The University of Idaho has achieved a “Gold” rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) for its sustainability efforts from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS assesses and promotes sustainability in all facets of higher education.
Notably, this recognition is from UI’s self-reporting efforts for the STARS program. All five aspects of the self-report include: academics, engagements, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
The AASHE and STARS program has over 900 participants in 40 countries and is the largest recognized framework globally for reporting comprehensive data on higher education institutions’ sustainability performance.
UI has participated in STARS since 2019. However, 2024 marks the first year the institution has achieved a “Gold” rating, just below the highest “Platinum” rating. UI is the only college or university in the state to receive this rating.
“After reaching this milestone, the Office of Sustainability is excited to continue our momentum,” Office of Sustainability Manager Olivia Wiebe said. “We have already begun work on growing our sustainability efforts on campus and throughout the state.”
In the report, UI gave itself high rankings in a variety of categories, such as academics, campus engagement and planning and administration. Areas where UI acknowledged efforts could be improved are building operations and maintenance, waste minimization and diversion and landscape management. The university reported “0” for investment and finance; this is related in part to UI not pursuing divesting in fossil fuels and pursuing other sustainable investments, a somewhat controversial issue on college campuses nationwide.
As part of the STARS Gold effort, the Office of Sustainability, established in 2023, has worked with many campus partners to establish a robust catalog of programs that strengthen the campus community to partake in sustainable solutions.
UI statewide sustainability initiatives are acknowledged through the Sustainability Champion award program. This nomination-based program highlights outstanding achievements in sustainability across multiple categories for students, employees, departments, or student organization, and overall impact.
“UI has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts,” AASHE Executive Director, Meghan Fay Zahniser, said.
Students and staff interested in promoting sustainability are encouraged to engage in new programs and initiatives. Including opportunities to receive certificates to showcase sustainability efforts, a pledge to Vandals to embrace greener choices, a walking tour showing sustainability impacts in Moscow, and ambassador programs aimed to spread the word about proper recycling and integrating sustainable practices into daily life.
“Our campus has a unique culture of sustainability that deserves to be recognized and applauded,” said Madison Dougherty, sustainability graduate research assistant, who worked on gathering data for STARS.
Alyssa Johnson can be reached at [email protected]