Full Description
Colleges and universities are at the forefront of efforts to preserve the earth's resources for future generations. Carbon neutrality, renewable energy sources, green building strategies, and related initiatives require informed and courageous leaders at all levels of higher education. James Martin and James E. Samels have worked closely with college and university presidents, provosts, and trustees to devise best practices that establish sustainable policies and programs in the major areas of institutional operations. While almost seven hundred chief executive officers have signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, several thousand have yet to do so. This book identifies four of the most formidable challenges facing these presidents and leadership teams along with solutions to address them: effectively institutionalizing sustainability thinking; developing an efficient, flexible system of sustainability benchmarks; implementing an accountable university budget model; and engaging boards of trustees in the campus sustainability agenda.
The volume's contributors, including recognized authorities on sustainability as well as campus executives with broad-ranging experience, consider these challenges and discuss specific action plans, best practices, and emerging trends in sustainability efforts. They offer sustainability solutions for almost every major operational area of campus and consider what sustainability means for colleges and universities-and the legacy of those entrusted with shaping their future. The meaning of sustainability is evolving, and it differs from one campus to the next. This timely and comprehensive volume guides institutional leaders past the myths and misconceptions to the sustainable university.
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Part I: Updating the National Conversation on Sustainability: Key Trends and Challenges
Chapter 1. The Sustainable University: A Need to Move Forward
Chapter 2. Promises Made and Promises Lost: A Candid Assessment of Higher Education Leadership and the Sustainability Agenda
Chapter 3. Trends, Skills, and Strategies to Catalyze Sustainability Across Institutions
Chapter 4. Measuring Campus Sustainability Performance: Implementing The First Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS)
Chapter 5. Institutionalizing Sustainability: Achieving Transformations From the Inside
Chapter 6. Sustainability: Shifting Definitions and Evolving Meanings
Chapter 7. Sustainable Citizenship: The Challenge for Students and Their Institutions
Part II: Sustainability and the Leadership Team: New Assignments
Chapter 8. Sustainability and the Presidency: Five Starting Points
Chapter 9. Not So Fast: A Dose of Reality about Sustainability
Chapter 10. The Importance of Sustainability in the Community College Setting
Chapter 11. Sustainability, Leadership, and the Role of the Chief Academic Officer
Part III: Fresh Agendas for Campus Operations
Chapter 12. Greening the Endowment
Chapter 13. Sustainability and Higher Education Architecture: Best Practices for Institutional Leaders
Chapter 14. Sustainable Campus Housing: Building a Better P
Chapter 15. Food for Thought: Building Sustainable Food Systems and Healthy Communities
Chapter 16. University Athletics and Sustainability: Start on the Field
Part IV: Beyond the Green Gates: Sustainability and the Institution's External Partners
Chapter 17. The Impact of Sustainability on Institutional Quality Assurance and Accreditation
Chapter 18. Green Legal: Creating a Culture of Vigilance, Compliance, and Sustainability Thinking
Part V: The Complex Path Ahead
Chapter 19. Conclusion: New Goals and New Challenges for Institutional Leaders
Notes
Selected Bibliography
List of Contributors
Index
