University of Richmond earns Silver rating for sustainability efforts
University of Richmond has received a STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
STARS, or Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, provides colleges and universities with a consistent set of measures for sustainability efforts. The framework includes four categories: academics, engagement, operations, and planning and administration.
Within the criteria, University of Richmond was recognized for its efforts, including:
- Curriculum: Sustainability is part of the Richmond educational experience. Twenty departments representing all five schools offer sustainability courses.
- Engagement: With five student sustainability groups, a Green Office Program, an environmental speaker series, and dozens of events, members of the university community have many opportunities to learn about and get involved in sustainability.
- Green Building: Nine buildings on UR’s campus are LEED-certified with five more in the pipeline.
- Solar: The University of Richmond is expanding solar energy on campus with a 205 kW solar photovoltaic array on the roof of the Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness.
“I’m really proud of what we are accomplishing at University of Richmond,” said Rob Andrejewski, director of sustainability. “Our campus community recognizes the importance of sustainability efforts ranging from installation of our solar panels to offering courses that prepare our students for a changing world. It all works together to make a difference.”
“This Silver rating is a significant achievement, which recognizes the collective efforts of many stakeholders to steward our campus, community and environment,” Andrejewski added.
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