1. . Integrating principles of sustainability across the University curriculum Janet S. MacFall, Elaine R. Durr, Michael B. Strickland, Peter G. Felten Elon University
Background
In 2007, Elon University adopted an ambitious Sustainability Master Plan. The Sustainability Faculty Scholars Program was designed to provide resources and training to faculty throughout the University to help integrate principles of sustainability into their courses.
Defining Sustainability
Our working definition: “Development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
World Commission on Env. and Dev., adopted in the Elon Univ. Sustainability Plan
Move towards considering sustainability from environmental, political/economic and
societal/value centered perspectives
Encourage faculty to ask students how they define sustainability
Outcomes
Revisions to 21 courses with
more to come
New student assessments with
pre- and post-testing
Student sustainability games
Increased understanding by
diverse faculty
Faculty requests for training in
General Studies
Linking classes to
Environmental Sustainability
Living Learning Community
Faculty presentation at AASHE
conference
Restructuring courses in
Leisure Sports Management
to incorporate sustainability
New course in Environmental
Sociology
New course in Ecological Art
linked to Intro. to
Environmental Science
Faculty Field Trip p
Faculty Participation and Support
Faculty applied to participate
Selected courses were capped at 25 students
Faculty received $1,000 stipends
Funds were provided for book purchases
32 faculty participants from 15 departments over
3 years (~10% of full time faculty at Elon)
Duke Energy Coal Plant
Program Activities and Resources
An orientation meeting before the start of Spring
semester
3 seminars/workshops, 2 ½ hours each
Full day field trip
A ½ day workshop at the end of the semester
Summer common reading with group discussion
1 day planning retreat just before fall semester
Meeting to discuss outcomes at the end of Fall
Speakers and informal discussion gatherings for
all Scholars
Program guide based on Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment and relevant literature
Blackboard site with links to resources (ex. ESA, MEA,
environmental legislation, research papers, IPCC,
AASHE, etc.) and publically accessible data sets
Proximity Hotel
LEED Platinum
Course Example
Legal and Ethical Considerations in a Business Course
Integration of case studies such as Interface Carpet
Analysis: Are companies “Walking the Talk”?
Sustainability vs. Greenwashing
ex. GE’s Ecoimagination, Dow’s Human Element,
Wal-Mart sustainable supplier initiatives
“Triple Bottom Line” reporting – planet, people, profits
Stakeholders vs. Shareholders
Critical analysis of sample GRI reports
Sustainable investments and Dow Jones Sustainability Index
Sustainability as tool for innovation and risk management
Special thanks to the Elon Univ. Center for Environmental Studies, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Sustainability , the Senior Vice President for Business, Finance and Technology and Duke Energy for support of this program.