Given Auburn’s commitment to sustainability as a core value and guiding principle for its operations, instruction, research, and outreach, it makes an excellent topic for Auburn faculty, administrators, and staff to explore as a part of their professional development. To get you started, we have assembled some resources you may find useful as you begin to build sustainability as an ethic, concept, and practice.
UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABILITY
- Grasp the meaning and purpose of Sustainability, including the mindset, approach, and values behind the sustainability movement.
- Use the Sustainability Compass, as a framework for the four systems conditions needed to achieve sustainability. Exploring various topics through the compass points, Nature, Economy, Society, and Wellbeing, makes connections between our individual and collective actions and the world around us.
- Get book recommendations in our Books and Ball Caps series where Mike shares great sustainability reads and the stories behind all those ball caps.
- Explore how Auburn contributes to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through academics, engagement, research, and operations.
- Apply for our Professional Development Sponsorship Program in November and May to support the financial cost of attending sustainability-related professional development opportunities.
- Discover educational and support resources, memberships, conferences, and actions for the workplace on our Working at AU page.
- Learn from experts and thought leaders immersed in the global movement for a sustainability transformation in our inspirational Sustainability Speaker Series.
- Gain inspiration and insights from our Sustainability Film Series while enjoying popcorn and fresh air at our outdoor films.
- Learn tips, resources, and regulations for cycling at Auburn on the Biking at Auburn
ENGAGING IN YOUR WORKPLACE
- Participate in campus-wide sustainability campaigns such as Cycle September found on our Biking at Auburn
- Connect with the campus resources in our Auburn Employee Sustainability Connector to create a more sustainable work life.
- Implement practices that save energy, water and money, and support the health of lab workers in our Green Labs Program, a
- collaboration between Risk Management and Safety, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Department, and the Office of Sustainability, to save money and resources.
- Recycle batteries used for work in our Battery Recycling Program, a collaboration between Risk Management and Safety and the Office of Sustainability. Find the collection location closest to you by visiting the webpage above. As a reminder, batteries for personal use need to be taken to the city’s recycling center.
- Take the actions recommended for sustainable living and working, green events, and transportation choices outlined in our sustainability guides and connect with additional sustainability resources on campus.
- Attend sustainability-related events sponsored by units across campus posted on the Office of Sustainability calendar. If you would like to collaborate with our office on an event or initiative, please email sustain@auburn.edu.
- Contribute to our blog by sharing your sustainability story and/or how you are engaging with the SDGs.
- Recognize an individual or groups that makes significant contributions toward sustainability on campus or in a community by nominating them for a Spirit of Sustainability Award.
- Finally, last but not least, those of you who are Auburn University alumni can join the newly formed Sustainability Auburn Alumni Affiliate.
SUPPORTING YOUR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
- Schedule a unit assessment for us to come review your practices in energy, waste, water, purchasing, transportation, fleet, publications, administration, and people.
- Faculty and instructors can request a guest speaker for their classes. Reach out to our office and we will come speak or make a recommendation for another expert on campus.
Our office encourages using campus as a living-laboratory by connecting faculty and instructors with units on campus and with the Academic Sustainability Program.