University of Minnesota Rochester Receives STARS Silver Rating for Sustainability Achievements

The University of Minnesota Rochester has earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.  

U of MN Rochester’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.

“This achievement is a small sample of the important and valuable work we are doing to advance our commitment to sustainability - with more to come including the implementation of new climate plans for our campus in collaboration with the City of Rochester; growing our partnerships and engagement to enhance impact; and furthering our efforts for student success,” shared Chancellor Carrell. 

With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership. 

“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 Minnesota Rochester has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”

Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.