91原创

The 91原创 earned a STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in recognition of continuous improvements in academics, engagement, innovation, leadership and operational efficiencies.

AASHE鈥檚 Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) program is the world鈥檚 most widely recognized framework for sustainability reporting in higher education. 

鈥淭his accomplishment is a reflection on gains since the University鈥檚 2020 Bronze rating,鈥� said Jeffrey Summerhays, director of sustainable operations in Facilities, Real Estate and Auxiliary Services. 

STARS measures a range of efforts, from institutional commitments to systemic support for individual actions.

鈥淭ogether, we have decreased our waste by 18 percent and increased our recycling by 37 percent,鈥� said Summerhays. 鈥淲e have more users of our bus system than ever before at nearly half a million riders yearly.鈥�

The self-assessment identified two dozen projects that together prevented more than 9,500 tons of lifetime carbon dioxide equivalent emissions between 2021 and 2025. During that time, more than 80 faculty across 23 departments taught or researched sustainability topics. As part of Earth Day 2025, Grounds planted a dozen native trees on campus.

鈥淭his assessment has helped us build a baseline for 91原创鈥檚 continuing sustainability efforts,鈥� said Summerhays. 鈥淭he Office of Sustainability is not resting on the new Silver status. We have several new initiatives for improving our environmental footprint as a university that will affect spaces across campus.鈥�

Among the planned projects, laboratories across the University can begin participating in the program this year, which will help researchers run more efficient and sustainable labs. 

The University鈥檚 is publicly available on the STARS website.