The University of Arkansas has received a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, is a new program that measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

The University of Arkansas participation in the STARS program marks another milestone in its national leadership role in the field of campus sustainability. In May 2007, the university became a charter signatory to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, and later that year the first comprehensive inventory of greenhouse gas emissions on campus was completed. In September 2009, a climate action plan that prescribes the institution’s activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was completed.

“Attaining a STARS silver rating demonstrates to the state and the nation that the University of Arkansas is achieving tangible results through our sustainability efforts. It’s just one more example of how the university is providing excellent value to our students and to all Arkansans,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart.

The silver rating places the University of Arkansas alongside other institutions known for sustainability programs including University of Texas and University of Florida.

The 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: 1) education & research, 2) operations, and 3) planning, administration & engagement.

“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said Paul Rowland, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. “The University of Arkansas 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 in the United States 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.

“Data from the STARS reporting system makes identification of low-cost no-cost improvements to our sustainability program more efficient, and will help us develop a comprehensive report on the state of our campus’ sustainability later this year,” said Nick Brown, the director for campus sustainability.

The University of Arkansas sustainability programs continue to flourish: In September 2009, a long-range climate action plan was submitted as part of the agreement the university made when it was one of the first 100 universities to sign the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.

The first big step in implementing the climate action plan was completed this summer: the $52 million investment in energy conservation and energy efficiency improvements to campus buildings and infrastructure, thus reducing campus utility costs by nearly 30 percent and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent – putting the University of Arkansas nearly halfway toward its 2021 reduction goal.

About the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education:

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. AASHE’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 AASHE, visit www.aashe.org.

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