Paper on Reasons for Green College Admissions Processes
ConnectEDU has released a "green" paper entitled, "Why 2008 is the Year of Green Admissions." The paper is a report of research conducted to evaluate student perspectives around going green as they approach college admission. The paper reports on how green accomplishments affect college choice and how campuses can be socially responsible during the admission process. The Connect! Green Survey, a survey which polled the high school class of 2009 for the report, found that, although colleges are engaged in
List of Sustainability Course Inventories
AASHE has published a list of sustainability course inventories. The list highlights institutions that have cataloged their sustainability course offerings and links to each campus' inventory. This resource is available to AASHE members only.
Presidential Perspectives Chapter on Green Issues at U W. Georgia
The Presidential Perspectives Series has released a new chapter entitled, "Red, White, Blue, and Green – University of West Georgia," authored by Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, President of the University of West Georgia. In the chapter, Dr. Sethna discusses how sustainability is taking an increasingly prominent role on college campuses and how success with environmental initiatives ultimately requires equal parts of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the community.
List of Campus Recycling & Waste Minimization Websites
AASHE has published a list of campus recycling and waste minimization websites on its resource center. All waste management programs listed have elements of source reduction, waste minimization or reduction, waste stream diversion, or recycling. This resource is only accessible to AASHE members.
New Book on the Linguistic Basis of Sustainability Education
Chet C. Bowers has published a book entitled, "Toward a Post-Industrial Consciousness: Understanding the Linguistic Basis of Ecologically Sustainable Education Reforms." The book features chapters on "The linguistic colonization of the present by past thinkers who were unaware of environmental issues," "revitalizing the cultural commons in an era of political and ecological uncertainties," and "toward an ecologically sustainable vocabulary." The book also contains a handbook for faculty workshops on how t
NWF Green Campus Newsletter
The National Wildlife Federation has started a free bi-weekly e-newsletter called ClimateEdu: News for the Green Campus. The newsletter aims to provide news, in-depth case studies, research updates, reviews, reports, tools, and announcements for on-campus environmental efforts. The goal of the publication is to support colleges and universities in their work of protecting wildlife and our own human habitat from the effects of environmental degradation and climate change.
New Thesis on the Factors That Affect Campus GHG Emissions
AASHE has posted a new thesis entitled, "U.S. Higher Education and Global Climate Change: An Exploration of Institutional Factors That Affect Greenhouse Gas Emissions". The study explores the differences between greenhouse gas emissions of different colleges and universities in the U.S. and analyzes some of the factors that might explain these differences. The thesis was completed by Luba Zhaurova, a Master's degree candidate in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University. This resour
Campus Climate Neutrality Toolkit
GreenCityBlueLake has completed a campus climate neutrality toolkit that lists ideas on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at higher education institutions. The toolkit was created for students, faculty, and staff that are looking for ways to infuse curriculum and campus with lessons of sustainability.
New Issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc has released the August issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record . This month's issue features an editorial by Nancy Cantor, chancellor of Syracuse University, articles on "Core Competencies for Sustainability Professionals" and "Sustainable Transportation Initiatives," and a profile of Butte College's sustainability efforts.
NWF Guide to Climate Action Planning
The National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Program has released a "Guide to Climate Action Planning." The guide addresses how colleges and universities can develop and implement plans to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions quickly and cost effectively.
AASHE Interview Series: Vice Chancellor, U Minnesota-Morris
In the third installment of the AASHE Interview Series, Lowell Rasmussen, the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Facilities at the University of Minnesota, Morris, discusses the many renewable energy projects that the University is undertaking and the partnerships it has built in the community.
List of Campus Climate Action Plans
AASHE has released a list of existing campus climate action plans and a list of publications useful for preparing a climate action plan. The list also contains information on schools that have formally adopted their plan and schools that have signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
Online Reporting Tool for Campus GHG Emissions
As part of its support for the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, AASHE has created an online tool for signatories to report on their GHG emissions. The new tool, which is integrated with the tool for submitting two-month reports, also includes new data about the tangible actions that signatories have committed to implement. Finally, the tool also includes a directory of ACUPCC Implementation Liaisons.
Compilation of Feedback on STARS 0.5
AASHE has released a document compiling all feedback received on version 0.5 of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS). The document includes feedback from over 50 individuals from across the campus sustainability community.
