Did Your University Make the 2018 Campus Sustainability List?
Whether or not sustainability is at the top of your priority list, you should be at least slightly interested in the 2018 campus sustainability list, published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), according to a recent press release.
There are 17 sustainability impact areas that your college can be assessed on. Some examples include campus engagement, transportation, and waste. Over 900 universities across the country participate in the AASHE’s initiatives. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is what ranks universities across the country in these initiatives towards becoming a more “sustainable campus.” And as of now, the STARS is the most accurate way to measure these efforts.
“The institutions featured in this year’s Sustainable Campus Index are making meaningful contributions to sustainability on their campuses and surrounding communities,” said AASHE’s Executive Director, Meghan Fay Zahniser. “They illustrate the leadership role higher education can play in contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
As we continue to damage Mother Earth, it’s important that today’s college students are actively involved in making sure we’re also doing good things for her health as well. STARS has awarded winners in their 2018 sustainability report in those 17 categories. Did your college make the list?
– Curriculum – Green Mountain College
– Research (tie) – University of California, Irvine & University of California, San Diego
– Campus Engagement – Berea College
– Public Engagement – Colorado State University
– Air & Climate (tie) Green Mountain College & Université Laval
– Buildings – University of California, Irvine
– Energy – American University
– Food & Dining – Sterling College
– Grounds – Cascadia College
– Purchasing – Macalester College
– Transportation – Columbia University
– Waste – New Mexico State University
– Water – Princeton University
– Coordination & Planning – University of Alberta
– Diversity & Affordability – Stanford University
– Investment & Finance – Green Mountain College
– Well-being & Work – Saint Mary’s College of California
If you’re wanting to get involved, you’re more than welcome to follow AASHE on Facebook and Twitter, or even read their full report on their website, which is made completely public for the benefit of citizens across our nation. AASHE’s mission is to equip faculty, staff, students, and communities to solve sustainability challenges that face our world today.