Sustainability

HEASC ‘Shared Principles’ approved

Member associations of the Sustainability Consortium define their commitment

NIRSA, as a member of the Higher Education Associations’ Sustainability Consortium (HEASC), crafted a “Statement of Shared Principles & Activities,” which was signed by all 12 HEASC member associations and presented to university presidents at the ACUPCC Summit (see related story). The statement, which clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the member associations as well as the coordinating agent, Second Nature, is below.

RESOLUTION

Statement of Shared Principles & Activities

Higher Education Associations’ Sustainability Consortium (HEASC)

Whereas, the Higher Education Associations’ Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) is a network of higher education associations (HEAs) with a commitment to advancing sustainability both within each respective constituency and within the system of higher education itself; and

Whereas, HEASC is convened and facilitated by Second Nature, a nonprofit organization that supports the Education for Sustainability (EFS) movement, helping colleges and universities expand their efforts in environmentally sustainable actions and making the principles of sustainability a foundation of all learning and practice; and

Whereas, HEASC seeks to help higher education exert strong leadership in making education, research and practice for a sustainable society mainstream within higher education; and

Whereas, the ability of HEASC member associations to advocate for sustainability within their respective organization and higher education may depend on a finite amount of human and fiscal resources available to them; and

Whereas, HEASC member associations expect HEASC convener and facilitator, Second Nature and/or The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), to provide programs and services that include, but are not limited to:

• • Bi-weekly online news digest for HEASC member associations
• • ‘Hands-on’ sustainability training for staff of HEASC member associations
• • HEASC Website development and maintenance
• • Access to best resources on sustainability for HEASC members
• • Consultation on institutionalizing sustainability practices within HEASC member associations
• • Membership in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
• • Support to implement HEASC ‘Statement of Shared Principles & Activities’

Therefore be it resolved that HEASC member associations endorse the following Statement of Shared Principles & Activities:

• Open exchange of information, knowledge, and experiences regarding sustainability within higher education among HEASC member associations;
• Capacity building within each respective HEASC member association to incorporate sustainability activities into ongoing programming and practices;
• Sustainability-related training for HEASC member association staff;
• Integration of sustainability-related training into HEASC member associations’ professional development programs;
• Aligning HEASC member association Annual Conferences and other professional development activities with sustainable practices;
• Connecting HEASC member associations to the best expertise, resources and information in sustainability for higher education;
• Communicating trends in sustainability in higher education, including HEASC activities, to constituents of HEASC member associations;
• Cooperating in joint projects with other associations and organizations that advance sustainability, where feasible;
• Encouraging college and university leaders to embrace sustainability as a core campus value.

[Signatories]

On behalf of:

• American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) - George Boggs
• ACPA-College Student Educators International (ACPA) - Greg Roberts
• American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU) - Constantine Curris
• Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA) - E. Lander Medlin
• Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) - Tom Kimmerer
• Association of College & University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I) - Sallie Traxler
• Association of Governing Boards of Universities & Colleges (AGB) - Richard Legon
• National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) - Alan Davis
• National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) - John Walda
• National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) - Doreen Murner
• National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) - Kent Blumenthal
• Society for College & University Planning (SCUP) - Jolene Knapp