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

880
Total Resources
472
Organizations
21
Countries
48
U.S. States & Territories
7
Canadian Provinces

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.

55 resources

University of Rochester’s Analysis of WexWindows

  • University of Rochester (NY)

A pilot study was conducted at the Medical Center G7011 area to evaluate the effectiveness of WexWindows as a potential retrofit solution for University of Rochester’s aging and underperforming ...

  • Posted Jan. 10, 2024
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Creation of a Pollinator Garden at Farmingdale State College

  • State University of New York at Farmingdale (NY)

In the Spring of 2023 Farmingdale State College's Office for Sustainability partnered with the college's Horticulture department to design an on-campus pollinator garden. The site is currently a ...


We Feed Aggie Animals

  • Texas A&M University (TX)
  • Chartwells Higher Education (NY)

Texas A&M Aggie Dining launched a new "We Feed Aggie Animals" food waste initiative to enhance goals of eliminating food waste while supporting the campus community. Starting in January 2022 ...


Virtual Energy Treasure Hunt Event

  • Suffolk County Community College (NY)

In April 2021, Suffolk County Community College hosted our first US Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Treasure Hunt Event. The DOE describes the Treasure Hunt as “One of the best ...


SUNY New Paltz Pivots from Plastic Bottles to Aluminum Cans to Move Beyond Plastics

  • State University of New York at New Paltz (NY)

In the fall of 2020, Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS), which contracts on behalf of SUNY New Paltz for beverages to be distributed through vending machines and the dining services contractor ...

  • Posted Feb. 24, 2021
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Reusable to-go Program at Northwestern Dining During a Global Pandemic

  • Northwestern University (IL)
  • Chartwells Higher Education (NY)
  • Compass Group (NC)

Northwestern University opened its dining commons during the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall of 2020 with an emphasis on reusable to-go service ware. This program used the O2GO OZZI containers ...


The House at Cornell Tech

  • Cornell University (NY)

The House at Cornell Tech is the largest Passive House residential building to date, integrated within an 800,000 square foot campus designed to push the boundaries of sustainable city ...

  • Posted Sept. 11, 2020
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Cost Savings and Carbon Reduction through DERs -- GridMarket Facilitated Project at Paul Quinn College

  • Paul Quinn College (TX)
  • GridMarket (NY)

GridMarket worked with Paul Quinn College to help them identify and maximize their unique DER opportunities.

GridMarket -- an energy consumer advocate and distributed energy resources project facilitation platform -- conducted a ...

  • Posted Sept. 11, 2020
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St. Lawrence University Green Café Farm To Table Course

  • St. Lawrence University (NY)

St. Lawrence University's student-run Green café class is a collaborative and multi-stakeholder venture with Dining Services, Seed to Table (student food justice club), undergraduates from across disciplines, and three ...


Energy Waste Reduction Program

  • Suffolk County Community College (NY)

Since its inception in August of 2014, Suffolk County Community College’s Energy Waste Reduction Program has saved over 4.9 million dollars in unnecessary utility expenditure. We would like ...


From Weather Wizard to Cloud Man: Sustainability Education & Outreach with a Fun Approach

  • Cornell University (NY)
  • American Meteorological Society (DC)

The goal of this project is to educate young students about sustainability and create a passion for the environment. Frequently, schools wait until middle school to introduce environmental topics. My ...


On-site Energy Manager Program

  • SUNY Jefferson Community College (NY)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (NY)

In February of 2019 Jefferson Community College began a one-year commitment to provide a one-half time FTE On-site Energy Manager position in partnership with NYSERDA under project code OsEM17-C, (PON ...


Columbia University transitions to electric intercampus buses to reduce emissions by 70%

  • Columbia University (NY)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (NY)
  • New Flyer (MB)

In 2018, Columbia University introduced six new battery-electric transit-style buses to its intercampus shuttle network as a way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from campus operations, improve local air ...


San Bernardino Community College’s Journey to sustainability and achieving Zero Net Energy

  • Arup (NY)
  • San Bernardino Community College District (CA)

In San Bernardino Community College District (SBCC) pursuit to lead the journey in sustainability, SBCC committed itself back in 2010 to a “Sustainability Plan”. This commitment started at its Crafton ...


Mail and Courier Sustainability Project

  • University of Rochester (NY)

Patricia Van Valkenburgh, University of Rochester Class of 2019, developed, implemented, and completed an initiative to reduce gas emissions from the University Mail Services (UMS) mail fleet, which had recently ...


