Sustainability Strategy, Assessments and Plans

Sustainability-Related Plans and Guides

Leadership, Commitment and Action toward Global Grand Challenges

Click here to learn more about how MSU advances sustainability through partnerships to support the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainability Assessments

Sustainability Tracking and Reporting System (STARS)

The Office of Sustainability facilitates MSU’s triennial report to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), an American-based certification organization. AASHE provides a framework to measure sustainability efforts within higher education institutions. The Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS) assessment is used by over 900 schools in 40 countries and 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.

In 2019, MSU achieved its first Gold STARS rating, becoming one of three Gold-rated institutions in Michigan. MSU received its second Gold STARS rating in 2022, and is currently the highest rated institution in the state. The university has been certified through AASHE since 2011, achieving silver that year and again in 2016. The continued progress in the university's overall rating from is a testament to the growth and commitment to MSU’s sustainability efforts. More than 100 individuals across MSU contribute to the STARS reporting process, and the entire Spartan community continues to work to further sustainability in MSU's campus, community, curriculum and culture.

2022 STARS Report

View 2022 Report Online

Download Technical Manual (2.2)

2019 STARS Report

View 2019 Report Online (aashe.org)

Download 2019 STARS Supporting Data

Download Technical Manual (2.1)

Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

The Office of Sustainability works with the Office of Institutional Research to facilitate MSU’s submission to the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. This ranking assesses higher education institutions' progress against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in three main areas: research, outreach and stewardship. MSU participated for the first time in the 2021 Impact Rankings. In the 2024 Impact Rankings, MSU was ranked No. 25 in the world out of 1,963 institutions. In addition to the overall ranking, MSU ranked globally in the top 35 in these key areas: #5 for SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities; #8 for SDG 2 - Zero Hunger; #23 for SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals; and #33 for SDG 15 - Life on Land.