| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.25 |
| Liaison | Audrey McSain |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Lehigh University
EN-11: Inter-Campus Collaboration
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Katharine
Targett Gross Sustainability Officer Office of Sustainability |
Is the institution an active member of a national or international sustainability network?:
The name of the national or international sustainability network(s):
Lehigh is an active member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Is the institution an active member of a regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network?:
The name of the regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s):
Lehigh is an active member of the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC).
Has the institution presented at a sustainability conference during the previous year? :
A list or brief description of the conference(s) and presentation(s):
We presented at the AASHE Conference 2018.
Building a Consistent Sustainability Brand
In order to reap the full benefits of consistently communicating the values and messages that are core to your sustainability brand, it is important to design brand guidelines the define the look of your communications and materials. Brand guidelines are a powerful tool that create a consistent look and feel so communications and design projects are easily recognized by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and visitors, and communicate the key sustainability values of the university. Through brand guidelines, your campus community will come to know and recognize the sustainability brand through the consistent presentation and expression of the brand in all communications and marketing.
But how do you get started? What is the path to developing brand guidelines? Who needs to be involved? In this session, we will discuss Lehigh University’s path to developing a branding guide, how you can choose branding elements that harmonize with your school’s visual identity elements, and how you can apply the concepts in physical materials. Discussion will include topics such as: core brand objectives, logo (simple and full versions), color palette (primary and extended), typeface standards, image usage guidelines, and identity elements - do’s and don’ts. The utilization of a cohesive sustainability image and brand is very important.
Expanding the Sustainable Office Program: Encouraging More Faculty and Staff to Walk the Talk
Is your Sustainable Office Program working, but not reaching its full potential? Over the last year, Lehigh University has successfully revamped its Sustainable Office Program to expand the program and further increase activity on campus. This is a voluntary, self-guided program where faculty and staff can take the lead in a variety of topic areas to promote sustainable practices in the workplace. Through redesigning and improving outreach tactics, we have seen an increase in interest, participation, and engagement from offices throughout campus. In fact, the program has expanded by over 232 percent!
But how did we do it? What was the path to designing a successful revamp and expansion of the program? In this session, we will discuss Lehigh University’s two-phase plan and the progress that has been made so far. We will also discuss key lessons learned, best practices, and challenges. Through efforts like this, institutions can continue to increase overall campus engagement, build community, and enhance the culture of sustainability on their campus.
Implementing a Sustainable Living Program on Campus: Encouraging Students to Walk the Talk
The Lehigh University Eco-Rep Leadership Program has successfully designed and implemented a Sustainable Living Program where Eco-Reps work with their peers in residential halls and Greek houses to make their living spaces more sustainable. This is a voluntary, self-guided certification process that includes specific questions that address day-to-day living habits in various categories including energy, water, purchasing, recycling, food/dining, and involvement. By taking action in a variety of topic areas, students take the lead to reduce their environmental impact, are responsible stewards of the university’s resources, and contribute to Lehigh’s sustainability goals and commitments.
But how do you get started with a certification program like this? What is the path to designing a successful program? In this session, we will discuss Lehigh University’s path to developing a Sustainable Living Program from determining program coordination, the application process, the checklist of actions, the different certification levels and incentives, and program logistics. We will also discuss key lessons learned, best practices, and next steps for expanding the program. Through efforts like this, institutions can increase overall campus engagement, build community, and enhance the culture of sustainability on their campus.
Has the institution submitted a case study during the previous year to a sustainability awards program that is inclusive of multiple campuses? :
A list or brief description of the awards program(s) and submission(s):
Has the institution had staff, students or faculty serving on a board or committee of a sustainability network or conference during the previous three years? :
A list or brief description of the board or committee appointment(s):
Members of the Office of Sustainability at Lehigh serve on the conference planning committee for the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges biennial Campus Sustainability Conference.
Lehigh has also hosted this conference twice over the last several years.
Does the institution have an ongoing mentoring relationship with another institution through which it assists the institution with its sustainability reporting and/or the development of its sustainability program?:
A brief description of the mentoring relationship and activities:
Has the institution had staff, faculty, or students serving as peer reviewers of another institution’s sustainability data (e.g. GHG emissions or course inventory) and/or STARS submission during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the peer review activities:
Has the institution participated in other collaborative efforts around sustainability during the previous year, e.g. joint planning or resource sharing with other institutions? :
A brief description of other collaborative efforts around sustainability during the previous year:
Lehigh University is a member of the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC). Our activities, focused on our strategic priorities of professional excellence, programmatic sharing and synergy, and operating efficiencies, provide expanded and enhanced opportunities for faculty, staff, and students and free resources to support campus-specific programs.
Among the many LVAIC activities, Lehigh University has also hosted the "LVAIC Campus Sustainability Conference 2018". The purpose of the conference was to explore sustainability projects, cultivate dialogue and shared learning and encourage concrete action promoting responsible stewardship of the natural environment and equitable community in the areas where we live and work.
For more information: https://www.lvaic.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2017-2018-Annual-Report.pdf
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.