2021
Sustainable
CampusIndex

Top-performing colleges and universities as measured by the
Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)

1

Table of Contents
Introduction 						3Top Performers by Impact Area 			4

Air & Climate 					5Buildings						7Campus Engagement				9Coordination & Planning			11Curriculum					13Diversity & Affordability			
15
Energy						17Food & Dining					19Grounds						21Investment & Finance				23Public Engagement				25Purchasing					27Research						29Transportation					32Waste						34Water						36Wellbeing & Work				39Overall Top Performers 				

41Associate Colleges				42Baccalaureate Institutions			43Master’s Institutions				44Doctoral Institutions				45Overall Average Scores				46On the cover:Student ambassadors join together for
the first briefing of the second iterationof the Sustainable Development
Ambassadors Program at Mohammed VI
Polytechnic University (UM6P) in 2021.
Located in Morocco, UM6P is the first
STARS-rated institution from Africa. See
Institutional Highlight on page 55.

Institutional Highlights 				47Methodology					66About STARS						68STARS of Data Accuracy 				

69STARS Ratings 					70

2Introduction

Volunteers attend to chrysalises at the rooftop monarch nursery at Dawson College, the top-rated two-year STARS
institution (see page 42). Photo credit: Anita Liniker

The 2021 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI) recognizes top-performingcolleges and universities overall by institution type and in 17
sustainability impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking,Assessment & Rating System (STARS). STARS is a voluntary frameworkused by hundreds of colleges and universities to measure, report andstrengthen their contributions to global sustainability. The SCI also
includes innovative and high-impact institutional highlights, andrecognizes institutions with exceptional report accuracy and quality.

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Top Performers by Impact Area
Highest scores in 17 sustainability impact areas related to academics,
engagement, operations and administration.

UC Berkeley staff focusing on wellbeing and health in the workplace. UC Berkeley is recognized as a Top Performer inseveral impact areas. Courtesy of University of California, Berkeley.

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Air & Climate

Dickinson College achieves carbon neutrality. See Institutional Highlight on page 51. Photo credit: Joe O’Neill

Global climate change brings myriad negative impacts throughout theworld, including increased frequency and potency of extreme weather
events, sea-level rise, species extinction, water shortages, declining
agricultural production and the spread of diseases. The impacts are
particularly pronounced for low-income communities and countries.
Institutions that inventory and take steps to reduce their air pollutant
emissions can positively impact the health of their local communities andregions. This section covers greenhouse gas emissions assessment andmitigation and outdoor air quality.
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Air & Climate
Top Performers
Rank
1
2(t)
2(t)
4
5(t)
5(t)
7
8
9(t)
9(t)

Institution
Arizona State University
Colby College
Dickinson College
Bates College
Bowdoin College
Dawson College
Colorado College
Thompson Rivers University
Universite Laval
University of Tasmania

Score
100%+
100%
100%
99.2%
98.5%
98.5%
98.0%
96.2%
95.5%
95.5%

Type
DoctoralBaccalaureate
Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate
Associate
Baccalaureate
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoral

Location
Tempe, AZ
Waterville, ME
Carlisle, PA
Lewiston, ME
Brunswick, ME
Montreal, QC
Colorado Springs, CO
Kamloops, BC
Québec, QC
Hobart, Australia

Tiebreaks (+) in this and subsequent sections were determined based on bonus points earned in the respective impact
area. See Methodology section for details.

Average Scores*All Institutions
All Institutions
375

50.5%
50.0%
49.1%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

59.3%
57.8%
56.0%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325

49.6%
49.5%
48.5%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

54.7%
51.2%
49.2%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

52.5%
50.8%
52.3%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

47.4%
48.5%
47.2%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

50.9%
50.1%
48.5%

2021

2020

2019

*Amounts listed here and in subsequent graphs correspond to 2021 counts.

