange and academic collaboration, centered around transformational sustainability education. The mechanics of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Renew Crew Honduras: A Replicable University Service-Learning Initiative for Hands-On Experience in Renewable Energy Technology
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
As part of an embedded energy and engineering service learning initiative, the Renew Crew, eleven university students, installed a solar photovoltaic array for a community owned and operated well in ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cleantech business incubation on campus: Accelerating the Journey from innovation to impact
- Polytechnic Institute of New York (NY)
The University-managed clean energy business incubator aspires to have a positive impact on the economic and environmental health of New York City by maximizing the success of emerging cleantech companies ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing a Comprehensive Recycling and Waste Reduction Program: A Multi-Campus District-Wide Approach
- Portland Community College (OR)
Portland Community College has been involved in recycling and waste reduction efforts for over a decade. The College serves over 83,000 students per year and spans over a wide ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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PSU Community Environmental Services: Case Study of Dynamic Partnership Training Resource Conservation Managers
- Portland State University (OR)
This poster presentation will provide an illustration of a dynamic partnership between a university and its community will inspire organizations to test the limits of robustness in forming partnerships that ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Service-learning opportunities in sustainable construction, infrastructure and transportation development
- Presidio Graduate School (CA)
Students working to further the sustainability imperative on campuses are uniquely positioned to leverage their knowledge and expertise to drive sustainability outcomes in the delivery of transportation infrastructure projects both ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Citizens, Governments, and Colleges 2.0: Engaging in the Twitterverse and Beyond
- Presidio Graduate School (CA)
"Creating Sustainable Campuses and Communities" goes far beyond student recycling campaigns, and Earth Day fairs; nowadays, social media is engaging others in the best sustainability practices. This study summarizes the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Showcasing Sustainability: Engaging the University & Community in a Successful Public Event
- Princeton University (NJ)
In the fall of 2010, the Office of Sustainability at Princeton University produced its second successful Sustainability Open House. The event highlighted numerous sustainability initiatives underway on campus and in ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing and Sustaining Edible Urban Landscapes
- Randolph College (VA)
Edible landscaping integrates species that produce edible roots, stems, flowers, leaves, fruits, or vegetables into human-made landscapes. Reintroducing edible cultivars into urban and suburban landscapes represents a strategy for promoting ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Soil Analysis for Sustainable Edible Urban Landscaping
- Randolph College (VA)
"Sustainability" is a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society and its members are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Gateway to Green: Sustainability Transformation at the Speed of Light
- Saint Louis University (MO)
For nearly 200 years, Saint Louis University has played a role as Wal-Mart-like greeters in the "Gateway to the West". Unfortunately, those welcomed were actually entering the "show me" state ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Green Wave: Engaging Students and Benefitting the Community through an Energy Audit Training Course
- San Jose State University (CA)
This session focus on a pilot energy efficiency audit training program, the Green Wave, launched in 2011 by San Jose State University and two partner organizations, the City of San ...
- 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.