University earns silver rating from sustainability program

By Staff Reports

Santa Clara scored high marks in the STARS program, the nation's first comprehensive sustainability rating system for colleges and universities. STARS, developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, stands for Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. It's a self-assessment tool to gauge progress toward sustainability on college and university campuses.

Santa Clara is one of 242 higher education institutions in the STARS program, and received a silver rating, which is determined by surveying three overall areas: (1) education and research; (2) operations; and (3) planning, administration and engagement.

AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that is working to create a sustainable future. AASHE's mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation by providing resources, professional development and a network of support

Santa Clara is also educating its students in and out of the classroom to help them develop a deeper understanding about sustainability and its environmental, economic and social impact on the world.

In 2009, the university launched a new core curriculum that engages students in sustainability, sustainable building design and using the campus as a living lab.

Santa Clara created the Frugal Innovation Laboratory that fosters development and application of technologies in clean energy, clean water, public health and mobile applications in ways that meet the needs of marginalized communities worldwide.

A STARS rating is valid for three years, but institutions may choose to submit data as often as once per year.