Learning Resources

Abstract: Colleges and universities need to identify the “core” which defines them as an institution. They need to find and declare their niche within state systems, and then build a budget around that core, that niche. Across the nation, public institutions are wrestling with declining state budget resources and increased demand for services. Traditional budgetary approaches could result in wholesale across-the-board reductions or program eliminations. What is needed is recognition of the situation, acceptance that these down cycles occur and re-occur, and a new approach to funding requests. If funding is not available for all programs, fund and preserve the core.

Abstract: The State of California has initiated a number of policies and programs to integrate sustainable building practices into the state’s capital outlay process. Many of these efforts involve new levels of teamwork between diverse state programs and departments. The state’s higher education systems have begun to show a strong level of commitment to sustainable building and have implemented a number of sustainable building measures within their organizations. This article (1) outlines the activities and recommendations of the task force, (2) discusses sustainable building activities in California’s higher education systems, and (3) highlights key issues that California is grappling with in its implementation of sustainable building practices.

Abstract: A growing cadre of progressive K–12 educators believes that sustainability education has a central role in developing in students a sense of responsibility for the future. Leaders within the movement to educate for sustainability see an opportunity in the convergence of the large-scale systemic reform efforts sweeping our nation and the vision and goals of the emerging field of sustainability education. Transformations are appearing in classrooms that have adopted sustainability education as a context for systemic reform efforts, and the results of this are bound to affect the shape of higher education in years to come.

Abstract: Can organizations that purport to advance learning themselves learn relative to the global ecological trends? We take great pride in equipping our students to do well-paying work in an unsustainable economy—the rough equivalent of preparing them for duty on the Titanic. There is, however, a general acknowledgment of the larger global environmental trends but without as yet much effort to adjust institutional behavior accordingly. Although there is no single formula, organizational learning requires mastery at seven levels. This article discusses those seven levels.

Abstract: This article examines environmental assessments as a decision-making tool, distinguishing broad-based, targeted, and goal-oriented efforts as the three types most commonly practiced on campuses. The authors discuss benefits and problems associated with these approaches and conclude that the goal-oriented approach is most likely to be successful. They make a case for action to reduce institutional impacts on climate change as a compelling and goal-oriented direction for comprehensive planning, implementation, and evaluation of campus stewardship efforts. Tufts University’s commitment to emission reductions in the Kyoto Protocol is discussed, and impacts on curriculum, operations, and university decision making are explored.

Abstract: This list of print and electronic resources is designed to act as a springboard to assist practitioners in finding information to start implementing sustainability efforts on their campuses.

Abstract: Campus energy consumption causes the largest environmental impacts. College and university planners, architects, and facilities managers are uniquely positioned to play a critical role promoting campus environmental responsibility by addressing the need for campus energy sustainability. Both demand- and supply-side strategies are required. On the demand side, an aggressive campus energy conservation program can reduce campus energy consumption by 30 percent or more. Addressing the supply side of the energy equation means shifting to clean, renewable, non-carbon-based energy resources and technologies. Developing campus energy policies, coping with the computer explosion, avoiding the pitfalls of electric deregulation, buying green power, and implementing green building design are all parts of the solution.

Abstract: Green buildings offer many compelling advantages over their conventional counterparts—increased educational performance, lower energy costs, and lower environmental impact, to name a few—so green buildings should be easier to develop. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Several strategies are important to avoid a protracted process. Develop a set of clear environmental performance goals (buildings as pedagogical tools, climate-neutral operations, maximized human performance), use Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) as a gauge of performance, and use the project to reform the campus building process. All of these steps need to involve a range of participants—students, faculty, administration, and facilities staff—to achieve the best results.

Abstract: Drawing on recent survey data from the National Wildlife Federation and other publications, this article explains what an environmental management system is and identifies its components; examines how environmental management systems have been applied and adapted to higher education settings; reports on trends in implementation; and illustrates how the environmental management system can help in planning green campuses. It addresses such issues as environmental policy, training, compliance, performance evaluation, staffing, and assessment within the higher education context.