MSU receives STARS silver rating for sustainability achievements

Michigan State University has been honored by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for its sustainability achievements.

MSU earned a silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

"The projects and initiatives detailed in this report illustrate the great strides that have already been made by MSU, while also identifying areas where we can improve," said MSU Sustainability Director Ann Erhardt. "We look forward to continuing our progress."

The STARS program is the only one of its kind that involves publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university's sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in four overall areas: operations; academics; engagement; and planning and administration.

"STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts," said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. "Michigan State University has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts."

Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education in the U.S. and Canada, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.

MSU's STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.