The University of Rochester has once again been recognized for its efforts in sustainability by being named a STARS Silver Institution by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities working to create a sustainable future and lead the sustainability transformation. AASHE provides resources, professional development opportunities, and a network of support to enable institutions to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research.
With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (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. Institutions worldwide use STARS to assess their sustainability performance across time and in comparison to peer institutions internationally. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics, 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.
University of Rochester’s 2025 report is publicly available on the AASHE STARS website. This is the fourth consecutive Silver rating achieved by the University, following its reports submitted in 2016, 2019, and 2021.
STARS program expansion
This year’s submission marks the first time STARS 3.0, has been used to rate the University. Implemented in 2024, this new version of STARS includes additional features such as:
- Redesigned credits and formulas that are easier to follow
- Simplified inventories for courses and research
- Streamlined credits based on performance
- Increased indicators for racial equity and social justice
STARS 3.0 expands the program’s scope to cover not only environmental topics, but also other topics relating to social and economic sustainability. The update to the STARS rating system ensures that institutions continue to strive to meet new goals and be recognized for their increased effort.
With the increasing requirements needed to reach Silver Institution status, maintaining the Silver rating is an accomplishment for the University of Rochester. Some highlights of the University’s 2025 report are outlined below:
Outreach campaigns
The University engages in a variety of outreach campaigns that were considered in the STARS assessment, including the:
- Annual Campus Race to Zero Waste program promoting waste reduction and recycling across the campus body
- Reusable clamshell program that provides incoming students with reusable to-go food containers to reduce food waste from the dining halls
- Promotion of alternative transportation programs during employee orientation
- EcoReps student educator programs for first-year and upper-class students
Sustainability course offerings
Out of the University’s 29 academic departments, 20 have offered a minimum of one sustainability course at least once in the past three years. To be considered a “sustainability course,” a course must contain sustainability-related content and be part of the official list for one of the Sustainability clusters, the Sustainability minor, or the Environmental Studies major. Confirming the identified sustainability course offerings would not have been possible without the help of Karen Berger, Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences. A multidisciplinary listing of sustainability course offerings is publicly available for current and prospective students to view.
Social equity and student success
With a new emphasis on social equity in STARS 3.0, the University earned credit for its institutional climate and its student success. The overall degree completion rate for University of Rochester students is 0.85, with similar rates for students who are low-income, women, or of a marginalized gender identity. The University also offers programs for all students to help ensure completion, helping them meet the continuing goal of creating an inclusive institutional climate. Along with academic programs, the Office of Disability Resources and the Student Advisory Board to the Office of Equity and Inclusion are in place to help students thrive academically and socially.
Reaching for the STARS
To accomplish university-wide improvements associated with STARS, a “Reach for the STARS” committee was created in May 2024. This committee, made up of subject area experts, was able to complete data collection for the 2025 STARS submission, as well as identify areas of improvement for longer-term goals that will be worked towards for the next one in 2028. The committee was able to achieve two additional goals after identifying areas of improvement, earning three points for Published Sustainability Listings and one bonus point for Greenhouse Gas Verification.
Committee membership includes:
Amy Kadrie (Sustainability Senior Manager) – Project Lead and STARS Liaison, Michael Whitmore (Executive Director, Energy Services and Sustainability), Karen Berger (Associate Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences), Rachel Stuckey (Assistant Director, Commissioning), Tim Vann (Energy Engineer), Philip Piedmont (Waste Minimization Specialist), Yi-Li van den Berg (Supplier Diversity Director, Purchasing)
Further recognition for University sustainability efforts
Along with the STARS rating, the University was recognized in the Princeton Review Top 50 Green Colleges, where the University received a green score of 86 out of 100. The Princeton Review annually releases its Guide to Green Colleges during Campus Sustainability Month —an international celebration organized by AASHE. The Top 50 Green Colleges are chosen based on a combination of school-reported data and student opinion. Out of 600 schools worldwide, University of Rochester fell in the top 50 because of its commitment to practices and programs related to sustainability and the environment.
Continuing to build a sustainable University of Rochester community
As the University continues to progress on its sustainability-oriented goals and community building, students and faculty continue to participate in these initiatives. With over 100 undergraduate and graduate sustainability course offerings and student organizations centered on sustainability, the University fosters a strong sense of community in which sustainability is at the forefront. Student organizations such as EcoReps, UR Bee Campus, Grassroots, and Sustainability Through Engineering, as well as the employee organization Green Reps, allow for students and staff members of all backgrounds to connect through sustainability. With the continued effort of leaders, faculty, staff, and students, the University will continue to be ever better.
Written by Bridget Riley, ‘25
