Campus SHINE: A New Program to Address Light Pollution on College and University Campuses

The typical college or university campus is an ideal setting for pursuing control of light pollution for several reasons: 1. campuses are usually geographically self-contained and self-governed; 2. they are a size scale where a few dedicated individuals can reasonably expect to have an influence on policy; 3. there are usually experts available in not just astronomy but also biology and ecological sustainability, engineering, human health, biology, landscape architecture and planning; and public policy; and 4. students are often eager to engage in activism and will carry with them into their adult lives any lessons learned about the importance of natural darkness at night. The American Astronomical Society’s Light Pollution Sub-committee of the Commitee on Light Pollution, Radio Interference, and Space Debris is developing a new initiative called Campus SHINE: Safe Healthy Illumination for the Nighttime Environment. We are collecting extensive information on existing campus-based lighting plans and experiences from across the country and working with top experts from lighting industry and DarkSky. Our main product will be a how-to manual for academics and possibly students to use as they pursue light pollution control measures on their own campuses. That manual will include such elements as Adopting the IDA/IES Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting; building a coalition of allies; understanding local and state regulations; developing an action plan; and recommended campus lighting design standards.