Association for the Advancement of

Sustainability in Higher Education

Advancing Campus Sustainability

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education2

What is AASHE?The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), is a non-profit organization made up of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Founded in 2006, AASHE has over 850 institutional members, which include colleges and universities, businesses and non-profits committed to campus sustainability.

AASHE is dedicated to engaging a diverse and inspired community, by providing timely and invaluable resources for campuses to meet their sustainability needs.

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education3

What is AASHE’s Mission?

AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. We do this by providing resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research.

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What is AASHE’s Vision?

AASHE envisions a prosperous, equitable, and ecologically healthy

world.

Higher education plays a vital role in ensuring that people have an understanding of the

interdependencies between environmental, social and economic forces and the skills and

abilities to meet sustainability challenges.

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How does AASHE define sustainability?

AASHE defines sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations.

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AASHE’S Structure

Non-profit organization - 501(c)(3)

Board of Directors – 14-17 members including business leaders, academics, administrators and students

Staff – Staff working in many states across the country, with central office and executive director in Denver.

Members - nearly 900 colleges and universities are members (members are non-voting)

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Member Testimonials

AASHE is a great sustainability resource.-Don Supalla, President, Rochester Community and Technical College

I have found AASHE to be THE most value-added professional organization that I have ever been associated with and appreciate the opportunity to be even more involved.

-Andrea George PhD, CHMM, Director, Sustainability and Environmental Management Office, Vanderbilt University

AASHE has successfully bridged the gap between design and facilities management in higher education and the academic side of the institutions. No other organization puts architects, planners, facility managers, student, professors and university administration at the same table, and does so successfully to stimulate ideas and actions to bring a global sustainability perspective to higher education. Hats off to AASHE!

-Jerry Yudelson, Yudelson Associate Technical College

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AASHE Member Benefits•Access to invaluable resources

•Networking and information sharing

•Discounts on AASHE-sponsored events, including the conference

•STARS program discount

•Sustainable product and service discounts

•Discounts on sustainable products

•Eligibility for professional awards and recognition

•Publicity for your campus's efforts

•Professional development opportunities

•Governance opportunities

•AASHE hosted conference calls

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Professional Development and Networking

AASHE offers premier opportunities to network with colleagues at regional, national, and international levels. Other professional development activities throughout the year available include workshops, webinars, and discussion forums for sharing knowledge and resources.

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AASHE Conference and ExpoAASHE’s Conference and Expo is the largest campus

sustainability gathering in North America. With registrants from colleges and universities across the world, the conference features presentations on all aspects of campus sustainability and keynote addresses from experts in sustainability, touching on economic, social, as well as environmental issues. It is a great way to expand your professional development.

The Expo, which takes place in conjunction with the AASHE Conference, features exhibits showcasing products, technologies, and services that can help your campus become more sustainable and save money through resource efficiency. There are also a variety of preconference events for professors, students, and campus sustainability officers.

AASHE 2012 will be held in Los Angeles, CA. AASHE 2013 will be held in Nashville, TN.

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The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)

STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS® was developed by AASHE with broad participation from the higher education community.

STARS provides a framework for understanding sustainability in all sectors of higher education. It enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.

It helps create incentives for continual improvement toward sustainability byfacilitating information sharing about highereducation sustainability practices andperformance.

AASHE is committed to building a stronger,more diverse campus sustainability communityand STARS is an important part of that.

Any college or university located in the UnitedStates or Canada may participate in STARS.

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Invaluable ResourcesHundreds of campus sustainability initiatives and case studies

Discussion forums on 18 different topicsDatabase of sustainability plans and policies on campusBest practices in operations; planning, administration & public engagement; and education & research

Example resources:

• Campus solar PV installations database• Database of academic degree programs related to sustainability• Student peer-to-peer sustainability education programs• Directory of campus sustainability officers and sample  job

descriptions• Green revolving loan funds • Campus-supported agriculture, farms and gardens• Campus climate action planning wiki• Many more...

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PublicationsAASHE offers a wide range of publications that provide administrators, faculty, staff, and students with the information and guidance they need to lead the sustainability transformation.

• AASHE Bulletin – weekly e-newsletter with sustainability news, events, jobs and resources. Bulletin archives are located in Resource Center.

• Higher Education Sustainability Review – annual review of campus sustainability based on Bulletin items.

• AASHE Announcements, STARS Update, and AASHE Events (e-newsletters) – monthly updates on AASHE and STARS news and professional development opportunities

• Campus Sustainability Perspectives blog - news and views from AASHE staff and guest bloggers.

• Events Calendar - campus sustainability happenings

• How-to Guides and Reports – EXPAND here

• Climate Action Planning Wiki

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Partnerships

American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)

Bioneers Education for Action Program

Campaign for Environmental Literacy (CEL)

Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability (DANS)

Energy Action Coalition (EAC)

Higher Education Associations' Sustainability Consortium (HEASC)

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development (USPESD)

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Get Involved in the AASHE Community

•Join AASHE, membership extends to everyone on campus•Sign up to receive the AASHE bulletin •Create a log-in for the AASHE site•Become a STARS participant•Attend sustainability conferences, webinars, workshops •Promote sustainability across campus•Use AASHE’s invaluable resources to implement sustainability initiatives on campus•Celebrate success! •Questions? Email membership@aashe.org or call 303-395-1331 extension 4

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