UR Receives National Gold Rating for Sustainability Achievements
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — UR has earned a STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. It’s the first time UR has earned a Gold rating.
STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System, measures sustainability in all aspects of higher education. With more than 800 participants in 30 countries, the STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for reporting information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. College and Universities are rated on academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
“This gold rating is invaluable as an evaluation of past performance, as well as a baseline for measuring future sustainability efforts,” said Rob Andrejewski, University of Richmond’s director of sustainability.
In addition to developing and implementing its first sustainability plan this past year, the university also announced plans to become the first institution of higher education in the southeast to match 100% of its electricity needs with solar energy.
“University of Richmond believes resolutely in the value of stewardship in a changing world,” said University of Richmond President Ronald A. Crutcher in his executive letter to AASHE. “We are committed to practices that will sustain our environmental, financial, human, and social resources.
For more information on sustainability initiatives at the University of Richmond visit sustainability.richmond.edu.
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AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that works to create a sustainable future. The organization provides resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about AASHE, visit www.aashe.org.