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UW-Stevens Point Ranked Highest of Any Public Institution in the State for Achievements in Sustainability

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 -- 9:01 AM

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The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has been ranked the highest of any public institution in the state for its achievements in sustainability, according to an international accrediting body.

UW-Stevens Point earned a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), a group of colleges and universities working towards a sustainable future.

The university earned a score of 72.06, the highest among the Universities of Wisconsin. STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

This is the fourth time UW-Stevens Point received a gold rating, having earned it in 2012, 2015 and 2018, and garnering a silver in 2021. The university’s 2024 report is available at https://reports.aashe.org/institutions/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point-wi/report/2024-03-22/.

“We are very proud to be recognized for our longstanding commitment to sustainability,” said Chancellor Thomas Gibson. “UW-Stevens Point consistently works towards reducing our carbon footprint as part of our ongoing mission. We are dedicated to exploring innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.”

UW-Stevens Point was recognized for its sustainability-focused curriculum and research and its student engagement through the Office of Sustainability and Student Government Association’s Green Fund and advocacy.

Also noted were the university’s waste management efforts, the purchase of 100 percent renewable electricity and work on a Climate Action and Resiliency Plan.

UW-Stevens Point’s collaborative spirit helped raise the university’s score, said Sergio Romero, a graduate research assistant in UWSP’s Office of Sustainability.

“Whether we are pursuing a new certification or just looking for input on our projects, we have multiple voices on campus and in the community that support sustainability and our Climate Action and Resiliency Plan process.”

With more than 1,200 participants in 52 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:

  • Academics,
  • Engagement,
  • Operations,
  • Planning and administration,
  • And 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.

“UW-Stevens Point has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.” AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation.

It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research.

For more information about AASHE, visit www.aashe.org. For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.

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