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
New Resources
Connecting Campus and Community: The Nature Preserve at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
In the Fall of 2009, the new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUe) launched a new initiative to create a space where ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Save the Date: A Guide to Planning Green Awareness Events
- Southern Methodist University (TX)
Planning an event is little bit like getting a new puppy: you get really attached to it, you lose sleep at night, and sometimes, you have clean up messes. There ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Leasing Land to Farmers to Support Sustainability
- St. Paul's School (NH)
For land-rich institutions, leasing parcels of land to local farmers can support all facets of sustainability. Small farms gain acreage, enhancing the local food system; dining halls get direct access ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cardinal Green Campaigns: Tackling Environment, Economy and Social Engagement at Stanford
- Stanford University (CA)
Behavior-based conservation programs with attractive incentives and attainable goals yield impressive results. Stanford's Office of Sustainability has formulated an annual series of goal driven campus campaigns in a 6-pack ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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EPA Expands its Sustainable Food Management Initiatives with Higher Education Institutions
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency through its national sustainable food management initiative, is expanding their outreach and support programs to colleges and universities throughout the country. The Agency is ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Going carbon neutral: What an experience!
- University of Alberta (AB)
Becoming a carbon neutral campus not only demonstrates excellent progress towards sustainability but is also a phenomenal learning tool for students, faculty, staff and the greater University community. Energy management ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Public Empowerment & Campus Sustainability - Meaningfully engaging your campus community
- University of Alberta (AB)
Creating space for students, staff and faculty to collaborate is a powerful means of building a sustainable campus. The Deliberation on Campus Sustainability (DoCS) was a multi-phased, 5-month project that ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making the Campus Part of the Community: Sustainable Student Involvement
- University of Arkansas (AR)
Universities provide many opportunities for students to get involved in research, clubs, and social events on campus. Administrators spend hours on end developing ways to attract students to events in ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Envisioning a Sustainable Future for the Cincinnati Museum Center and its District
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
During the Fall Quarter of 2010 fifty-five students of architecture, planning, and engineering participated in an effort led by the Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) to address sustainability issues within the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Roche Health Center: The Role of Partnerships in Humanitarian Design Projects
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
Since 2004, our local non-profit has had a mission to unite communities to promote Life, Health and Education. Most of the organization's work focuses on three remote and impoverished ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Partnerships for Food Systems Change
- University of Florida (FL)
This presentation would include several examples of what we have accomplished at UF regarding food systems change at various scales and with varoious partners, and engage the audience in a ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Universities, Entrepreneurs and Business Incubators: Social Innovation as Economic Solution
- University of Kentucky (KY)
This paper will explore one university's attempt to help small businesses maximize their use of social innovation to solve social and/or environmental problems. The idea of social innovation ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Exploring the Living Classroom to Deepen Campus and Community Sustainability Stewardship
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (MA)
When it comes to teaching sustainability, the world is a "Living Classroom." Natural and manmade features readily inspire and challenge us to investigate the lessons they embody for environmental protection ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The 'University Farmers' Market': Promoting Holistic Sustainability Through Community Partnerships at the University of Northern BC
- University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
As one of the largest energy-consuming and emissions-producing sectors in the world, industrial food production is a significant contributor to climate change and other forms of environmental degradation (e.g ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Football Gamedays: Maximizing recycling and awareness
- University of Notre Dame (IN)
The University of Notre Dame Gameday Recycling program is in its fifth season and has met with substantial success as well as many challenges. Each year various strategies have been ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Successful Composting-University of Tennessee-A Collaborative Compost Partnership-ARAMARK Volunteer Dining
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
