Associations
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
The
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
(http://www.aashe.org/about/programs.php) is an association of United
States and Canadian colleges and universities working to create a
sustainable future. The organization was formed in 2006 with a mission
of promoting sustainability in all sectors of higher education. The
organization encompasses all aspects of an institution, from governance
and operations to curriculum and outreach - through education,
communication, research, and professional development. AASHE membership
includes hundreds of colleges and university in the US and Canada, as
well as over a hundred businesses, NGO's, and government agencies
participating as partner members.
The
organization also offers several services and opportunities for members
including a Biennial North American conference, professional
development workshops and training, weekly e-bulletins with top campus
sustainability news stories, a resource center with specialized online
resources and directories, interest groups and topical discussion
lists, and partnership projects with other associations and
organizations. The organization's activities are designed to:
AASHE also sponsors and participates in several programs and projects of interest to colleges and universities including the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), the STARS classification system for measuring and tracking institutional progress, Net Impact collaboration, and partnerships with Energy Action and other active groups and organizations.
SPPC Recommendation:
After thorough research and consideration, the Strategic Planning Proposal Committee would like to express extensive support and advocacy for a university membership in AASHE. Not only would the organization be able to provide resources, support and guidance for our goals of adopting a strategic plan for sustainability, but additional programs such as ACUPCC could gain publicity and acknowledgement for Seton Hall and its efforts in the area.
New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS)
The New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS) (http://www.njheps.org/) is an association of over forty diverse higher education institutions in New Jersey. The NJHEPS mission is "to transform the higher education community to consistently practice sustainability and to more effectively contribute to the world's emerging understanding of sustainability through teaching, research, outreach, operations and community life."
The association sponsors seminars and conferences to share best practice and to promote sustainability in campus operations. NJHEPS operates under the leadership of the New Jersey Presidents' Council, which encompasses the presidents of all higher education institutions in the state of New Jersey. The partnership is funded through membership dues, grants, corporate sponsorships and contract work.
SPPC Recommendation:
Seton Hall University should maintain its membership in NJHEPS. In addition, the Strategic Planning Proposal Committee believes we could improve upon our goals and activity within the program to better utilize the resources it has to offer. Current NJHEPS goals, which Seton Hall could work towards, includes advancing sustainability through the creation of intercommunity and intercollegiate dialogue as well as promoting a knowledge of sustainability issues by using the partnerships and constituencies NJHEPS makes available. The sum of these actions would lead to a situation wherein Seton Hall is building a stronger environmental conscience, transforming attitudes, linking with other local and regional stakeholders, as well as providing a large wealth of resources both on and off campus.
- Make sustainable practice mainstream with higher education
- Facilitate member efforts to integrate sustainability into teaching, research and operations
- Disseminate knowledge and best practices and promote resource sharing
- Support all sectors of campus in shaping sustainability initiatives
- Increase collaboration among individuals, institutions, and external partners to speed the adoption of sustainability practices
- Influence local, state, and national education policy so that sustainability is a focus
AASHE also sponsors and participates in several programs and projects of interest to colleges and universities including the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), the STARS classification system for measuring and tracking institutional progress, Net Impact collaboration, and partnerships with Energy Action and other active groups and organizations.
SPPC Recommendation:
After thorough research and consideration, the Strategic Planning Proposal Committee would like to express extensive support and advocacy for a university membership in AASHE. Not only would the organization be able to provide resources, support and guidance for our goals of adopting a strategic plan for sustainability, but additional programs such as ACUPCC could gain publicity and acknowledgement for Seton Hall and its efforts in the area.
New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS)
The New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS) (http://www.njheps.org/) is an association of over forty diverse higher education institutions in New Jersey. The NJHEPS mission is "to transform the higher education community to consistently practice sustainability and to more effectively contribute to the world's emerging understanding of sustainability through teaching, research, outreach, operations and community life."
The association sponsors seminars and conferences to share best practice and to promote sustainability in campus operations. NJHEPS operates under the leadership of the New Jersey Presidents' Council, which encompasses the presidents of all higher education institutions in the state of New Jersey. The partnership is funded through membership dues, grants, corporate sponsorships and contract work.
SPPC Recommendation:
Seton Hall University should maintain its membership in NJHEPS. In addition, the Strategic Planning Proposal Committee believes we could improve upon our goals and activity within the program to better utilize the resources it has to offer. Current NJHEPS goals, which Seton Hall could work towards, includes advancing sustainability through the creation of intercommunity and intercollegiate dialogue as well as promoting a knowledge of sustainability issues by using the partnerships and constituencies NJHEPS makes available. The sum of these actions would lead to a situation wherein Seton Hall is building a stronger environmental conscience, transforming attitudes, linking with other local and regional stakeholders, as well as providing a large wealth of resources both on and off campus.
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