Case Studies
Introduction
AASHE’s case study library contains hundreds of detailed case studies on a wide variety of higher education sustainability initiatives from faculty development programs to whole campus energy retrofits to community partnerships. All case studies are entered in the annual AASHE Awards Program.
At a Glance
Total Resources
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Bars in graphs can be clicked to view resources that align with a particular category. Because a resource may be listed under multiple topics and disciplines, graph data may include higher total counts than what is indicated in total resources above.
New Resources
Community Engaged Scholarship and Learning in Urban Forestry helps UTRGV earn Tree Campus USA Designation
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
In 2014, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (through its legacy institution UTPA), one of the largest Hispanic Serving Institutions in the country, proposed and offered three iterations of …
- Posted May 19, 2017
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Portland State University - All Gender Restroom Policy
- Portland State University (OR)
In late 2015 Portland State University (PSU) administration officially adopted an all gender restroom policy (also sometimes referred to as gender-neutral, unisex, or universal) for the PSU campus. The all …
- Posted May 19, 2017
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Stanford achieves dramatic greenhouse gas emissions reductions to surpass state, national, and international climate targets
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford Energy System Innovations (SESI) is a new campus energy system powered by renewables, designed to meet the current and future energy needs of Stanford University in an environmentally, socially, …
- Posted May 18, 2017
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Johnson County Community College Student Sustainability Committee
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
As a broadly effective, innovative, engaging, and replicable project, Johnson County Community College’s Student Sustainability Committee [the SSC, the Committee] is a compelling and powerful tool for developing student leadership …
- Posted May 18, 2017
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KMRB Energy Reduction Project
- University of Rochester (NY)
The University of Rochester’s Medical Center operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week in a 5.4 million square foot complex. Facilities Operations is responsible for providing conditioned air for …
- Posted May 18, 2017
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NC State University Achieves 95 Percent Diversion With Building Deconstruction
- North Carolina State University (NC)
Harrelson Hall, the first round classroom building constructed on a university campus, was deconstructed in 2016 and NC State University exceeded its waste diversion goal, diverting 95 percent of non-hazardous …
- Posted May 18, 2017
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American University in Cairo 2017 Carbon Footprint Report
- American University in Cairo (Cairo)
The first step of reducing a university’s carbon footprint is measuring its current size. The 2017 Carbon Footprint Report is the 4th in the American University in Cairo’s Carbon Footprint …
- Posted May 18, 2017
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Project Green Step 2030: Catawba College Campus Solar Energy Installation
- Catawba College (NC)
Catawba College completed a solar energy project in 2016 that is projected to produce more solar electricity than all the other North Carolina colleges and universities combined. This was the …
- Posted May 18, 2017
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Watershed UGA: A living laboratory transforming campus and community through teaching, research and service
- University of Georgia (GA)
Watershed UGA created a vision and framework for using the campus as a living laboratory to advance sustainability through teaching, research, public service and outreach, and university operations. We are …
- Posted May 18, 2017
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The Ohio State University Sustainability Goals Development Project
- The Ohio State University (OH)
In November 2015, The Ohio State University announced the establishment of sustainability goals to guide the university as it develops durable solutions to the challenges of sustainability and in evolving …
- Posted May 16, 2017
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Fix It Friday
- Illinois State University (IL)
Fix It Friday is a program in which fashion students set up sewing machines in various places within the Illinois State University campus and the surrounding Bloomington-Normal community and offer …
- Posted May 16, 2017
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UTA CARES: Open Education and Open Pedagogy for Sustainable Future and Resource Conservation
- University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
Reducing the cost of a college education is a frequent topic in higher education circles. Some colleges and universities such as UT Arlington have been trying to find other ways …
- Posted May 16, 2017
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GreenApps Eco-Reps Sustainability Leadership and Engagement Course
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The GreenApps: Eco-Reps Program was developed in order to recruit on-campus students to join the Office of Sustainability team to assist with education and promotion of campus sustainability through a …
