NESSBE2019

Issues of equity in the context of a higher education campus can range from physical accessibility, to financial accessibility, to the diversity and inclusion of faculty and students, to town-gown dynamics, and much more. This session brings together three schools, each working on aspects of equity on and off their campus from different lenses, to share their lessons about process, and the impact that an equity focus can have on policies and projects.

Williams College recently hosted an administration-led engagement effort using the International Living Future Institute’s Equity Drafting Table (EDT) as a framework. The EDT is an interactive installation intended to open a dialogue about equity by posing questions like, "How can the planning, design, construction, and inhabiting of our built environment create more equitable spaces?"

The Urban Resources Initiative at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies builds positive town-gown relationships in New Haven by responding to environmental priorities identified by the community, such as green job training and community-driven forestry projects, which also create student learning opportunities.

At Hampshire College, students have made it clear that issues of equity must be addressed by both administration-led initiatives and student-led efforts. From peaceful dissent to vocal disruption, students at Hampshire have shed a light on facets of equity common on many campuses, and found ways to effect change from the bottom-up.

Living Future Accreditation Credits: 2 HRS