A Behavior Based Energy Conservation Program at Suffolk County Community College

  • Suffolk County Community College (NY)

Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) is the largest community college in New York State, with over 26,000 students enrolled across three campuses and two extension sites. As a large ...


The ripple effect: Hydo-Aeorponics growing on campus

  • Missouri Southern State University (MO)
  • Chartwells Higher Education (NY)

In August of 2016 Missouri State University brought 2 zip grow towers( a Hydo-Aeorponics vertical grow tower system) to campus in partnership to display a hyper-local growing option for produce ...


Fashion Institute of Technology Energy Master Plan

  • Fashion Institute of Technology (NY)
  • NYC Mayor's Office of Sustainability (NY)

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a leading art and design school in New York City, has made impressive strides to reduce its energy and carbon footprints. By implementing an ...


Recovery and Reuse; On-Campus and Off

  • Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)

Many of the challenges sustainability seeks to address can be challenging to visualize. Moreover, the scale of these challenges can stifle the motivation to act before one even begins. These ...

  • Posted March 5, 2018
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Art as the Catalyst for Critical Sustainability Conversations

  • University at Albany (NY)

The University at Albany is proud to submit an application that illustrates our use of art as the catalyst for critical sustainability conversations. This was accomplished via two main projects ...


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 ...


Eagles, Education, and Engagement through Green Technology

  • Alfred State College (NY)

Alfred State College (ASC) School of Applied Technology and the United States National Arboretum (USNA) have collaborated for over eight years in an innovative partnership that has generated significant measurable ...

  • Posted June 10, 2016
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RIT FoodShare

  • Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)

RIT FoodShare is an initiative on the RIT campus that has been established to address food insecurity and food waste. It is both a campus food pantry and a facebook ...

  • Posted June 10, 2016
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Plant-Powered Dining @ Cornell University

  • Cornell University (NY)

Student Sustainability coordinators sought to do something in line with these initiatives at Cornell. Many universities have adopted versions of a “Meatless Monday” program, or have an all-vegetarian dining hall ...

  • Posted June 10, 2016
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Union College's Presidential Green Grants: Empowering our community to make a more sustainable world

  • Union College - NY (NY)

Our greatest resource as an institution is the creativity and energy of our community. Union College’s Presidential Green Grant (PGG) program leverages this creativity and energy by supporting novel ...

  • Posted June 10, 2016
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Starting with small energy conservation projects leads to huge energy conservation success

  • University of Rochester (NY)

The University of Rochester has many competing demands for funding. In the early 2000’s energy projects were managed by individual facilities departments with typically less than $40,000 expended ...


Implementing sustainability education with undergraduate business courses, A case study

  • Alfred State College (NY)

The purpose of this submission is to discuss experiential learning related to strategic management and environmental sustainability. The paper outlines one case of implementing project-based sustainability education within the BUAD ...


Sustainable Development Goals

  • State University of New York at Fredonia (NY)

For this project, my objective was to initially get my campus to adopt the United Nation's Sustainable Development goals. I didn't have any expectations as to how the ...


LED Lighting in New York University's Student Center

  • New York University (NY)

This past year, New York University undertook a lighting project in the Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for University Life, resulting in a 100% LED fitted building. This project reduced ...

  • Posted June 19, 2015
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RIT FoodShare

  • Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)

RIT FoodShare is an initiative designed to reduce food waste on campus while reducing food insecurity among RIT students. It consists of two components - a facebook group and a FoodShare ...

  • Posted June 12, 2015
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Prioritizing Energy Conservation and Efficiency with the Help of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

  • University of Rochester (NY)

The University of Rochester has many competing demands for funding. Unfortunately, energy conservation projects often fall to the bottom of the priority list. By designating a point-person within the University ...

  • Posted June 11, 2015
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Charging for Disposable to-go Boxes to Reduce Waste and Generate Sustainability Funds (Updated)

  • Clarkson University (NY)

Multiple stakeholders came together at Clarkson University to implement a $0.50 charge on disposable to-go boxes in campus dining facilities. A reusable to-go box system was marketed and made ...

  • Posted June 11, 2015
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Creative Renewable Energy Solutions

  • Skidmore College (NY)

Skidmore College completed two complementary, innovative renewable energy projects in 2015. With encouragement from the campus community, along with favorable remote net metering regulations and New York State incentives, the ...

  • Posted June 11, 2015
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Should Higher Ed. Go Carbon Neutral: A Look at Forest Carbon

  • Clarkson University (NY)

This project analyzes the benefits, barriers, and perceptions that institutions of higher education have for forest carbon offset projects. In particular the benefits of investing in certified offsets were weighed ...