- Posted May 16, 2017
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Zero Waste Guide and the Good Food Festival Case Study
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
Throughout the semester, Joe Iosbaker, UIC's Recycling Coordinator and Office of Sustainability (OS) staff member, and Ula Renetskis, Office of Sustainability Intern and author, have been working with Bright Beat …
- Posted May 15, 2017
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Oregon State U Fully Transitions to Reusable Food To Go Containers
- Oregon State University (OR)
The "Eco2Go" food container program at Oregon State University (OSU) Housing & Dining Services (UHDS) has eliminated all but a few specialized uses of disposable take-out containers within dining services, …
- Posted May 15, 2017
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Linking Sustainability with Study Abroad
- Delta College (MI)
This project describes the planning, development, and implementation of integrating sustainability into study abroad in existing travel and through establishing new destinations. It also constructs a model that includes a …
- Posted May 15, 2017
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PowerZee – Sustainable Change through User Engagement
- Nanyang Technological University
- ENGIE (TX)
PowerZee (formerly PowerZ) is a smartphone application (‘app’) developed by NTU, along with industry partner ENGIE, for energy conservation and sustainability through user engagement. The application fosters knowledge and nudges …
- Posted May 11, 2017
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NC State University Creates Make-a-thon To Inspire Sustainability Ideas
- North Carolina State University (NC)
Imagine. It's a Saturday night and dozens of students are packed in your school's library. They're crowded around 3D printers, circuit boards and laptops translating 3D AutoCAD designs into real-life …
- Posted May 11, 2017
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Temple Tiny House
- Temple University (PA)
The Temple University Tiny House project is a student designed and student constructed sustainable building located at Temple Community Garden on main campus. Completed in spring 2017, the 175 square …
- Posted May 11, 2017
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LEED® Platinum - University of Miami Frost School of Music Studios
- University of Miami (FL)
The Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music is one of the largest and best music schools located in a private university in the U.S., and one of the most …
- Posted May 11, 2017
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Simon Fraser University’s Zero Waste Initiative
- Simon Fraser University (BC)
SFU was one of the first universities to implement a standardized, 4-stream Zero Waste system (including composting) uniformly across all three of its campuses, each of which lies in a …
- Posted May 9, 2017
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Case Study: Oregon State University Becomes the First University to Accept Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) at University Run Grocery Store
- Oregon State University (OR)
In January 2016, OSU began accepting SNAP at a campus grocery store, allowing individuals with SNAP to access these funds while on campus. OSU is the first to have a …
- Posted May 9, 2017
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The Urban Agriculture Community-based Research Experience (U-ACRE) Project
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
- Fullerton College (CA)
- Santa Ana College (CA)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
In Orange County, 36% of low-income households experience hunger at least once a day and well over 1/3 are children. Engaging students in experiential learning that addresses sustainability in the …
- Posted May 9, 2017
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Sustainability Marketing, Messaging and Design for Good at Chemeketa Community College
- Chemeketa Community College (OR)
Chemeketa Sustainability served as a client to the college's Visual Communications program to create cohesive marketing for use in future sustainability campaigns and promotions.
- Posted May 8, 2017
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San Jose State University Chiller Plant Improvements
- San Jose State University (CA)
The Chilled Water Plant underwent a major retrofit which was completed in 2012, which included the replacement of two electric chillers and the re-piping of the plant to allow the …
- Posted May 3, 2017
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SJSU Student Health and Wellness Center
- San Jose State University (CA)
The Student Health and Counseling facility was constructed to enhance access for students living on campus while balancing convenient care for the growing residential population through both location and features …
- Posted April 26, 2017
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Boiler Feed Recycled Water Conversion Project
- San Jose State University (CA)
The Central Plant facilities at San Jose State University (SJSU) campus currently uses approximately 23,000 CCF annually of potable water at the boiler make-up water feed system. In order to …
- Posted April 26, 2017
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INhouse : a design|build project focused on collaboration, student engagement, and situational design
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
INhouse was a net-zero residence designed by a collaborative Cal Poly San Luis Obispo team in response to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015.
