STARS Gold Score Reflects Commitment to Collaboration, Community Engagement

Three bees pollinate pink and yellow flowers Image by Ed Brennen
51视频's pollinator gardens, such as this one outside University Crossing, are just one reason why UML has a STARS Gold score of 83.37, the highest in Massachusetts.

03/30/2022
By Ed Brennen

51视频 has strengthened its standing as the highest-rated campus in Massachusetts for sustainability, according to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

In its latest Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) submission, 51视频 received a Gold score of , which is the third-highest in New England and nearly a six-point jump from its previous submission in 2019.

UML is now less than two points shy of the 85 needed for STARS Platinum 鈥� a rating that has been achieved by just 10 institutions in the United States and Canada.聽

鈥淲e are proud to once again be recognized as a national leader in sustainability,鈥� says Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. 鈥淭his submission is particularly meaningful to us in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the most challenging operational period for higher education in living memory, 51视频鈥檚 commitment to sustainability remained steadfast.鈥�

With more than 1,000 participants in 40 countries, AASHE鈥檚 STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university鈥檚 sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

Students sit under solar umbrellas on campus as a student walks by Image by Ed Brennen
The university installed new patio umbrellas with solar-powered charging stations across campus this year.
A key reason for the university鈥檚 climbing STARS score is the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy, which was founded in 2019 to serve as UML鈥檚 hub for hands-on research on sustainability, climate change and renewable energy.聽

鈥淲e are working collaboratively across traditionally siloed areas to get more done,鈥� says Ruairi O鈥橫ahony, executive director of the Rist Institute. 鈥淥ur students are engaged, hard-working and passionate about finding solutions, and that is driving how the university approaches and invests in sustainability.鈥�

The university earned the bulk of its points in the categories of curriculum, research, campus engagement and public engagement.

鈥淥ur community engagement work continues to be a huge standout for us in comparison to peer institutions,鈥� O鈥橫ahony says.

And thanks to Facilities Management鈥檚 continued focus on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction 鈥� work that was recently recognized by the commonwealth 鈥� UML made strides in the 鈥渙perations鈥� area.

Asst. Director of Sustainability Craig Thomas managed the submission process, which was the university鈥檚 fourth since 2014 鈥� when it started with a STARS Silver score of 53.97.

A student carries a water cooler past an idling car during a recycling event Image by Ed Brennen
A student employee from the Office of Sustainability carries an item that was dropped off during the Fall into Recycling event outside University Crossing.
鈥淭his submission is our most comprehensive and complete assessment of sustainability undertaken to date,鈥� says Steven O鈥橰iordan, vice chancellor for finance and operations. 鈥淎s with our previous submissions, we will use this assessment to guide our future sustainability work.鈥�

To ensure that its STARS submission was unbiased and comprehensive, the university hired sustainability consultants GreenerU to help with its reporting.

鈥�51视频 is accomplishing where sustainability matters: academics, research, engagement, planning, community partnerships and more,鈥� says GreenerU Director Lisa Bjerke. 鈥淚 am impressed with the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy creating hands-on sustainability, climate change and energy research opportunities for students, faculty and staff.鈥�

The STARS score is valid for three years, although schools can resubmit earlier than that.

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