The food service industry produces large amounts of food during daily production. Although food service businesses strive to create minimal amounts of waste, items such as lemon peels, apple cores ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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On the CUSP: Washington, DC's College and University Sustainability Pledge
- University of the District of Columbia (DC)
"On the CUSP: Washington, DC's College and University Sustainability Pledge" will feature a panel of representatives that have worked to develop a higher education sector-wide compact to promote environmental ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UVA's Sustainability Advocacy Program
- University of Virginia (VA)
The Sustainability Advocacy program's purpose is to reach all incoming students about sustainability during their first year. By reaching them early we hope that they can learn how to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Would You Like Crabs With That? A Complex Systems Simulation of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
- University of Virginia (VA)
Over the past two years an interdisciplinary group of faculty from a major research university has designed and built a web-based multiplayer simulation game of the Chesapeake Bay watershed with ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Creating and Implementing an Interdisciplinary Global Sustainability Minor at the University of Virginia
- University of Virginia (VA)
Together, a professor and student from a large public research university will discuss their successful efforts to establish an interdisciplinary Global Sustainability Minor. Participating undergraduate students from all majors learn ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center: a Multi-University Collaboration
- University of Virginia (VA)
Students developing sustainability literacy typically study science, technology, economics and social considerations, but art and culture are often excluded. The paper argues that they are essential for a comprehensive understanding ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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De-Polarizing the Politics: Framing Sustainability in Traditional American Values
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
"Sustainability"" is an emotionally charged trigger word and concept for many people, especially in such strained socio-economic and politically polarized times. It is often assumed to be a smoke screen ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Power of Networking, The Importance of Advocacy
- Utah State University (UT)
Sustainability is a concept that needs more awareness through advocacy and networking. Sustainability is not a passing fancy, but a powerful movement that is progressive and growing bolder every day ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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An International Trend Going Local: WSU Green BIke Program
- Washington State University, Pullman (WA)
Abstract: The youngest generation of bike sharing is speeding quickly and is no stranger to college campuses and universities. The Public Bike System of Montreal Canada and Washington State University ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Community gardens and access to green space for near-poverty populations
- Western Illinois University (IL)
Backyard gardening has become more popular in recent years both as an outdoor recreation activity and a means of food safety and security. Access to open space for gardening is ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building Campus Cultures of Sustainability - Part I: Systems Structures and Administration
- Western Michigan University (MI)
As a gathering, we believe the AASHE Conference has tremendous potential to help build campus cultures of sustainability. The goal of our session is to help realize this vision by ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Strategic Community Based Approach to Implementing Campus Sustainability
- University of Ottawa (ON)
One of the greatest weaknesses to sustainability is the fact that it is not only multi-dimensional but also conceptually convoluted; demanding that practitioners juggle a myriad of concepts while balancing ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Utilizing a Community Partnership to Distribute Mattresses in the Community
- Elon University (NC)
With hundreds of lightly used mattresses to remove from campus, the university took the opportunity to partner with a community non-profit organization to keep them out of the landfill and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Greening Events- Beyond the Basics
- University of Florida (FL)
- Earth Givers (FL)
Working with offices and organizations throughout campus and the community for planning, publicity, and hosting events has enriched a number of sustainability programs at the University of Florida. Unique partnerships ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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No Money, No Travel, No Problem! UNC Focus Forward 2010
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)
Summer 2008. The Sustainability Committee of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, decided to host a traditional one-day, drive-in conference focusing on some of the best sustainable practices being ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Sustainability as a Driver of Social Justice
- Harvard University (MA)
- Rio Salado College (AZ)
- University of Wyoming (WY)
- Better World Books (GA)
Oftentimes, we think of our sustainability efforts independent of social justice.