Whitepaper on Trayless Dining
ARAMARK has published a whitepaper entitled, "The Business and Cultural Acceptance Case for Trayless Dining." The paper lists reasons for considering, the cultural shift in accepting, and the business case for tray removal. The publication also provides best practices and gives case studies for the University of Maine at Farmington and Grand Valley State University (MI). In related news, the USA Today has published an article on how colleges and universities are going trayless. The article reports
Northwestern U Guide to Living Green
Northwestern University (IL) has posted "Sustainable You! A guide to green living at NU" online. The guide is intended to demonstrate how students can live sustainably on campus by reducing their personal impact on the environment and contributing to NU's sustainability efforts. The publication lists simple steps students, faculty, and staff can take to conserve energy and water, and provides information on NU's recycling system and alternative transportation options available on campus.
Presidents' Climate Commitment Annual Report
AASHE, ecoAmerica, and Second Nature, the three organizations that support the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment have released the 2007 ACUPCC Annual Report. In addition to a snapshot of all signatory reports received by December 31, 2007, the 2007 Annual Report includes a collection of brief stories from select ACUPCC institutions describing exciting climate and energy successes on their campuses related to ACUPCC implementation. In related news, AASHE, ecoAmerica, and Second Nature have also released an ACUPCC Reporting Snapshot that is current as of June 30, 2008.
Publication on the State College Role in Advancing Sustainability
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities has published "The State College Role in Advancing Environmental Sustainability: Policies, Programs and Practices." The paper discusses the need for partnerships between higher education and state policymakers in order to advance sustainability as a public policy priority.
University World News Special Report on Campus Sustainability
The University World News has published a special report examining sustainability efforts at higher education institutions across the world. The special report includes stories about the state of campus sustainability initiatives in the US, UK, New Zealand, Germany, South Africa, and Australia.
AASHE Interview Series: Sustainability Coord, Green Mtn College
AASHE has posted its second interview as part of its new interview series with sustainability leaders from campuses, businesses, and non-profit organizations that are taking the lead in advancing sustainability in higher education. In this interview, Jesse Pyles, the Service-Learning and Sustainability Coordinator at Green Mountain College (VT), discusses the various sustainability projects taking place at Green Mountain, offers some advice to others getting started in his position, shares how he incorporates the social dimensions of sustainability into his work, and more.
Aspen Institute Guide to Socially Responsible MBA Programs
The Aspen Institute's Center for Business Education has published its "Guide of Socially Responsible MBA Programs: 2008-2009." The guide includes profiles on 114 different MBA programs and offers resources on joint MBA degrees, MBA concentrations, and school profiles by region.
List of Dissertations and Theses on Campus Sustainability
AASHE has posted a collection of dissertations and theses specifically devoted to campus sustainability. The papers are divided into categories corresponding with AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS): Education and Research, Operations, and Administration and Finance. This resource is for AASHE members only.
New Issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers has released the June 2008 issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record . This issue features articles on schools with green MBA programs, the student push for fair-trade t-shirts in campus stores, and strategies for transforming the higher education curriculum.
AASHE Digest 2007 - Annual Review of Campus Sustainability
AASHE has released AASHE Digest 2007 , a publication that offers a comprehensive review of campus sustainability efforts from 2007. The 230-page report includes over 800 stories about higher education institutions leading the way to a sustainable future. It is organized into 24 chapters spanning education, research, campus operations, administration, and finance.
Sustainability in Business – Educational Video
Arnold Creek Productions, Inc. has released Naturally Successful: Entrepreneurship that redefines the bottom line , a new DVD that explores entrepreneurship from the perspective of the triple bottom line: businesses committed to economic, social, and environmental measures of success. Eleven top experts, consultants, and authors offer insights on building a values-driven business, providing meaningful leadership, achieving results beyond profits, serving customers, thinking long-term, seizing opportunities in new and existing markets, creating a thriving business and embracing a new type of capitalism. They cite numerous examples to explain why companies that are embracing green practices are experiencing outstanding growth, higher profits, lower risk and stronger brand recognition. A preview of the video is available online, and the full version can be purchased for around $30.
