U of A Receives Gold Rating for Campus Sustainability Achievements

By Russell Cothren
Photo Submitted

By Russell Cothren

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas has achieved a Gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System – STARS -- in recognition of campus-wide sustainability achievements.  The STARS program is administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education to promote sustainability in all aspects of higher education. The association is made up of over 900 members in the U.S. and 20 countries.

The U of A’s STARS ranking advanced from silver to gold in 2017, in recognition of major steps towards sustainability in on-campus engagement, research, and operations. The university initiated a campus-wide sustainability plan after Chancellor John White signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment in 2007 -- now known as the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments. The U of A Climate Action Plan  calls for the campus to be climate neutral by 2040, with interim goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to their 1990 level by 2021. This will coincide with the university’s 150th birthday. The U of A is on track to meet that goal early, despite its remarkable enrollment growth and addition of several new buildings.

The U of A received a high STARS ranking in academics, as well,  with over a third its departments offering at least one sustainability course and approximately half of all sponsored research projects addressing a pillar of sustainability. This achievement reflects the global reach of U of A research and other collaborative work, touching every corner of Arkansas and the world.

For more information about sustainability at the University of Arkansas, visit sustainability.uark.edu.

Contacts

Eric Boles, Director
Office for Sustainability
479-575-2405, eboles@uark.edu

Steve Voorhies, manager of media relations
University Relations
479-575-3583, voorhies@uark.edu

Headlines

The World as a Classroom: The Executive M.B.A. Program at U of A

The program, offered through the Sam M. Walton College of Business, blends online learning with face-to-face interaction and applied studies in a real-time international immersion trip.

Keri Blakinger, Author of 'Corrections in Ink,' to Speak at Fayetteville Public Library April 22

Blakinger, an award-winning journalist now at the Los Angeles Times, will talk about her memoir and her work as a reporter at 6 p.m. April 22 at the Fayetteville Public Library's Walker Community Room.

Visit With University Libraries and Pat Walker Health Center's Medical Services at Carnival Today

Employees are invited to meet fellow workers from units across campus including the University Libraries and the Pat Walker Health Center at today's Making Your Day Work Carnival at the Arkansas Union.

Farewell Reception April 3 for Fulbright College's Lisa Summerford

The campus community is invited to celebrate Summerford's achievements and to wish her well during a drop-in retirement reception from 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, in the Fulbright College Dean's Office in Old Main 523.

Rachel McGathy Retiring After 25 Years

There will be a reception to celebrate McGathy's retirement from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, in the downstairs breakroom at Uptown East.

News Daily