This panel will discuss innovative ideas for combining recycling while funding social justice initiatives. The panelists, representing both private ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Emerging Trends in Greening Athletics
- Middlebury College (VT)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- Wake Forest University (NC)
Collegiate and professional sports stadium are slowly but significantly integrating sustainability into operational practices. Given the significant environmental impacts associated with sports, further advances are welcome and necessary. This panel ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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National Council for Science & the Environment (NCSE): Building Community, Creating Solutions
- Global Council Science and the Environment (DC)
NCSE has many programs and offers high-quality resources for those working to advance sustainability at colleges and universities:
• NCSE provides more than 150 University Affiliates with resources to strengthen their ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Turing Your University From Conservative to Conservationist
- Southern Methodist University (TX)
SMU once had a mock Earth Day. You heard me. Big wigs from oil companies would come out to give speeches on how global warming isn't real. Students wore ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Leading the Way: How CUNY is shaping sustainability in NYC
- The City University of New York (NY)
As this nation's largest urban university, the City University of New York (CUNY) plays a transformational role in New York City's sustainable future with an educational footprint that ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Global Greening: Study Abroad and Sustainability at New York University
- New York University (NY)
New York University has established its academic and cultural identity around the "global network university" model. With twelve different study abroad sites and the highest number of students studying abroad ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Civic Engagement: Drury University's Ozarks Center for Sustainable Solutions
- Drury University (MO)
Drury University developed a portal through which students connect directly with area businesses for internships and course-based civic engagement to promote sustainable practices and ethics throughout the region. The Ozarks ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Higher Ed in the Green Economy
- College of Lake County (IL)
- Harvard University (MA)
- Heartland Community College (IL)
- Moraine Valley Community College (IL)
This panel presentation will address the role of higher education in the emerging green economy. The lessons learned greening our own campuses are helping us to understand the common barriers ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Advancing the Green Work Force through Community College Networks
- Haywood Community College (NC)
- Moraine Valley Community College (IL)
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
- Jobs for the Future (MA)
As communities and the nation move toward sustainability and economic recovery, they will call upon community colleges to make significant and profound adjustments to prepare students for the new clean ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Connecting Students and Communities through Climate Change Support Internships
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
Local governments are increasingly compelled to take action on climate change, but are extremely challenged to respond as a result of limited resources, staff capacity and technical knowledge. In the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Greening for a Grade: Leveraging Action-Based Learning for Sustainability Progress
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- University of Michigan (MI)
This panel will include perspectives from diverse institutions and presenters on how action-based course projects can catalyze and leverage campus sustainability initiatives. The presenters will provide practical guidance on course ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Initiatives at Education Corporation of America
- Education Corporation of America (AL)
As part of our research and preparation for opening our first Ecotech Institute in Aurora—the first and only college entirely focused on preparing students for careers in renewable energy ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Teaching Campus Sustainability: A Service Learning Class Focused On AASHE STARS
- University of Vermont (VT)
Sustainability directors are charged with educating the university population and helping the institution make real progress toward sustainability goals. Teaching a service-learning class is a feasible way for campus sustainability ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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IIICE: A New Model for Sustainability in Higher Education
- University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
A new model for sustainability in higher education has been created recently by the University of South Florida based on Integrated, Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Community Engagement (IIICE). The IIICE model ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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How Academia Can Support Appalachian Coalfield Communities Transitioning Towards Sustainability
- University of Hawaii Honolulu Community College (HI)
- University of Vermont (VT)
- Queen's University
- Clearfork Community Institute (TN)
The Appalachian Transition Initiative (ATI) is a collaborative effort to develop a just, sustainable and desirable future in Central Appalachia. ATI is a partnership with over 40 different nonprofits, businesses ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Community Partnerships for Sustainable Materials Management
- Harvard University (MA)
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
- Ohio University (OH)
- University of Oregon (OR)
Can campuses help our neediest neighbors and reduce greenhouse gas at the same time? Yes we can. This session will offer several examples of how schools partner with other non-profit ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Is it Time for a Revolution?
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Ithaca College (NY)
- Pacific University (OR)
- Second Nature (MA)
We've come a long way baby... but are we moving fast enough? Although great strides have been made in the sustainability movement in higher education, is the pace of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Creating a Bridge to Green Careers: Best Practices for Campuses
- Santa Fe Community College (NM)
- University of Denver (CO)
- Green Economy (MA)
- Green Career Central (CA)
More and more students want to leverage their education to land a green/clean/sustainable career upon graduation. With more than 50 industries and sectors making a concerted effort to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Accelerating Climate Action through Local, State and Regional Networks
- Georgia Southern University (GA)
- Macalester College (MN)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
With more and more colleges and universities beginning to create climate action plans and implement sustainability initiatives, the need for developing networks to accelerate learning through peer-to-peer interaction and best ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Local Carbon Offset Projects: Lessons Learned from Yale, Furman, and Duke Universities
- Duke University (NC)
- Furman University (SC)
- Yale University (CT)
Universities and Colleges across the nation are currently addressing climate change by making significant commitments to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions. To meet their aggressive reduction targets campuses are identifying ...
- 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.