Southwestern University has earned a STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.  

Southwestern’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.

“Preparing to submit data for STARS is a multi-month process that involves myself and Office of Sustainability interns tracking down data figures across the University in all 5 categories of credits (academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership),” said SU’s Sustainability Coordinator Veronica Johnson. “Ultimately, our STARS submission reflects the progress and accomplishments faculty, staff, and students have made to advance sustainability at Southwestern and across the greater Georgetown community.” 

Johnson also spoke how in just a few years, Southwestern has moved up from a bronze rating to a gold rating. 

“In 2018, Southwestern University received a bronze rating,” said Johnson. “Achieving gold on STARS is a tremendous feat that truly took the entire campus and shows that sustainability has become a significant part of Southwestern’s culture over the past few years.”

With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership. 

“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “Southwestern University has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”