DEFINITIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY AT STARS- RATED SCHOOLS

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1 DEFINITIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY AT STARS- RATED SCHOOLS Arizona State University Rating: Gold Points: Sustainability courses introduce students to the concept of sustainability in the context of realworld problems, exploring the interaction of environmental, economic and social systems. In addition, sustainability courses are designed to build and deepen students' understanding of the following key concepts: a) Systems Dynamics: Human systems and natural systems are linked. Changes in any part of any system have multiple consequences that reach far beyond the initial change. b) Tradeoffs: Addressing almost all problems related to sustainability involves tradeoffs. There are rarely perfect solutions with no costs, and there are often winners and losers. c) Cascading Effects and Unintended Consequences: There are cascading effects (positive and negative, intended and unintended) of human policies, decisions, and actions, all of which have implications for sustainability. d) Scale: Problems of sustainability exist at multiple scales. Solving a problem at a local level is very different than solving a problem across international boundaries. e) Transdisciplinarity: There is no one "solution" to address sustainability - no one person has the answer. Effective solutions require the collaboration of scientists and social scientists of all disciplines, politicians, entrepreneurs, artists, farmers, and business and community leaders. Colorado State University Rating: Gold Points: "Students who participate in the [sustainability] curriculum will be able to determine solutions to problems that have developed from human interactions with the environment. Global environmental sustainability explores the interconnections of: 1) the environment (biological and physical processes); 2) the global economy (prosperity and well-being); 3) society (human processes and fairness); and 4) ways of knowing, creating and communicating. 'Global' refers to the impact of sustainable action on the global economy, human societies around the world, and the planet as a whole. Interdisciplinary implies that at least 30% of the course will address interconnections among elements of sustainability."

2 Emory University Rating: Gold Points: Sustainability-focused courses concentrate on the concept of sustainability, including its social, economic, and environmental dimensions, or examine an issue or topic using sustainability as a lens. Sustainability-related courses incorporate sustainability as a course component or module, or address a single sustainability principle or issue, such as economic development, social justice, public health, energy, water, sustainable building or design, environmental health, land use, environmental policy, biodiversity, socio-economic diversity, human rights, etc. Georgia Tech Rating: Gold Points: Georgia Tech s definition of sustainable research spans many subject areas of Service and Progress: 1. Improving the Human Condition, Social and Individual Transformation, Education, Outreach, Lifelong Learning 2. Energy, Materials, Water, and Environment 3. Health, Food, Nutrition, Nanomedicine, Medical Engineering 4. Innovative Technologies, Complex Systems, Sustainable Systems, Systems Thinking 5. Technology Transfer, Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Economics, Business 6. Global Technologies, Collaboration, Policies 7. Partnerships between Private/Public, Profit/Non-Profit, Government/Non-Government Organizations 8. Logistics, Sustainable Manufacturing and Design UCLA Rating: Silver Points: The Academic Subcommittee of the UCLA Sustainability Committee (whose membership includes faculty from more than six departments, other academic personnel, students and staff) established a thorough definition of courses based on the STARS guidelines as follows: Sustainability-focused courses concentrate on the concept of sustainability, including its social, economic, and environmental dimensions, or examine an issue or topic using sustainability as a lens. Courses should explicitly address one or more of the principles of sustainability. Sustainability-related courses incorporate sustainability as a distinct course component or module or concentrate on a single sustainability principle or issue. These courses are based in

3 sustainability theory and practice, either in an interdisciplinary manner or in the context of a single discipline. University of Colorado, Boulder Rating: Gold Points: The University of Colorado at Boulder has committed to expanding upon its path marking sustainability achievements at the administrative, operational, student action, and academic levels. Our approach to sustainability-enhanced curricula is based on the following fundamental premises: Universities are the cultivators and generators of knowledge, charged with educating the leaders and decision-makers of tomorrow. As such, they play a crucial role in the creation of sustainable societies. Education is an essential tool for achieving sustainability: public awareness and training are vital in moving students and, by extension, society toward sustainability. Where practicable, sustainability should be integrated into university curricula, as appropriate. Each university has its own unique context, resources, and needs that influence its response to sustainability s prominence in its curriculum. Courses designated as sustainability-related or sustainability-focused may contain one or more of the following elements: Integration of basic and applied knowledge from multiple disciplines, including the natural and social sciences, to analyze human-environment interactions; Analysis of the tradeoffs or co-benefits involved in managing resources for the social, economic, and environmental welfare of current and future generations; Development of alternative strategies for the use of natural, human, and fiscal resources that are compatible with the constraints on these resources; Implementation of practical solutions to socioeconomic and environmental challenges, including those that relate to energy, technology, ecosystems, social transformations, food systems, policy, and governance. Students that successfully complete sustainability-related or sustainability-focused courses develop the ability to: Use and integrate knowledge and skills drawn from several disciplines; Understand how sustainability applies to their major, chosen career path, and everyday life; Apply scientific expertise to create sustainable solutions, technology, and applications; Communicate sustainability s essential elements; Promote sustainable communities on and beyond the University's campus. Due to the shifting nature of sustainability issues, those linked to sustainability should be prepared to adapt continually. Thus, a curriculum that integrates sustainability also demands periodic reassessment.

4 University of Florida Rating: Silver Points: Sustainability can be defined as meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs." Sustainability is a framework which includes social, environmental, and economic factors in decision making. Social: Contributing to long-term maintenance of well being, social equity, and diversity. Environmental: Maintaining biological systems diversity and productivity over time; supporting the well being of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources. Economic: Considering the full life cycle cost, externalities and financial stability of personal enterprise and the larger economic system. Sustainability-focused courses concentrate on sustainability, including its social, economic and environmental dimensions, or examine an issue or topic using sustainability as a lens. The courses provide valuable grounding in the concepts and principles of sustainability. Sustainability-related courses include sustainability as a course component or module, or concentrate on a specific sustainability principle of issue. The courses help build knowledge about a component of sustainability or introduce students to sustainability concepts during part of the course. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Rating: Silver Points: Sustainability is an interdisciplinary field focusing on the dynamic relationship between the environment, economy, and society. Sustainable systems preserve and advance social equity, economic prosperity, and the healthy functioning of ecological systems now and in the future. University of Texas at Austin Rating: Silver Points: Does this course purposefully: Aim to better understand and lessen the negative impact of human activity on earth? Teach or research methods of reducing our ecological footprint? Work toward the continued health and well-being of the planet and future generations? Teach or research on increasing social equity, environmental justice, or responsible global citizenship? Focus on improving the quality of all life on earth?

5 Virginia Tech Rating: Silver Points: Virginia Tech defines sustainability in the curriculum generally as sustaining natural and human systems and their related economic, social, and environmental dimensions, consequences, and opportunities. This definition was created by the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability Programs, Subcommittee on Survey of Colleges. The ad hoc committee included students, faculty, a dean, and other administrators. Virginia Tech defines sustainability-focused courses as courses which use sustainability in the course title or syllabus and/or at least 50% of course content addresses long term environmental protection, social justice, and/or the relationship of the economy to environmental and social equity. Virginia Tech defines sustainability-related courses as courses in which at least 20%, but less than 50%, of course content addresses long term environmental protection, social justice, and/or the relationship of the economy to environmental and social equity.