Strategies to Address the Rising Cost of Higher Education
The 2012 installment of Presidential Perspectives, a higher education leadership series written by and for college presidents and published by ARAMARK, is focusing on the innovations, best practices and strategies that colleges and universities are embracing to address the rising cost of higher education. One chapter will be released each month.
New Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences Article
The newest issue of the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences features a campus sustainability case study at the University of Michigan. "Building Sustainability Change Management and Leadership Skills in Students: lessons learned from 'Sustainability and the Campus' at the University of Michigan," reveals that while student learning and project “success” are not directly correlated, students gain a deep understanding of change management complexity and build leadership skills, as well as confidence, while bolstering their resumes.
New STARS Spring 2012 Quarterly Review
Based on data from submitted STARS reports, AASHE's first STARS Quarterly Review offers a big-picture outlook on how diverse institutions are tackling challenges and capitalizing on opportunities to advance sustainability. Due to the growing number of STARS participants, AASHE will now publish quarterly reviews that capture the insights and knowledge gained from STARS reports.
New Facilities Manager Magazine with Sustainability Theme
Themed "Environmental Sustainability," the latest issue of APPA's Facilities Manager Magazine examines whether current campus climate efforts are enough. In his lead article, "Cool Campuses?!" (available as a free download), Walter Simpson says that the movement for campus climate action deserves high grades, but a greater effort is needed to address the growing climate crisis.
New Guide to Creating and Maintaining Eco-Rep Programs
This step-by-step guide, co-published by AASHE and National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Campus Ecology program, takes readers through the design, implementation and evaluation stages of an Eco-Rep program. The publication includes brief descriptions of actual programs and their best practices; case studies of successes and roadblocks; activity, event, marketing and outreach examples; and Eco-Rep recruiting tools, sample job descriptions, and other resources.
New Journal of Sustainability Education Issue
The just-launched 2012 issue of the Journal of Sustainability Education, a peer-reviewed, open access interdisciplinary e-journal from the Institute for Sustainable Social Change and the sustainability education Ph.D. program at Prescott College (Arizona), is themed "The Geography of Sustainability." New content includes "A Tale of Two Sustainabilities: Comparing sustainability in the global North and South to uncover meaning for educators" and "A Note on Urban Sustainability-Education Nexus" from the University of Memphis (Tennessee).
U Toronto Carbon Professional Path Workshop
The University of Toronto's (Ontario) Centre for Environment has partnered with HRCarbon to offer a "Carbon Professional Path" workshop in May 2012. Preparing participants for the CSA Standards greenhouse gas inventory quantifier certification, the workshop will cover the requirements of inventory quantification and quality management and reporting.
AASHE Expands Member Resources with Int’l Partners
With the goal of fostering a global dialogue around higher education sustainability, AASHE has partnered with Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) and the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) to share member resources. Members from each organization will now have access to all resources including publications, e-newsletters and networks, as well as sharing good practice from around the globe on issues such as resource efficiency, education, waste minimization and sustainability reporting.
GUNi Report: 'Higher Education's Commitment to Sustainability'
The Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi) has released the fourth report in its Higher Education in the World series: "Higher Education's Commitment to Sustainability: from Understanding to Action." Analyzing the link between sustainability and higher education, the publication includes trending topics, good practices and a map of how regions around the world are advancing sustainability. The publication also explores the main barriers that prevent the transformation of higher education institutions towards contributing to the sustainability paradigm, and highlights possible solutions.
USGBC White Paper: Impact of School Bldgs on Student Health
Higher education faculty, graduate and doctoral students who wish to pursue study in the area of school buildings and childhood health may be interested in this recently released white paper, "The Impact of School Buildings on Childhood Health and Learning: A Call for Research." The paper, released by the U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools in partnership with the McGraw Hill Foundation, is designed to be an accessible account of current research in this field, an assessment of research needed, and a summary of how individual groups can support the effort to draw connections between where students learn and their health and learning outcomes.
AASHE Interview Series: Small Planet's Frances Moore Lappé
AASHE talks with Frances Moore Lappé, founder of the Small Planet Institute, about her newest book, "EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think to Create the World We Want." Lappé discusses the importance of thinking critically about how different messages and metaphors impact our choices, and shares stories of her encounters with campus sustainability.
Bioneers Resource: Mapping Local Food & Energy Systems
Bioneers has released its "Dreaming New Mexico Methods" booklet, designed to provide tools, insights and tips on how to map existing food and energy systems, and how to imagine what an appropriate energy or food system might look like in the future. The free resource, designed to serve as a case study for higher education students, offers tips on social entrepreneurship and what one may encounter in attempting a project of this kind.
New Issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record
The latest issue of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.'s Sustainability: The Journal of Record looks at why the Living Building Challenge should be the new policy for every higher education institution in an interview with Cascadia Green Building Council CEO Jason McLennan. The issue also explores how to turn higher education budget cuts into sustainability opportunities, and profiles Portland State University's (OR) interconnected web approach to integrating sustainability into the curriculum with students as key players.
USGBC Higher Education Sustainability Profiles
Designed as examples to advance higher education sustainability practices at other institutions, the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Center for Green Schools has debuted a series of campus sustainability best practice profiles. The PowerPoint presentations, which include speaker notes, showcase stand-out stories and initiatives like Evergreen State College's (WA) partnership with Washington's Department of Corrections to reduce the operating costs of their prisons and provide green collar job trainings for inmates and staff.
AASHE Releases STARS 1.2
AASHE has released STARS 1.2, a version of STARS with minor substantive changes to the previous version, STARS 1.1. Minor changes include changing reporting fields associated with a credit; modifying criteria or definitions within a credit; and modifying how points are calculated for individual credits. Changes were recommended by Technical Advisor Work Groups and STARS staff in response to STARS participants’ questions and comments regarding STARS 1.1. All institutions registering after Feb. 8, 2012 will be required to use STARS 1.2.
AASHE Campus Sustainability Data Collector
As announced in January, AASHE has created a new Campus Sustainability Data Collector (CSDC) that eliminates the need for institutions to complete four separate surveys by collecting all campus sustainability data in one place. The CSDC, now available on AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) website, allows any higher education institution to report sustainability data and share it with The Princeton Review, Sierra magazine and the Sustainable Endowments Institute.
AASHE's 'Higher Education Occupation' Project
The voices of students, faculty, staff and administrators across the country are featured in AASHE's new "Higher Education Occupation" project. To help better understand the motivations of the Occupy Movement, AASHE asked the higher education community: "What does the Occupy Movement mean to you in the context of higher education sustainability?" Here are their answers. For those that didn't have a chance to share their voice on this topic, it's not too late! AASHE will include the Higher Education Occupation project in its upcoming 2011 Higher Education Sustainability Review. AASHE welcomes entries through March 15.
New AASHE Guest Blog: To Revolve or not to Revolve?
The latest AASHE guest blog features Joe Indvik, a 2010 graduate of Dartmouth College (NH) who helped design and implement a $1 million green revolving loan fund on campus. Indvik shares his perspective on this increasingly popular and innovative tactic for financing sustainability projects and generating monetary savings on campus.
Inaugural Issue of RIT Journal of Environmental Sustainability
The Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) has launched the Journal for Environmental Sustainability, a new publication with editorial staff from around the globe and informational articles about current understandings and trends within the field of environmental sustainability. The journal includes a broad selection of theoretical papers, applied research, case studies and commentaries by professionals in the field of environmental management.
Journal of Global Responsibility Special Issue: EfS in Business
Emerald Group Publishing Limited's The Journal of Global Responsibility has released a special issue on education for sustainability in business curriculum. "Nurturing Responsibility: Connecting Business Practice, Education and Sustainability" showcases examples of emerging good practice and includes a critical discussion of the broader contexts and initiatives that are guiding innovation in this area. Daniella Tilbury with the University of Gloucestershire's (UK) International Research Institute in Sustainability examines this issue in the lead article, "Today becomes Tomorrow: Re-thinking Business Practice, Education and Learning in the Context of Sustainability."
ACUPCC 'Campus Climate Leadership: Reports from the Field'
Released by the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), "Campus Climate Leadership: Reports from the Field (October 2008 - December 2010)" is a compilation of articles drawn from issues of its monthly newsletter, the ACUPCC Implementer, and other organizations implementing sustainability strategies. Articles written by experts and practitioners include examples, best practices and relevant stories from the education for sustainability movement over the past two years.
New Issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record
The latest issue of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.'s Sustainability: The Journal of Record includes a Q&A with Majora Carter, the founder of an economic consulting firm and nonprofit Sustainable South Bronx, who talks about instilling real change through group collaboration. AASHE's Niles Barnes takes a look at the innovations and sustainability champions honored during the annual Sustainability Awards at the AASHE 2011 conference. Part two of a roundtable discussion, "Race, Environment, and Sustainability," addresses the politics of race and urban environments and the movement of localization and global solidarity.
SEI Green Revolving Fund Case Study Series: U Colorado Boulder
The ninth installment of the Sustainable Endowments Institute's new series, Green Revolving Funds in Action: Case Studies of 10 Colleges, features the University of Colorado Boulder's green revolving fund. In partnership with AASHE and other organizations, the series takes a look at how innovative green revolving funds save energy and "grow money" at higher education institutions.