U Texas at Arlington GHG Report
The University of Texas at Arlington has released a draft report of its first carbon footprint analysis. The report has been prepared for the President’s Sustainability Committee by an interdisciplinary student/faculty team through a summer course in the School of Urban and Public Affairs. It characterizes the university’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2005, forecasts emissions in 2010 and 2020, then proposes a framework for setting reduction targets and develops reduction scenarios based on those targets. The report, produced in a very short time frame, is being issued in draft form so that members of the committee and other interested parties can participate in reviewing it. Comments are invited.
List of Publications on Sustainable Transportation for Campuses
AASHE has posted a collection of publications focused on sustainable transportation for college and university campuses. The resource provides guides, articles, reports, and books on the use of alternative transportation methods such as bicycles, campus fleet, car-sharing, carpooling, parking, and U-Pass systems.
New Blog for the Campus Sustainability Professional
Richard Johnson, the Director of Sustainability and the Associate Director for the Center for the Study of Environmental and Society at Rice University, has created a new blog entitled, "Greening the Campus: Inside the World of the Campus Sustainability Professional." Johnson's intention is to share insights and observations from the perspective of a campus sustainability professional and help to promote discussion and knowledge sharing within the professional community.
New Issue of The Journal of Ecopedagogy
The Ecopedagogy Association International has published its latest issue of Green Theory & Praxis: The Journal of Ecopedagogy. The scholarly journal presents research papers and essays on ecological politics and culture, ecocriticism, the critique of social structures, and sustainability education. The current issues includes such papers as, "Education for Sustainability: A Critical Contribution to the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development" and "Developing a Bioregional Pedagogy for Trans
University Reform in an Era of Global Warming
Chet A. Bowers has published a book entitled, "University Reform in an Era of Global Warming." The book examines why many professors continue to rely upon the conceptual frameworks learned in their own graduate studies even though these frameworks were established before there was an awareness of environmental limits. Bowers also discusses the need to educate students in how to live less consumer dependent lives and how to introduce students to understand and to participate in the local cultural commons.
2nd Issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. has published the second issue of the Sustainability: The Journal of Record. The April 2008 issue features papers on "Overcoming barriers to implementing sustainability programs in higher education" and "Using Interactive Value Analysis and Risk Analysis Process for Assessing the Economic Value of Sustainability Initiatives;" offers interviews from the Alcoa Director of Sustainability and Hunter Lovins; and gives a book review of "Of Planet and Profits – Selling Good Products
AASHE Posts ACUPCC Signatory Podcasts
AASHE has posted five podcasts recorded at the 2008 American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment Climate Leadership Summit. The podcasts feature conversations with President Thomashow of Unity College (ME), President Brennemen of Goshen College (IN), President Pfeiffer of Warren Wilson College (NC), President Johnson of the University of Minnesota, Morris, and Chancellor Spangler of Houston Community College (TX). Each Chancellor and Presidents discusses why s/he chose to sign the commitment, what it meant on their respective campuses, and more.
AASHE Interview Series: Director of Sustainability, Agnes Scott College
AASHE has posted its first interview as part of its new interview series with sustainability leaders from campuses, businesses, and non-profit organizations that are taking the lead in advancing sustainability in higher education. In the inaugural interview, Susan Kidd, the Director of Sustainability at Agnes Scott College (GA), discusses her institution's current sustainability initiatives, the successes she has had, the challenges she has faced, and more.
Higher Ed Env'l Roles & Responsibilities in a Climate of Change Report
The Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence has published a new higher education report titled "Environmental Roles and Responsibilities in a Climate of Change." The document spotlights the evolving environmental, health, and safety assignment on college and university campuses where homeland security directives, sustainability initiatives, and emerging health and safety issues demand increasing attention. The 16-page booklet illustrates both the challenges and opportunities with narrative, quotes,
UC/CSU Best Practice Case Studies
The University of California Office of the President recently posted online two-page case studies of the 2007 Best Practices Award recipients that document energy-efficiency and sustainability achievements. The Best Practice Awards program honors University of California and California State University campuses for implementing green building technologies, energy-efficient operations, and sustainable design strategies with outstanding results. Case studies showcasing the achievements and lessons learned for the 2007 award winners are now available online to assist other campuses in achieving their own green goals. Projects include UC Santa Cruz’s student-led effort to offset 100 percent of the campus’s electricity use with renewable energy credits, CSU Northridge’s one-megawatt fuel cell power plant, and more.
