University of Richmond Receives STARS Gold Rating for Sustainability Achievements - Its Second
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — The University of Richmond has earned a second STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.
The University of Richmond reported on how it brought online a 20-Megawatt solar array that matches its entire electricity load with renewable energy, an 18-acre parcel that improves the quality of the water that flows through campus to the James River, and a comprehensive composting program as part of its Rethink Waste initiative.
“This Gold rating recognizes many different people working together and doing what they can to address some of the biggest challenges of our time,” said Rob Andrejewski, director of sustainability. “These efforts include students championing composting, to faculty launching a new sustainability minor, to Admissions staff offsetting the carbon emissions created by prospective student travel to campus.”
“Each of these actions is important in isolation” he added, “but taken together they tell a story of a campus community willing to step up and take action.”
More than 900 participants in 40 countries, participate in AASHE’s STARS program. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. AASHE is an association of colleges and universities working to create a sustainable future.
“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “University of Richmond has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”
The University of Richmond’s STARS report is available on the STARS website.
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