The Solar Decathlon is …
- Posted April 24, 2017
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Seattle University On-Site Composting Facility
- Seattle University (WA)
In 2002 Seattle University (SU) built a state-of-the-art, on-campus composting facility. The composting facility is a unique, sustainable, closed-loop system that processes pre-consumer food and yard waste that is produced …
- Posted April 20, 2017
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Carbon Tax
- Whitman College (WA)
The Associated Students of Whitman College (ASWC) Sustainability Committee passed a self-imposed carbon tax on February 7, 2016. The tax is designed to raise money for the Green Fund, a …
- Posted March 13, 2017
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SAVE Sustainable Actions Visible Effects
- Pomona College (CA)
Project Overview Pomona-College is excited to present their innovative partnership with MelRok, “The Streaming Energy Innovator”. This partnership is the foundation of Pomona’s SAVE, Sustainable Actions Visible Effects initiative to …
- Posted March 9, 2017
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Icebox Detox Challenge
- Arizona State University (AZ)
The Icebox Detox Challenge addresses environmental stewardship activities by promoting an environment where laboratories have an accurate inventory of all biological samples at ASU. This innovative approach allows researchers to …
- Posted July 27, 2016
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UT Farm Stand
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
UT Farm Stand is a student-led project that provides local and organic fresh foods to the University of Texas at Austin students, faculty, and staff. Our mission is focused on …
- Posted June 16, 2016
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Ohio State University Sustainability Goals Project and Campus As A Living Laboratory Digital Archive
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Undergraduates in the Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS) major at The Ohio State University (OSU) complete a capstone course where student research teams analyze specific action priorities of the …
- Posted June 16, 2016
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Atlanta People's Climate March and Climate Summits
- Georgia State University (GA)
Sustainable Energy Tribe (SET), the largest student environmental group on Georgia State University's campus, worked to make climate change and environmental justice major themes for the year. These efforts had …
- Posted June 16, 2016
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Net Impact Energy Efficiency Project
- Saint Joseph's University (PA)
- Net Impact (CA)
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The Saint Joseph's University Net Impact Undergraduate chapter has been collaborating with R World Energy Solutions—a sustainable energy consultant to business—over the past year in order to conduct an energy …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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UCSC Climate & Energy Strategy- A Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality by 2025
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
Over the past 18 months, UCSC has been implementing a process to develop a comprehensive Climate and Energy Strategy (CES) to support its goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2025. …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Sustainabiliy Impact Fund
- Northwestern University (IL)
This project is a student-led initiative to allow Northwestern alumni to donate to supporting sustainability initiatives on our campus. Titled the Sustainability Impact Fund, this initiative includes directed fundraising efforts …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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ReCycle Bikes
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TX)
ReCycle Bikes is a bike rental program designed to allow students, who demonstrate a need, access to free, eco-friendly transportation in exchange for sustainability project-related volunteer hours and peer-to-peer education. …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Rescued Food Feast
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Aramark (PA)
The Rescued Food Feast was an event held at Arizona State University and was a collaboration between the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, Aramark Higher Education, Sprouts Farmers …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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The Big Ten Prospectus: Aligning Sustainability with Collective Mission Level Priorities
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
- Michigan State University (MI)
- Northwestern University (IL)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Central Office (NJ)
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
- University of Iowa (IA)
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
- Purdue University (IN)
With higher education facing ongoing budget cuts, top to bottom reviews of programs and policies, and critical questions regarding the value of a college education, we—as sustainability professionals—must be able …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Students and Sustainability: Mechanism for making Green Leaders
- Ball State University (IN)
Introduction: Lead primarily by student initiative, a sustainability program has evolved into a new program whose mechanics are meant to make action, foster sustainable leaders, and educate a sustainable culture …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Students for Sustainability
- University of Arizona (AZ)
The University of Arizona’s Students for Sustainability program empowers students, builds leaders, and pursues institutionalized sustainability. The program embodies the University’s 100% student engagement model through its organizational structure, which …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Middlebury College's Innovative Land Conservation and Financing Project
- Middlebury College (VT)
In 1915, a visionary Vermont environmentalist bequeathed to Middlebury College a large tract of land, located 12 miles from the main campus, part of which became home to the College’s …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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UCLA is the Largest Public University in the U.S. to achieve Fair Trade Status
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities
University of California, Los Angeles, part of a national initiative by Fair Trade Campaigns to engage college/university students in issues of global poverty, officially received designation as a Fair Trade …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Point of Departure: Place Making and Identity Via Integrated, Didactic & Sustainable Transit Shelters
- University of Kentucky (KY)
The College of Design (CoD) & The Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) saw an opportunity to advance the University of Kentucky’s sustainability agenda by developing real world projects—critically placed …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Community engagement and education on energy and water conservation
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
Our capstone Sustainability class students at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) performed over twenty energy and water audits on local businesses in 2016. Each student was required to write up …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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UW Green Greek Representative Program
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
Officially launched in November 2015, the Green Greek Representative Program (GGRP) is a student run program working through UW EcoReps and supported by UW Sustainability to make the Greek Community …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Sustainable Carolina Leadership Program
- University of South Carolina (SC)
The Sustainable Carolina Leadership Program is a sustainability-focused, student professional development program at the University of South Carolina, . It was conceived and developed over the course of six years …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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Mohawk College Environmental Management Plan
- Mohawk College (ON)
In 2011, Mohawk College was the first college in Ontario, Canada to release a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (EMP) that laid out steps to enhance campus sustainability and set a …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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