This no cost pre-conference workshop outlines new opportunities for energy procurement by colleges and universities. It will include panels on The Ohio State University’s innovative 50-year energy management partnership with ENGIE Services and on options for the purchase of renewable energy (including on-site and off-site generation). Elizabeth Kocs, director of Energy Institute at University of Illinois-Chicago, will give the keynote address. The workshop is Monday, Oct. 1 from 2-5 p.m. at the Pittsburgh office of the law firm K&L Gates.

This online workshop, happening from Oct. 15 through Nov. 18, is designed for higher education instructors wishing to infuse sustainability (ecological stability, social equity, and economic vitality) into their curriculum regardless of the discipline by identifying areas of sustainability intersection. Effective assessment of critical thinking skills, collaboration, creativity, and the ability to analyze, discuss and create solutions to real-world sustainability problems will be explored. Moraine Valley Community College is one of 13 regional AASHE Centers for Sustainability Across the Curriculum. The deadline to register is Oct. 14.

The call for proposals is open for the Washington and Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference (WOHESC), happening Feb. 25-27, 2019 at the University of Washington. Examining systemic change and generating dialogue, WOHESC 2019 aims to continue its work advancing equity, diversity and inclusion through thematic elements, speakers and attendees. The submission deadline is Oct. 5.

Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) has released a pledge to guide campuses through the long-term elimination of single-use disposable plastics. The Break Free From Plastic campus pledge and toolkit address accessibility and inclusivity concerns and generate a framework for college campuses to develop long-term systemic solutions to issues around waste.

Through a series of four 60-90 minute phone calls, the Green Office Course aims to help participants start or improve a green office program at a college or university. The learning goals of the course include pitching the green office model to students and staff, making the case for institutional sustainability, and designing an initial design for a green office. The English version of the course begins on Oct. 24. The deadline to apply is Oct. 16.

This is a collection of short case studies highlighting a range of best practices that enhance environmental stewardship, improve cost and energy efficiencies, and provide for greater collaborations among students, faculty and staff at colleges and universities. Compiled by APPA, this book includes 123 best practices from 92 separate colleges, universities or schools.

The 2018 Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing colleges and universities overall by institution type and in 17 sustainability impact areas as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). The report also highlights innovative and high-impact initiatives from institutions that submitted STARS reports in the most recent calendar year.