Wellbeing & Work
Introduction
An institution’s people define its character and capacity to perform; and so, an institution’s achievements can only be as strong as its community. An institution can bolster the strength of its community by offering benefits, wages, and other assistance that serve to respectfully and ethically compensate workers and by acting to protect and positively affect the health, safety and wellbeing of the campus community.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Campus Bloom Day
- Instituto de Empresa SL
Campus Bloom Day is a community-driven event where students, faculty, and staff come together to plant pollinator-friendly flowers and greenery across campus! We created vibrant habitats for bees, butterflies, and …
- Posted April 24, 2025
- Photographs
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UNC Charlotte Party for the Planet
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
An annual event celebrating Earth Day at UNC Charlotte with student organizations and campus groups tabling and hosting interactive activities
- Posted April 23, 2025
- Photographs
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Northwestern University Earth Month Fair
- Northwestern University (IL)
sustainNU, Northwestern University's Campus Sustainability Program, hosts an annual Earth Month Fair to share sustainability work happening on campus and what people can do to reduce their environmental impact. The …
- Posted April 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Climate Risks and Resilience at Dickinson College: Strategies for Health and Wellbeing
- Dickinson College (PA)
Prepared for Building Climate Resilience at Dickinson and in Central Pennsylvania, an initiative of Dickinson College, the Borough of Carlisle, and Cumberland County, PA, as part of Dickinson’s Baird Sustainability …
- Posted April 3, 2025
- Publications
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Conflict Management and Leadership Engagement
- AASHE (MA)
This proposal outlines an engaging online course series designed to equip sustainability professionals in higher education with essential skills in conflict management and leadership engagement. Participants will explore conflict dynamics, …
- Posted March 3, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Supporting Early Career Professionals & Strengthening Networks
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
This Supporting Early Career Professionals and Strengthening Networks meeting will provide new professionals in the field of sustainability the opportunity to make meaningful connections with their peers and other leaders. …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Engaging our Emotions for Climate Anxiety Programming
- Reed College (OR)
- University of Oregon (OR)
Climate anxiety is prevalent among those who study and work in sustainability in higher education. The stress, anxiety, guilt, and other difficult emotions we face as sustainability practitioners have the …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Why Aren’t Faculty More Engaged on the Climate Crisis? (Spoiler: It might be the tenure process)
- Smith College (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
Do you ever wish that more faculty at your institution were working on sustainability? Many leaders have called for improved support for engaged scholarship(ES) to better connect the academy with …
- Posted Feb. 20, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Redesigning Assessment for Equity Through Alternative Grading
- AASHE (MA)
- MacEwan University (AB)
Alternative grading offers a lot of potential for improving equity in the classroom and ensuring students achieve key competencies for sustainability. However, getting started can be intimidating. In this session, …
- Posted Feb. 13, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Resilient Climate Leaders: Redefining Sustainability Programming to Meet the Needs of Students Today
- Tufts University (MA)
In the early 2020’s with the onset of the pandemic and accelerating impacts of the climate emergency, students in Tufts University’s sustainability programs began asking for ways to more effectively …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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Titans Get Healthy One Step at a Time
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Providence St. Jude Partners With University to Create Wellness Walk
Titans can now get their steps in on campus, thanks to a partnership between Cal State Fullerton and Providence St. …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2024
- Photographs
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Alternative Economies: Libraries of Things, Free Swaps, and Other Sustainable Solutions for Campuses
- George Mason University (VA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
- Center for Biological Diversity (AZ)
Our endless growth economy has led to rampant overproduction and pressure to constantly consume, driving destructive resource extraction, pollution, and waste and contributing to the climate and extinction crises. With …
- Posted Dec. 5, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Co-Creating the UN's Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: A Value Creation Inclusive Learning
- Woxsen University
Abstract The United Nations initiative to "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all" aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals by advocating for a transformative …
- Posted Sept. 10, 2024
- Publications
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UC Davis Nature Rx
- University of California, Davis (CA)
Professionals with UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services provide prescriptions for nature to their patients as part of a holistic healthcare approach. The prescription includes a worksheet where students …
- Posted Aug. 21, 2024
- Photographs
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Food Lockers Address Food Insecurity at Pitt
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
New food lockers at University of Pittsburgh make grocery and meal delivery more convenient and help address food insecurity for the Pitt community. Nonperishable food items, fresh produce and extra …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
- Photographs
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Kyle Field Football Stadium
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Kyle Field view from Aggie Park which encourages campus and community members to spend time outdoors. Aggie Park hosts outdoor learning spaces, venues for community festivals, and an outdoor stage …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
- Photographs
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STARS of Data Accuracy
- University of Houston (TX)
Beginning in 2019, University of Houston required all new buildings and major renovations to be designed and certified to LEED Silver or better standards. Since then, three projects have met …
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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PolyForm celebrates mission, spirit of Human Ecology
- Cornell University (NY)
Students pass by the PolyForm sculpture near Martha Van Rennsselear Hall. The vision: A piece that evoked and celebrated College of Human Ecology’s interdisciplinary, human-centric mission spanning science, technology and …
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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Steminist Movement
- Cornell University (NY)
The Steminist Movement, a Cornell student organization puts together STEM kits with Wendy Lin from the Community Partnership Funding Board. Fighting the Gender Gap in STEM through Education
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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Compass at Cornell Volunteer- Civic Service
- Cornell University (NY)
Courtney Knight, a volunteer with Compass at Cornell, works with students, staff and other volunteers at the George Junior Republic High School (a school specifically designed to educate at-risk children). …
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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AFRIK! The Annual Fashion Show- celebration of Black fashion
- Cornell University (NY)
AFRIK! The Annual Fashion Show: The Blueprint. An annual celebration of Black fashion creatives within the Diaspora! Anticipate beautiful clothing, amazing performances, and a beautiful night to remember.