  • Posted March 28, 2014
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The University at Albany Liberty Terrace: Socially Conscious Building and Living

  • University at Albany (NY)

Liberty Terrace is the newest Residence Hall on the University's uptown campus with 500 apartment-style units. The building utilizes a ground source heat pump to provide 100% of its ...


Sabine Hall Science Building

  • Perkins+Will (NY)
  • Dallas College (TX)

Richland College, one of seven colleges of the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD), is dedicated to its mission of "teaching, learning and community building." Sabine Hall Science Building, its ...

  • Posted July 24, 2012
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Alfred State's Net-Zero Energy Demonstration Home

  • Alfred State College (NY)

Students in a variety of construction-related programs at Alfred State constructed a net-zero energy demonstration home as part of their coursework. The 2200 square foot home, which is located on ...


Skidmore College's Innovative District Geothermal System

  • Skidmore College (NY)

Skidmore College has utilized geothermal heating and cooling, a renewable energy, for several years now, beginning with the installations in our Northwoods Village residential apartments, then the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall ...


Recycling, Reuse, and Composting Program: Phase 1

  • University of Rochester (NY)

Until 2008, a formal recycling program did not exist at our University. In order to establish a sustainability program that would expand and thrive, Support Operations implemented Phase 1 of ...


Culture Clash: Art, Electrons, Teaching, Research, and Engagement Meet at the Solar Strand

  • University at Buffalo (NY)

The University at Buffalo's 750 kilowatt Solar Strand, brought to life by world-renowned artist Walter Hood, reflects a transformative vision that defines the future of sustainability. Its approach moves ...

  • Posted June 29, 2012
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Sustainable IT: Deploying and Demonstrating Innovative Data Center Cooling Technology to Achieve End Use Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Benefits at Rochester Institute of Technology

  • Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
  • OptiCool Technologies (NY)

In the spring of 2012 Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) worked with one of its Clean Energy Incubator (CEI) technology companies to deploy, test, and validate their advanced and innovative ...

  • Posted June 28, 2012
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Public-Private Food Waste Composting Program

  • Illinois State University (IL)
  • Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)

The goal of this project was to provide a viable option for businesses and institutions to divert their food waste from the solid waste stream. McLean County is a prime ...

  • Posted June 26, 2012
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Earning Green By Going Green: A Case Study of the Waste Stream at LIU Post

  • LIU Post (NY)

This is a complete analysis of the waste stream at LIU Post, looking at nearly every type of category of waste that we produce. A waste audit was conducted to ...

  • Posted June 11, 2012
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Pratt Institute - Myrtle Hall

  • Pratt Institute (NY)

Pratt Institute partnered to obtain a vacant lot at the northern boundary of our campus in Brooklyn , that had been a Kentucky Fried Chicken. The lot is part of the ...

  • Posted June 30, 2011
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Groundmaking: Class of 2010 Green Roof at Rensselaer

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY)

In the spring of 2011, after almost 16 months of planning, members from the entire Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute community joined hands in planting 18,000 small plants on a 6 ...

  • Posted June 25, 2011
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Greeks Go Green LEAF Rating System

  • Cornell University (NY)

The Greeks Go Green LEAF Rating system rates chapters and keeps track of their progress related to sustainability initiatives. This system provides for an objective, consistent evaluation of over 70 ...

  • Posted June 24, 2011
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Student Services Building

  • The University of Texas at Dallas (TX)
  • Perkins+Will (NY)

The new LEED Platinum certified Student Services Building (SSB) serves as a "one-stop-shop" destination for all student service activities offering 14 departments under one roof. The building design improves the ...

  • Posted June 24, 2011
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A Comprehensive Strategic Communications Plan for NYU's Office of Sustainability

  • New York University (NY)

Crowdsourcing the collective wisdom of the NYU Sustainability Task Force's all-volunteer Outreach and Engagement working group, with assistance from the Office of Sustainability, team members were able to develop ...

  • Posted June 24, 2011
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Comprehensive Operational Analysis of Green Granting Programs in US Higher Education

  • New York University (NY)

After three years and 52 funded projects awarded more than $250,000 NYU's Green Grants program took a year off from calling for new project proposals, and instead conducted ...

  • Posted June 24, 2011
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1702 - green dorm project

  • Pratt Institute (NY)

The Living Lab 1702 project began in Spring 2009 as an interdisciplinary studio course focused on sustainability. The goal: to challenge the students understanding of green design in order to ...

  • Posted June 21, 2011
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