Sustainability on Campus: Leadership and Change

To coincide with the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, AAC&U is entering a partnership with the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF). The mission of ULSF is to make sustainability a major focus of teaching, research, operations, and outreach at colleges and universities worldwide. Together, AAC&U and ULSF will act as a catalyst and incubator for new ideas, campus-based innovations, research, and collaborations.

Thursday, January 27, 2:45-4:00 pm
Sustainability and Democratic Responsibility
Sustainability involves the intersection of several domains—social, economic, and environmental—and exists not as a problem to be solved once and for all, but as a process in which we must engage now and into the future. It is thus the responsibility of all educated citizens, not just those in certain areas or disciplines. Presenters will raise critical questions about the role liberal education can play in moving us to a more sustainable future and will provide examples of how issues of sustainability can inform and enrich the curriculum as a means of ensuring that colleges and universities “create a New Academy in its fullest expression of inclusion, excellence, and democratic responsibility.”
David Orr, Professor of Environmental Studies, Oberlin College; Leith Sharp, Director, Harvard Green Campus Initiative, Harvard University; Geoffrey Chase, Dean, Undergraduate Studies, San Diego State University

Friday, January 28, 1:30-2:30 pm
Liberal Education and Sustainability: Next Steps
Participants are invited to help shape the AAC&U/ULSF partnership. What kinds of help do campuses need in identifying opportunities and resources? What mechanisms exist to promote existing leadership schools? What are the implications of making questions of sustainability central to a liberal education for the 21st century? How can we most productively link the global education agenda with the sustainable development agenda?
Debra Rowe, Senior Fellow, University Leaders for Sustainable Future, Oakland Community College; Caryn McTighe Musil, Senior Vice President, AAC&U; Kevin Hovland, Program Director, Global Initiatives, AAC&U; Wynn Calder, Associate Director, Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future

Friday, January 28, 10:30-11:45 am
Educating for Sustainability: Ithaca College and EcoVillage at Ithaca
This session will explore a highly innovative approach to educating undergraduates for global sustainability, a collaboration between Ithaca College and EcoVillage of Ithaca funded since 2001 by the National Science Foundation. The goals of “Applying Science to Sustainability,” which partners college faculty and EcoVillage professionals and educators, are to advance undergraduate learning in sustainability and to encourage students to become involved in science-based community ecological projects, using EcoVillage at Ithaca as a living laboratory.
Peter Bardaglio, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Ithaca College; Susan Allen-Gil, Associate Professor of Biology, Ithaca College; Liz Walker, Director, EcoVillage of Ithaca

Roundtable Discussion: Saturday, January 29, 7:30-9:00 am
Is the New Academy Addressing Environmental Literacy and Sustainability?
What is the New Academy doing about sustainability and environmental literacy on your campus? Learn about the comprehensive, innovative practices that Nicolet College has incorporated since a sustainability initiative was added to the college’s strategic plan: assessment of environmental literacy and ecological footprint; institutional practices and procedures; student internships and projects; renewable energy demonstration site; lake water quality research; ECO HOME; and community organic garden. Come wondering. Leave inspired.
Karen Isebrands Brown, Dean/Leader of Sustainability Initiative, Nicolet College
Debra Rowe, Senior Fellow, University Leaders for Sustainable Future

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If you have questions, please e-mail us at meetings@aacu.org.