List of Campus Bus Pass Programs
AASHE has prepared a new resource that lists campus programs that provide students with fare-free or highly discounted access to public transportation. The resource is available only for AASHE members.
Whitepaper on Retro-commissioning Existing Buildings
Environmental Health and Engineering recently published "The First (Big) Step to Reducing Your Campus Carbon Footprint," a whitepaper that discusses the importance of energy retrofits, explains the difference between performance improvements and energy reduction, lists the indicators for necessary energy improvements, and more.
List of Campus Bicycle-Share Programs
AASHE has published a new resource on campus bike sharing programs. The resource provides links to over 50 bike sharing and renting programs. This resource is accessible only by AASHE members.
Special Issue of Academic Matters on Campus Sustainability
The April issue of the Journal of Higher Education Academic Matters features campus sustainability. Articles include "Environmentalism and the responsibility of academia," "Universities in a climate of change," "Environmental sustainability on one university campus," and more.
Survey of MBA Student Attitudes on the Business/Society Relationship
The Aspen Institute recently surveyed MBA students from 15 business schools about their attitudes towards the relationship between business and society. This is the third time in nine years that the Aspen Institute has completed the survey. This year's survey found that MBA students are becoming more interested in finding work that will contribute to society, are more concerned about creating value for the communities in which they operate, and are thinking more broadly about the primary responsibilities of a company.
Higher Education Goes Green Website
The American Council on Education has launched, "Higher Education Goes Green," a website that offers news and videos on green campus initiatives. The site also provides a list of campus sustainability websites.
List of Sustainability Faculty Development Workshops
AASHE has published a list of institutions that have held sustainability faculty development workshops and links to more information about each institution's workshop(s). For some institutions, such faculty development workshops are key strategy for advancing sustainability across the curriculum. This resource is only accessible to AASHE members.
New Issues of 'International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education'
Two new issues of the 'International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education' are now available. Issues 1 and 2 of Volume 9 include papers on: developing ecological footprint scenarios on university campuses; sustainability in higher education in Atlantic Canada; achieving transformative sustainability learning; designing low carbon higher education systems; professional development for education for sustainability; growing a campus native species garden; and more.
Student Eco-Literacy & Institution Support Survey for Campus Greening
Researchers at the College of William and Mary (VA) recently released a study entitled, "Campus Greening Efforts: What Difference Do They Make?" Researchers surveyed over 1,700 American college students on their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about climate change. The study compared universities that received either a high grade, A, or a low grade, D or F, on the levels of institutional commitment to environmental sustainability measures as determined by the Sustainable Endowments Institute Report
New APPA Books on Env. Sustainability & Green Practices
APPA, the association promoting leadership in educational facilities, recently published two books on environmental sustainability and green practices. "The Green Campus: Meeting the Challenge of Environmental Sustainability" is an anthology that explores the meaning of environmental sustainability, in global and local terms, while profiling exemplary campus environmental programs. The second edition of the "Environmental Compliance Assistance Guide for Colleges and Universities" updates the key environme
Sustainability 101 in Trusteeship Magazine
Trusteeship Magazine, a publication of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, recently published an article entitled, "Sustainability 101," by President David Shi of Furman University (SC). The article describes why higher education institutions should model sustainability and inspire students to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. It also highlights how Furman is working to achieve this goal.
Sustainability in Intl. Education: Recommendations for Education Abroad
The Task Force on Environmental Sustainability in Education Abroad of the Association of International Educators has released a report entitled, "Sustainability in International Education: Recommendations for Education Abroad Administrators and Faculty." The report addresses the questions of how education abroad programs can be both high quality and low impact and also contribute to greater environmental awareness.
Appropedia – Website for Solutions in Sustainability
Humboldt State University's (CA) Campus Center for Appropriate Technology recently partnered with Appropedia, a website for collaborative, free, open-source solutions in sustainability, to host the methods and lessons of the Center's sustainability projects. Appropedia uses the same format as Wikipedia to allow users to share and gain knowledge of appropriate technologies and sustainable living solutions. The site offers projects and information in water conservation, organic gardening, community organizing, and more.
