Following a 2017 resiliency workshop that AU hosted in partnership with DOEE, other DC universities, and the Nature Conservancy, consultants led an all-day workshop consisting of 21 faculty, staff, and students to identify opportunities for improved campus resiliency. Following the achievement of carbon neutrality in April 2018, the Office of Sustainability solicited input from the AU community for new sustainability goals through a faculty survey, during student and staff events, and online. In total, 251 ideas and thoughts were shared from students, faculty, and staff.

Sustainability staff reviewed prior STARS reports, the Sustainable DC goals, Resilient DC goals, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and AU’s Strategic Plan to find opportunities to support sustainability and broader goals on campus, across the region, and globally.

The Sustainability Advisory Committee met several times to review the plan while stakeholders across the university met one-on-one with sustainability staff to write goals and actions.