We posted an article on the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) last month, because OSU earned a gold rating in their Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).This was a huge achievement for OSU, because STARS is a comprehensive system that measures sustainability performance and we ranked at the second highest level out of five levels of sustainability. Read this primer on AASHE, borrowed from our previous article “OSU in the Sustainable Campus Index 2018!”
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is a coalition comprised of over 900 higher education institutions, businesses, and other organizations; it exists to support higher education faculty, administrators, staff and students as they “lead the global sustainability transformation.” AASHE aims to contribute to a more equitable and ecologically healthy world through the avenue of higher education. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is one of AASHE’s most impactful programs for empowering institutions of higher education to be global leaders of sustainability.
About the 2018 AASHE Conference
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) also holds the largest annual conference on sustainability in higher education and surrounding communities. This year, the AASHE conference is taking place in Pittsburgh from October 2nd to October 5th and is expected to draw over 2,000 participants! According to AASHE, campus representatives come from a diverse background and include:
- Senior campus administrators
- Campus planners, purchasers and other staff
- Facility, dining and transportation officers
- Administrators of system offices
- Campus faculty
- Sustainability officers
- Undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows
- Business managers and owners
- Consultants
- Environmental and energy-related government agencies
- Business sustainability directors and managers
- Construction project managers, builders, contractors, architects and designers
AASHE exhibitors are businesses, higher education institutions, and non-profits who aim to demonstrate to decision makers and institutions how their services can contribute to a sustainable future. According to AASHE, previous exhibitors were from the following sectors:
- Air & Climate
- Buildings
- Campus Engagement
- Coordination, Planning & Governance
- Curriculum
- Dining Services
- Diversity & Affordability
- Energy
- Grounds
- Health, Wellbeing & Work
- Investment
- Public Engagement
- Purchasing
- Research
- Transportation
- Waste
- Water
The theme of this year’s conference is “Global Goals: Rising to the Challenge.” The purpose of this theme is to work towards fulfilling higher education’s role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to AASHE, the conference goals are as follows:
- Attend a high-quality, participatory and interactive event delivered in a professional manner.
- Be inspired, motivated, energized and empowered to advance sustainability in higher education and beyond.
- Learn how to build or strengthen alliances and coalitions with diverse stakeholders.
- Develop skills to integrate diversity, inclusion and social justice goals into the core culture of their institution, organization or community.
- Gain lessons, ideas and tools to bring back to their institution, organization or community.
- Learn from and network with a diverse audience of faculty, administrators, students, sustainability professionals, non-profit leaders and business partners.
What will the Conference Entail?
The 2018 AASHE conference will include workshops, tours, networking opportunities, keynote speakers, a poster session, a student summit, a film festival, and more!
Keynote Speakers
Click here for more information on keynote speakers.
Akpezi Ogbuigwe, Opening Keynote
Dr. Paul Shrivastava, Closing Keynote
Garrett Blad, Student Summit Keynote
Registration
The online registration deadline is September 17th (this Monday), so REGISTER NOW!
Additional Information
- When: October 2-5
- Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 - Program
CATEGORIES: Academics Campus Sustainability Climate Action Plan Community Sustainability conference Events and Outreach