University of Washington, Seattle
EN-10: Inter-Campus Collaboration

The Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Office at the University of Washington has developed a section on their website to "Promote" sustainability both on campus and across institutions. This section of the website lists awards, newsletters, and media information in addition to hosting a "Video Vault" that highlights various sustainability activities on campus. Presentations and reports, such as the University's Climate Action Plan, Facilities Services Booklet, and Recycling & Solid Waste Annual Report are also posted on this site. The University also submits case studies to programs such as National Wildlife Federation and AASHE as well as speaking at numerous conferences and events locally and nationally such as the Seattle City Council, WACUBO/NACUBO, AASHE Conference and many more. The UW is represented on the board of AASHE and NACUBO, allowing for sharing and learning with other institutions and colleagues. The University of Washington Sustainability Dashboard (http://green.washington.edu/metrics) displays information on sustainability metrics and conservation targets in order to show the progress toward achievement of the goals outlined in the University's Climate Action Plan and Executive Order No. 13, the University’s Policy for Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability. The University of Washington responds to questions about the development of this online dashboard from other colleges and universities on an ongoing basis.

The University of Washington is an institutional member of these organizations, leading the sustainability agenda within higher-learning institutions: American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment National Wildlife Federation Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Seattle Climate Partnership, founding partner EPA WasteWise Partner (UW Recycling & Solid Waste) Green Sports Alliance (UW Intercollegiate Athletics) Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability U.S. Green Building Council A list is available on our website at http://green.uw.edu/connect/connections-memberships

Here is a non-comprehensive list of regional, national and international Universities which the Sustainability office has collaborated with on sustainability related topics: McGill University, Yale, Edmonds Community College, University of British Columbia, Seattle University, University of Utah, Waseda University in Japan, Michigan State University, University of Maryland, Stanford, Evergreen State College, University of California Berkeley, Western Washington University, University of Vermont, Blekinge Institute of Technology (Sweden), Emory, Monash University (Australia), Portland State University, University of Alberta, University of Oahu, University of Southern Connecticut, Gonzaga University and many more. Typically these happen in the form of campus visits and meet and greets with sustainability officers from these campuses. The sustainability office frequently receives calls from students at other campuses who are interested in learning how the UW has done specific projects, like the Campus Sustainability Fund, or the composting programs. Sustainability staff also attend regional collaborative events like the annual South Sound Sustainability Conference, and the Pacific Northwest Sustainability Professionals Workshop at Evergreen State College. The University also collaborates internally among all three campuses, working closely with UW Tacoma and UW Bothell to strengthen sustainability efforts. UW Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability director Claudia Frere is on the Smart & Sustainable Campus Conference Planning Committee and the International Sustainable Campuses Network Award judging committee, which creates connections and sharing of information between institutions.