OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego announced it has earned a STARS silver rating in recognition of its sustainability efforts from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania–based Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS — which is short for the sustainability tracking, assessment, and rating system — “measures and encourages” sustainability in all aspects of […]
OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego announced it has earned a STARS silver rating in recognition of its sustainability efforts from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania–based Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
STARS — which is short for the sustainability tracking, assessment, and rating system — “measures and encourages” sustainability in all aspects of higher education, per an Aug. 27 university news release.
AASHE says it is an association of colleges and universities working to create a sustainable future. It provides resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable colleges and universities to “model and advance sustainability in everything they do,” from governance and operations to education and research.
By participating in STARS, SUNY Oswego aligns itself with “high” campus-sustainability standards and “commits itself” to continuing to work toward a “more sustainable campus.” In previous years, the college has participated in STARS and looks to continue this participation.
“It has been an inspirational experience to work with a team of dedicated professionals from across our campus to gauge our progress towards a more sustainable future through the STARS reporting process,” Kate Spector, SUNY Oswego’s sustainability manager, said in the release.
SUNY Oswego’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.
Through SUNY Oswego’s commitment to being a more sustainable campus, STARS recognized the school’s campus food pantry SHOP (Students Helping Oz Peers). It supplies nonperishable food items, personal-care products, and clothing to students in need.
AASHE also gave SUNY Oswego high marks for diverse academic offerings that include sustainability-focused topics as well as the large percentage of faculty members who take part in sustainability-centric research opportunities and grants.
With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the “most widely recognized framework in the world” for publicly reporting information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas that include academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” Meghan Fay Zahniser, executive director of AASHE, said. “SUNY Oswego has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS silver rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”
The STARS program is open to all institutions of higher education.