1. Creating a Sustainable University and Community through a Common Experience Omar S. López, Ph.D. Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Pittsburgh, PA October 12, 2011

2. Common Experience in Sustainability Texas State University – San Marcos  6th largest university in Texas  34,000 students (32% minority)  97 undergraduate, 89 masters, 9 Ph.D. programs  Ranked 16th in the nation for the number of degrees granted to Hispanic undergraduates  Hispanic Serving Institution

3. Common Experience in Sustainability Common Experience President Denise Trauth launches Common Experience in 2004, an initiative designed to cultivate a common intellectual conversation across the campus. "Early on, the vision was to connect entering students to a shared conversation," Trauth says, "but it quickly grew to include upper-level classes, student support services, campus activities, performing arts and the San Marcos schools and community."

4. Common Experience in Sustainability What is the Common Experience? The Common Experience brings students together to:  Read and engage with a powerful text  Explore related themes in University Seminar classes  Write responses and reactions to the text in writing courses  Participate in related symposia with scholarly panels  Hear renowned and respected speakers address the topic  See films related to the Common Experience theme  Explore the experience by way of the fine arts  Engage in informal discussions in residence halls and coffee shops and  Extend the exploration via the avenues of their own choosing.

5. Common Experience in Sustainability Who participates in the Common Experience?  First-time entering students enrolled in University Seminar (US) 1100  Summer Reading program initiated during orientation  Common Experience website  Faculty and staff  San Marcos Community  Others interested in participating in a broad intellectual consideration of a different world-scope topic each year  Topics emerge from the competitive ideas of faculty, staff, and students which provides a dimension of ownership and increased involvement

6. Common Experience in Sustainability 2010-2011 Common Experience: Sustainability: Science, Policy, & Opportunity While sustainability clearly concerns natural systems on which life depends, it simultaneously engages quality of life issues that include personal accountability and social, economic, and political considerations. Engaging sustainability on this broader basis must include these considerations:  What exactly do we want to sustain and why?  What current and future needs are we working to meet?

7. Common Experience in Sustainability Common Experience Goals  Engage all students as effective change agents in our sustainability challenges  Transformation from apathy to caring involvement  Increase students’ awareness that their daily decisions affect the quality of life of people around the globe

8. Common Experience in Sustainability Common Experience Objectives Provide opportunities for students to learn and practice how to be:  Environmentally responsible  Socially responsible  Economically responsible  Active citizens in a global economy

9. Common Experience in Sustainability Common Experience Context The campus as a living lab for sustainability practices and skill building, provides the models and opportunities for practicing the changing of behaviors, values, and identities. A community of learners. A community of real life problem solvers.

10. Common Experience in Sustainability 2010-2011 Common Experience Sustainability: Science, Policy, & Opportunity The Book: No Impact Man, Colin Beavan What does it really take to live eco-effectively? For one year, Colin Beavan swore off plastic and toxins, turned off his electricity, went organic, became a bicycle nut, and tried to save the planet from environmental catastrophe while dragging his young daughter and his Prada-wearing wife along for the ride. Together they attempted to make zero impact on the environment while living right in the heart of Manhattan, and this is the sensational, funny, and consciousness-raising story of how they did it. With No Impact Man, Beavan found that no-impact living is worthwhile — and richer, fuller, and more satisfying in the bargain.

11. Common Experience in Sustainability Non-Course Common Experience Activities Competitions Demonstrations Discourses Events Exhibits Fairs Featured Speakers Film Screenings Theme Weeks

12. Common Experience in Sustainability Inquires regarding the content of this presentation can be directed to: Omar S. López, Ph.D. (512) 341-0351 OL14@txstate.edu