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show
- Cornell University (NY)
Native American Indigenous students at Cornell present Rematriation: The Fashion Show, Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show. Michelle Schenandoah ’99, founder of Rematriation, is a member of the Oneida Nation Wolf …
- Posted July 30, 2024
- Photographs
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Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show.
- Cornell University (NY)
Student models prepare backstage for “Rematriation: The Fashion Show,” Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show presented by Native American Indigenous Students at Cornell.
- Posted July 30, 2024
- Photographs
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Campus-Wide Civic and Voter Engagement: Opportunities & Resources
- University of Michigan (MI)
- AASHE (MA)
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
- Citizens' Climate Lobby (CA)
- Campus Vote Project (DC)
From student life to residential hall activities, recreation and facilities staff to the sustainability office, each staff person, faculty and student on campus can encourage voter registration and participation. Data …
- Posted July 24, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Earth Month 2024 at Northwestern University
- Northwestern University (IL)
sustainNU, Northwestern University's Campus Sustainability Program, teamed up with the Block Art Museum for a guided tour of their current exhibition, Actions for Earth: Art, Care & Ecology as part …
- Posted June 17, 2024
- Photographs
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Upcycle Journal Day at Joliet Junior College
- Joliet Junior College (IL)
Students made journals from homemade and G.O.O.S. paper.
- Posted May 6, 2024
- Photographs
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Bowie State University celebrates Earth Month 2024
- Bowie State University (MD)
Bowie State University celebrated a diverse series of events throughout the entire month of April starting with the April 3 participation in the Maryland Climate Teach-In and culminating on April …
- Posted May 6, 2024
- Photographs
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Nebraska Native Pollinator Garden at Creighton University
- Creighton University (NE)
For Earth Day 2024, students, faculty and staff were invited to prepare the Nebraska Native Pollinator Garden, located on the Creighton University campus in Omaha, NE, for its next growing …
- Posted April 29, 2024
- Photographs
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Healthy Ageing: Enhancing Healthspan with Plant-Forward Nutrition
- Educated Choices Program
How can food influence the way we age? "Healthy Ageing: Enhancing Healthspan with Plant-Forward Nutrition" is being designed for older adults and those who care for older adults. Discover strategies …
- Posted April 29, 2024
- Course Materials
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Reproductive Rights in Higher Education: University Health Clinic Scorecards
- Bard College (NY)
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Center for Biological Diversity (AZ)
College is a time for discovery – a time to learn more about yourself and others. It is when youth move into adulthood. This transition should be done in an …
- Posted April 25, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Earth day Celebration 2024 @ AUC Tahrir CultureFest
- American University in Cairo (Cairo)
Sunday, April 21, 2024 Reconnecting People: Better Together Reveal of the Third Edition of AUC's Sustainability Report, 2024: Learn about AUC's newest sustainability report, which showcases our University's sustainability efforts …
- Posted April 24, 2024
- Photographs
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MIT adds another pollinator garden installation
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
MIT students at MacGregor House worked with horticulturalist Grace Coburn to plant two new raised gardens filled with pollinator plants. The planter gardens are the latest installation building off MIT's …
- Posted April 23, 2024
- Photographs
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UNC Charlotte Campus Beautification Day
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
University of North Carolina Charlotte staff, students, faculty, and alumni planted trees and picked up litter around campus on April 17th in celebration of Earth Month.
