Sustainability Initiative: southeastern Massachusetts southeast MA public college university consortium collaboration academic campus “higher education” postsecondary partnership schools transfer faculty economy culture region

CONNECT'S MISSION: to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability
of higher education; and to advance the economic, educational and cultural life of Southeastern Massachusetts.

what's new?

CONNECT Sustainability Conference

The CONNECT Sustainability Conference was held Friday, December 2, 2012 in Plymouth. Over 80 people from all six CONNECT colleges attended, representing disciplines ranging from Chemistry, Engineering and Geography to Political Science, English, and Sociology. 100% of participants reported that they were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the event!

Those who were unable to attend are invited to view the keynote presentation from Dr. Debra Rowe, Ph.D., professor of energy management, renewable energy technology and psychology at Oakland Community College, president of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development, and co-founder of the Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (www.aashe.org/heasc). By turns funny, engaging, inspiring, and down-to-earth, Dr. Rowe talked about what sustainability means today, why colleges must incorporate sustainability as part of their core missions, and how campus constituents can overcome roadblocks.

New: Additional conference proceedings and PowerPoint presentations are now available:

Incorporating Sustainability into the Curriculum - Approaches for Educators

Developing Learning Outcomes for Sustainability, Tara Rajaniemi, UMASS Dartmouth

Developing Learning Outcomes for Sustainability (notes), Tara Rajaniemi, UMASS Dartmouth

Leading through Collaborative Learning, Tom Flanagan, UMASS Dartmouth

Sustainability Efforts Beyond the Classroom

A Lending Lab for Sustainability, Robert Rak, Bristol Community College

Incorporating Campus Resources Into Curriculum, George Howe, Mass Maritime Academy

CONNECT Sustainability Initiative Intro & Results, Ann-Marie Burke, Massasoit Community College

The Outdoor Classroom, Melanie Trecek-King, Massasoit Community College

Sustainable & Green Energy (SAGE) Technology Curriculum, Meghan Abella-Bowen, Bristol Community College

Internships and Experiential Learning in Sustainability, George Howe, Mass. Maritime Academy

American Bureau of Shipping Information Commons Sustainable Graphic, George Howe, Mass. Maritime Academy

Best Practices in the Disciplines

Arts & Humanities: Teaching Sustainability through the Freshman Research Project, Sarah Moon, Cape Cod Community College

Next Steps: Enhancing Sustainability on Our Campuses

Summary of Concluding Discussion

Two New Opportunities for Collaboration and Sharing Best Practices

* The Mass Clean Energy Center has issued an RFP seeking to support workforce training program enhancement. Up to $850,000 is available for colleges/universities and other institutions to work in partnership with the region’s clean energy employers to build the instructional capacity of staff, faculty, and instructors, expose students to clean energy concepts, and/or work directly with clean energy companies to provide work experience to low-income high school students and disconnected youth. More information is available here.

* A Conference for Sustainable Communities/Sustainable Campuses is being planned for April 20 and 21, 2012, at UMass Boston. Conference organizers have issued a call for speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and posters. Click here for additional information.

about the connect sustainability initiative

Sustainability refers to the stewardship of our natural resources. It is commonly defined as “the use of current resources in a way which does not compromise the ability of future generations to use those resources.”1 The theme encompasses a wide range of topics including water pollution, water conservation, economics, social justice, climate science, ecology, history, politics, and many more.

The focus of the Sustainability Initiative is to enhance communication and collaboration between the six CONNECT institutions in the area of sustainability. The results of this initiative are expected to strengthen the role of southeastern Massachusetts as a leader in the area of sustainability education, job training, entrepreneurship and research.

1 United Nations. 1987. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, General Assembly Resolution 42/187, 11 December 1987.

summary of programs & degrees

This following table provides a listing of all certificate, undergraduate and graduate programs offered at CONNECT institutions in the area of sustainability. This table is useful for faculty and staff who are interested in connecting with others who have developed programs in specific areas of sustainability. It is also useful for student advisors when providing direction to students who are interested in pursuing a career in a particular sustainability field. For more information about each program, please contact the institution directly.

Summary of Programs & Degrees

sustainability courses

This following table provides a listing of all credit and noncredit courses offered at CONNECT institutions which incorporate sustainability as a theme. This table is useful for faculty who are interested in incorporating sustainability into their own courses or in developing courses targeted specifically at sustainability. It also provides information that may be useful when considering collaborations between institutions.

Sustainability Courses Table

Directions for Searching the Sustainability Courses Table

directory of sustainability faculty & staff

The following table provides the name, email address, phone number, department, courses taught, and research interests for faculty and staff involved with sustainability efforts at each of the CONNECT institutions. This table is useful for faculty and staff who are interested in connecting with individuals at other institutions who are working in a particular area of sustainability. This information may also be helpful for student advisors.

Directory of Faculty & Staff

directory of sustainability facilities & resources

The following tables provides information about Training Resources for sustainability areas at each of the CONNECT institutions. It also provides information about Sustainability Initiatives at the CONNECT institutions. This table should be helpful for CONNECT faculty and staff who are considering possible collaborations.

Directory of Facilities & Resources