Education for Sustainability: Guides for Teaching and Learning
In an effort to provide a framework for enhancing teaching and learning in sustainability, the Sustainability Team at the University of Gloucestershire (UK) has released two installments of its Education for Sustainability (EfS): Guides for Teaching and Learning series. A Guide for University Managers on Needs and Opportunities explores strategic needs, benefits and the potential for EfS in the curriculum and in partnership with external organizations. A Guide for Educators on Teaching and Learning Approaches provides orientation on the aims and principles of EfS to inform curriculum development work.
New AASHE Resource: Conference Materials Database
AASHE has made available all of the conference posters, panels and presentations from AASHE 2011 in Pittsburgh and AASHE 2010 in Denver in one searchable database. Conference materials can be searched by conference year, category, organization, session type and keyword. Blog posts, photos and videos can also be found on the AASHE conference website. Stay tuned for details about AASHE 2012, slated for Oct. 14-17 in Los Angeles.
New and Improved AASHE Campus Sustainability Officers Web Page
AASHE has released a new and improved web page, Resources for Campus Sustainability Officers, featuring professional development opportunities, example job descriptions, sustainability staffing surveys and other resources to help build the profession and facilitate the work of sustainability officers.
New SEED Sustainable Ag, Transportation Resources
The American Association of Community College's (AACC) Sustainability Education and Economic Development (SEED) Initiative has debuted two new resources to help educators develop and enhance green job training programs and courses. The Sustainable Ag., Food & Land sector includes organizations and resources that integrate environmental, social and economic factors into land use, food preparation and land specific practices. The Transportation & Fuels sector covers the area of electric and hybrid vehicle development and maintenance, natural gas, fuel cells, battery storage and renewable fuel sources including ethanol, biodiesel, algae and methane.
New AASHE Blog: Higher Education's Future - Not Failing the 3R's
"As I look at the future of higher education I see three things institutions must do better to survive (not just succeed but survive)," writes AASHE Executive Director Paul Rowland in this new blog. Incorporating Relevance, Responsibility and Relationships, Rowland describes the "3R" framework that he sees as essential to the future of higher education.
New AASHE Blog: Kicking off COP 17 in Durban, South Africa
For those who can't make it to Durban, South Africa this year for the 17th Conference of Parties (COP 17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, this AASHE blog is following the action as 194 parties convene to discuss global solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt resolutions to strategically address climate change. The blog includes resources from Climate Action Network International and SustainUS, among others.
New AASHE Guest Blog: The 4 C's to Recycling Success
A new AASHE guest blog by the University of Michigan’s Alison Richardson, who works in the university's Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling, summarizes key take-aways and findings from the office’s compilation of recycling best practices among top recycling buildings on campus. These best practices were condensed into a guide to help lower-performing buildings boost their recycling rates.
New Book: Ecologically Sustainable Reforms in Curriculum
Eco-Justice Press has released a new book by C. A. Bowers, "Educational Reforms for the 21st Century: How to Introduce Ecologically Sustainable Reforms in Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies." The book introduces pedagogical strategies for addressing the linguistic colonization of the present by the past; the teacher’s role as a cultural mediator between the cultural commons and consumer-dependent experiences; and how computers contribute to the enclosure of the cultural commons.
Updated NWF Campus Sustainability Database
The National Wildlife Federation has added 100 new case studies to its campus sustainability case study database, which now includes more than 600 studies from higher education campuses across the U.S. Highlighted efforts include energy efficiency improvements, alternative transportation systems and green jobs training programs. The database is searchable by topic, year and school, and includes information on project goals, successes, challenges, funding strategies and project leaders.
Academic Impressions: Proactive Deferred Maintenance Strategies
As higher education institutions are caught between a growing deferred maintenance backlog and increasing needs for capital expansion as they compete for students, faculty and research dollars, it is critical to develop a sustainable model for funding facilities replacement and renewal, says this recent Academic Impressions article. The article provides examples of proactive approaches to deferred maintenance including an initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that uses energy and water savings from efficiency projects to fund maintenance efforts.
New AASHE Blog: Staying Aligned with STARS
This new blog post from AASHE's STARS team outlines the features of the free, monthly STARS Update. From STARS website and reporting tool updates to news from the STARS Steering Committee, the e-newsletter keeps the higher education community up-to-date on the latest STARS information.
Department of Ed Sustainability Education Summit Report
The U.S. Department of Education has released a Proceedings Report that provides an overview of its September 2010 "Sustainability Education Summit: Citizenship and Pathways for a Green Economy." Including industry, academic and government representatives' comments from the summit’s four panel sessions, the report recommends ways to advance sustainability education throughout the country.