- Posted April 23, 2024
- Photographs
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Biggest Hour For Earth
- Technological University Dublin (Dublin)
Campaign message:
The countdown for Earth Hour is on! Since its beginnings, Earth Hour has been known for the symbolic 'lights off' in support of our planet. But this year, …
- Posted April 4, 2024
- Photographs
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Sustainability and Health and Well-Being: Making Common Cause for Greater Impact
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
Sustainability and health share common concerns, values, and aspirations. The work of promoting sustainability, and the work of promoting health and wellbeing within higher education and more broadly is a …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Inner Development Goals for Sustainable Development Goal Success
- Auburn University (AL)
- Mount Holyoke College (MA)
Is it possible to influence the outer world by changing our inner world? If so, what skills, abilities, and qualities does one need to effectively bring about change, and how …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Thriving as a Sustainable Leader: Creating a Personalized Resiliency Plan
- Lebanon Valley College (PA)
In this session, we will examine the leadership challenges and opportunities that are specific to the intersection of sustainability and social justice work, including how external stressors have become more …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Changing the Way Sustainability Feels by Engaging the Five Senses
- University of Southern Maine (ME)
Too often, Universities’ sustainability outreach efforts feel transactional and lacking in human empathy for the intended audience. Sometimes we, the practitioners, get so caught up in crafting the perfect arguments …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Practicing Hope: Combatting Pessimism in the Climate Movement
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
In the current state of the world, we are all experiencing heightened feelings of anxiety, fatigue, and despair. Crisis after crisis takes an enormous toll on our mental health and …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Climate Emotions: From Anxiety to Action
- Hampshire College (MA)
- Tufts University (MA)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
- Williams College (MA)
- The All We Can Save Project
Eco anxiety is real and pervasive. Students, faculty and community members often struggle with the overwhelming impacts of climate change, species loss, and structural environmental inequities. Sustainability practitioners in Higher …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Developing Climate Hope, Antidotes for Climate Anxiety
- Dartmouth College (NH)
In our line of work, we’re all familiar enough with climate anxiety and grief–it’s easy enough to despair amidst the daily slew of depressing headlines, after all. Couple this with …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Fostering Resilience to Counter Eco-Anxiety: Mindful Multi-Modal Journaling
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
Eco-anxiety surrounding the climate crisis is negatively affecting the mental health and wellness of students in schools and is compounded by the mental health and wellness crisis initiated by the …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Channeling Climate Anxiety Toward Collective Action Through the Employee Resource Group Model
- Marquette University (WI)
While working groups and committees are effective for achieving collaborative sustainability outcomes on campuses, these structures do not always prioritize community building or foster wellbeing. This session will look at …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Supporting Resilient Climate Leaders: Designing Emotionally Informed Sustainability Programming
- Tufts University (MA)
Drawing from dissertation research on how youth climate activists process their emotions, this presentation makes suggestions for sustainability professionals who wish to support the complex emotional experiences of our students …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Webinar: CSA as a Benefit: Cultivating Sustainability and Improving Health
- University of Kentucky (KY)
- AASHE (MA)
- Organic Association of Kentucky (KY)
Colleges and universities have unique resources and infrastructures that allow them to develop, pilot, and study replicable employee benefits programs that fulfill Sustainability and Wellness goals. Additionally, innovations by colleges …
- Posted Sept. 14, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Back to school
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The start of the new academic year at the Université de Sherbrooke is an opportunity for the university community to take advantage of the campuses and its beautiful nature in …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Student on the Main Campus
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The Université de Sherbrooke, nicknamed the “Green University”, provides its community with various extraordinary green spaces.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Adaptive measures
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The Program for the Integration of Students living with Disabilities of the Université de Sherbrooke is designed to assist students with disabilities or learning disabilities succeed in their university studies …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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A campus where it's good to be
- Université Laval (QC)
Social cohesion is important for sustainable development. Every year, the University organizes activities at the start of the academic year to encourage people to take ownership of the campus and …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
- Photographs
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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.
PA 12: Employee Compensation
- Local living wage for a family of 4
- Percent of employees that receive a living wage
- Living wage policy or commitment
- Website URL - Employee compensation
PA 13: Assessing Employee Satisfaction
- Methodology for evaluating employee satisfaction and engagement
- Website URL - Assessing employee satisfaction
PA 14: Wellness program
- Description of the institution’s wellness program
- Smoke-free policy (upload)
- Smoke-free policy (description)
- Website URL - Wellness programs
PA 14: Workplace Health & Safety
- Annual number of employee work-related injury incidents per 100 FTE employees
- Website URL - Workplace health and safety
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.