KU earns silver rating for sustainability achievements

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has earned 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 the international association’s system to measure and encourage sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

KU’s STARS report is publicly available online, and the university was recognized as a top performer for its planning and administration efforts in the AASHE’s 2015 Sustainable Campus Index. This recognition is due in part to the university’s progress toward the goals of its campus plan, Building Sustainable Traditions.

At KU, the Center for Sustainability works with several committees and other groups to implement the campus sustainability plan. It has created a first-year leadership program to educate students about campus sustainability, established campus tree and bicycle advisory boards, and launched the Rock Chalk Recycle waste reduction program in partnership with Kansas Athletics. The center has also worked to establish an annual tree planting event called Replant Mount Oread.

“I think this recognizes our efforts over the past several years to build a strong and diverse community on campus dedicated to improving campus sustainability,” said Jeff Severin, director of the KU Center for Sustainability. “This work also complements our campus Bold Aspirations strategic plan as we continue to strive to build a healthy campus community that will continue to thrive well into the future.”

With more than 650 participants on six continents, the STARS program is widely recognized for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in four overall areas: operations, academics, engagement, and planning and operation.

KU is one of 121 institutions that currently hold a silver rating, the third-highest rating given by the organization.

“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said Meghan Fay Zahniser, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. “The University of Kansas has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS silver rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”

Photos, from top: The Center for Sustainability hosted a recent bicycle safety event; at right, students participate in the annual spring Replant Mount Oread event.