Learning Resources

Abstract: Many institutions struggle to promote liberal arts education in today's changing world. Hampshire College provides a model for how resource-limited campuses can leverage their sustainability assets to support curricular and community transformation. Hampshire is reinventing itself for a sustainable future, using its environmental assets (a campus farm and living building) to support a new transdisciplinary curriculum and student experience. This session will help you leverage environmental assets in applied transdisciplinary learning to prepare students for a sustainable future.

Abstract: The built environment directly affects human health and sustainability coordinators and campus planners are uniquely positioned to advocate for healthier buildings for their students, faculty, and staff. Smith College is a prime example of how a higher education institution can inspire market transformation. The Neilson Library renovation went above and beyond Smith College’s campus sustainability policy by implementing a sustainability charter, prioritizing health and wellness, and advocating for positive change. In this session, you will learn how material transparency and optimization can act as an avenue to address health and wellness in your institution's built environment.

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.