Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.17
Liaison Megan Litke
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

American University
EN-10: Community Partnerships

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Megan Litke
Sustainability Manager
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability :
Washington Area Bicyclist Association

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? :
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe?:
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus?:
The partnership simultaneously supports social equity and wellbeing, economic prosperity, and ecological health

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (Yes, No, or Not Sure):
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above:

AU has partnered with WABA on an ongoing basis to bring bicycle education to faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, WABA has led community bike rides for the university and local community members. AU also participates in partnership with them on Bike to Work month related activities. AU provides the funds and materials for the community bike rides and information sessions.


Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
Casey Trees

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (2nd partnership):
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (2nd partnership):
Short-term project or event

Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (2nd partnership):
The partnership simultaneously supports social equity and wellbeing, economic prosperity, and ecological health

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (2nd partnership) (Yes, No, or Not Sure):
Not Sure

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above (2nd partnership):

AU provided Casey Trees with a training location and Casey Trees supported the planting of trees on newly developed campus property.

AU and Casey Trees also hosted a Tree Tour: American University Arboretum together. This event was open to the general public for anyone interested in learning about the arboretum at American University and some of the beautiful tree species found on the property. More information about the event can be found here:https://www.facebook.com/events/1759942040942057

AU also supplied AU student volunteers to support some of their projects. AU has also helped facilitate tree planting projects for some AU neighbor communities using Casey Trees. AU also hosted their tree planting workshop which is where we provided the classroom space and the planting location.


Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
WMATA UPASS Program

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (3rd partnership):
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (3rd partnership):
The partnership simultaneously supports social equity and wellbeing, economic prosperity, and ecological health

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (3rd partnership) (Yes, No, or Unknown):
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above (3rd partnership):

In March 2016, AU became the first area university to work with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to provide students with the benefit for a flat fee. The U·Pass program, which was adopted by an overwhelming student vote in fall 2016, provides unlimited rides throughout the semester on Metrorail and Metrobus (including express and airport shuttle buses) for trips to school, work, internships, cultural events, and entertainment. The program extends to all full-time undergraduate, graduate, and law students.

The goal of the program and partnership with WMATA is to encourage students to use public transportation, allow for increased class field trips around DC, and save student's money.

https://www.american.edu/finance/transportation/UPass.cfm


A brief description of the institution’s other community partnerships to advance sustainability:

AU partners with all the other district universities and the District's Dept of Energy and the Environment to move district sustainability goals forward in a cohesive manner.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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