University of Arkansas Registers as Charter Participant in New Sustainability Rating System

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FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas is participating in a new program to encourage sustainability in all aspects of higher education. The program, called the Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), is administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

To date, nearly 230 higher education institutions have registered as STARS charter participants.

“The University of Arkansas is a member of American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, and our campus sustainability team has determined that the STARS reporting system is fair and transparent, and will be a useful program in which to participate,” said Nick Brown, the campus executive for sustainability.

The association’s STARS program is the only one of its kind that involves publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in three overall areas:

• education and research

• operations

• planning, administration and engagement.

“The advantage of STARS is that institutions can earn credits for all of their contributions to sustainability,” said Paul Rowland, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. “From providing sustainability coursework, to using green cleaning products, to energy efficiency in campus buildings, there are lots of opportunities for a school to identify and track its sustainability progress.”

Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education in the U.S. and Canada, 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.

“We are looking forward to the enthusiastic participation from our students and staff, as well as watching our sustainability efforts grow on campus through the STARS program,” said Brown.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. The association’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about the association, visit www.aashe.org.

For more information about the STARS program, visit www.aashe.org/stars.