'iCreate Sustainability' Educators Website
Supported by the McGraw-Hill Research Foundation, this new iCreate Sustainability community website brings together practitioners in business, nonprofits and government with educators to collaborate on education for a sustainable future. Discussions include core competencies, career pathways and national trends.
Report: Higher Ed's Role in Adapting to a Changing Climate
Supported by Second Nature and Clean Air-Cool Planet, this new report evaluates how colleges and universities are preparing society for a changing climate through their education, research, operations and community engagement activities. The report was developed by the Higher Education Climate Adaptation Committee, a group of 13 leaders in higher education and experts in climate adaptation convened by the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in March 2011.
New Issue of Int'l Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
The latest issue of Emerald Group Publishing Limited's International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education includes an analysis of higher education institutions as partners in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership. The issue also explores how to communicate the sustainability message in higher education institutions, and different philosophies toward achieving campus sustainability.
AASHE Interview Series: Mission-Based Sustainability
AASHE talks with representatives from the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, Santa Clara University’s Office of Sustainability and the University of Notre Dame’s Office of Sustainability about the ideas and goals behind the new publication, "Sustainability and Catholic Higher Education: A Toolkit for Mission Integration."
New AASHE Blog: Campuses Celebrate First National Food Day
Higher education advocacy played a big role in the inaugural nationwide Food Day, marked by at least 2,000 events in 50 states. Organized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the grassroots mobilization encouraged the nation to not only eat healthy food grown in a sustainable and humane way, but to also advocate for smarter food policies. From petitioning for local campus food sources to panels and picnics, this blog highlights the variety of ways that campuses celebrated Food Day.
New AASHE Student Resources & Action Page
AASHE has released a new Resources for Students web page. These resources are designed to empower students to take real and meaningful action on campus in areas including food, waste, climate action, outreach and communications, and many others. Students and alums can learn how to get more involved with sustainability in higher education, gain greater recognition for their sustainability efforts, and connect with other students.
New Issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record
The latest issue of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.'s Sustainability: The Journal of Record includes a look at the growth of sustainable agriculture programs and a review of the new book, "Fields of Learning: The Student Farm Movement in North America." Part one of a roundtable discussion, "Race, Environment, and Sustainability," explores why it is important for the sustainability movement to look deeply into issues of race.
SEI Green Revolving Fund Case Study Series: U Notre Dame
The eighth installment of the Sustainable Endowments Institute's new series, Green Revolving Funds in Action: Case Studies of 10 Colleges, features the University of Notre Dame's (IN) $2 million green revolving fund. In partnership with AASHE and other organizations, the series takes a look at how innovative green revolving funds save energy and "grow money" at higher education institutions.
SEI Green Revolving Fund Case Study Series: Western Michigan U
The latest installment of the Sustainable Endowments Institute's new series, Green Revolving Funds in Action: Case Studies of 10 Colleges, features Western Michigan University's green revolving fund. In partnership with AASHE and other organizations, the series takes a look at how innovative green revolving funds save energy and "grow money" at higher education institutions.
AASHE 2011 Conference Coverage
Volunteer transcriptionists and AASHE staff covered the sessions and keynotes during the AASHE 2011 conference in Pittsburgh. Coverage including a student-organized protest of the Keystone XL pipeline during President Obama's visit to Pittsburgh and videos of Majora Carter's and Dr. Tim White's keynote speeches are available on AASHE's Campus Sustainability Perspectives blog.
Collegiate Football Sustainable Materials Management Toolkit
Supported by AASHE, the College and University Recycling Coalition and Keep America Beautiful, this toolkit provides a guide for institutions of higher education across the country to implement or improve their game day recycling and sustainability efforts. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a national panel of higher education representatives, the toolkit originated with a comprehensive survey distributed and evaluated in spring 2011 by a team of students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Northwest Earth Inst. Releases Sustainable Food Systems Curricula
The Northwest Earth Institute has releases a new six-session discussion course on sustainable food systems. Available for faculty professional development, classroom curricula and community-based learning, the course focuses on food systems as they interact with human and ecological systems, food politics and the ethics of our food choices.
SEED Green Action Plan Series
Aimed at senior administrators, faculty and staff, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has released its "SEED Green Action Plan Series," a set of guides and actionable steps that higher education institutions can use to prepare a skilled workforce and become change agents in regional efforts to develop a green and sustainable economy. The series is produced by AACC's Sustainability Education and Economic Development (SEED) center, in collaboration with AASHE, Second Nature and the Greenforce Initiative.