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Buildings

Efficient mechanical systems at University of Massachusetts Medical School include chilled beams and heat recovery
wheels. See Top Performers list on next page. Photo credit: UMass Chan Medical School

Buildings are generally the largest user of energy and the largest sourceof greenhouse gas emissions on campuses. Buildings also use significant
amounts of potable water. Institutions can design, build and maintainbuildings in ways that provide a safe and healthy indoor environment forinhabitants while simultaneously mitigating the building’s impact on theoutdoor environment. This section covers the maintenance and operationsof existing buildings as well as new building design and construction.
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Buildings
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9(t)
9(t)
9(t)

Institution
University of California, Merced
University of California, Irvine
Chatham University
Nova Scotia Community College
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Davis
Arizona State University
University of Massachusetts Medical School
University of Minnesota, Morris
Western University

Score
64.6%
63.3%
62.5%
61.6%
60.4%
59.5%
58.6%
58.4%
56.3%
56.3%
56.3%

Type
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Associate
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate
Doctoral

Location
Merced, CA
Irvine, CA
Pittsburgh, PA
Halifax, NS
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Davis, CA
Tempe, AZ
Worcester, MA
Morris, MN
London, ON

Average Scores
All Institutions
All Institutions
375

30.2%
31.0%
32.5%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

30.0%
33.7%
34.0%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325

30.7%
31.2%
32.9%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

31.5%
33.3%
31.1%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79
Master’s Institutions
Master's
84
Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

26.1%
25.5%
26.6%
27.8%
29.3%
32.8%
33.0%
34.3%
35.5%

2021

2020

2019

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Campus Engagement

Engagement during Portland State’s Sustainability Mentorship cohort launch. See Institutional Highlight on page 57.
Courtesy of Portland State University.

Engaging in sustainability through co-curricular activities allows
students, faculty and staff to deepen and apply their understandings ofsustainability principles. Co-curricular sustainability offerings help to
integrate sustainability into the campus culture and encourage behavior
changes that promote sustainability. This section covers student andemployee sustainability education programs and orientations, assessmentof sustainability culture, outreach materials and campaigns.

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Campus Engagement
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4(t)
4(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)

Institution
University of Connecticut
Cornell University
Thompson Rivers University
Colby College
Colorado State University
Emory University
Mount Royal University
Stanford University
University of Calgary
University of Missouri

Score
100%
99.33%
99.29%
98.8%
98.8%
97.6%
97.6%
97.6%
97.6%
97.6%

Type
DoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
Baccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoral

Location
Storrs, CT
Ithaca, NY
Kamloops, BC
Waterville, ME
Fort Collins, COAtlanta, GA
Calgary, AB
Stanford, CA
Calgary, AB
Columbia, MO

Average Scores
68.0%
68.2%
68.9%

All Institutions
375

All Institutions

72.8%
76.1%
73.5%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

67.5%
67.5%
68.4%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325
59.0%
56.2%
53.6%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21
Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

66.8%
66.3%
68.6%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

64.4%
66.9%
68.3%
71.2%
71.8%
71.8%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190
2021

2020

2019

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Coordination & Planning

Climate change action planning and community engagement at University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. See Top Performers
list on next page. Photo credit: Rob Blanchard

Coordination and planning help institutions organize, implement andpublicize sustainability initiatives. These efforts provide the infrastructure
to foster sustainability, establish priorities, guide decision making andbudgeting, and clarify a vision for a sustainable future. This section covers
sustainability planning, coordination and participatory governance.

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Coordination & Planning
Top Performers
Rank
1
2(t)
2(t)
2(t)
2(t)
2(t)
2(t)
2(t)
2(t)
2(t)

Institution
Thompson Rivers University
Université de Sherbrooke
Universite Laval
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
University of California, Irvine
University of Georgia
University of Manitoba
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton
University of Victoria

Score
100%+
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Type
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoral

Location
Kamloops, BC
Sherbrooke, QC
Québec, QC
Edmonton, AB
Calgary, AB
Irvine, CA
Athens, GA
Winnipeg, MB
Fredericton, NB
Victoria, BC

Average Scores
66.0%
65.9%
69.2%

All Institutions
All Institutions
375

77.4%
74.5%
78.2%

Canadian Institutions
Canada41
U.S. Institutions
United States
325

64.8%
65.4%
68.6%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

66.2%
63.1%
67.3%
59.3%
59.5%
62.7%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79
Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

63.0%
64.5%
70.4%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

70.2%
70.4%
72.1%

2021

2020

2019

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Curriculum

Wetland ecology students at Sterling College visit the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge to learn about managing wetland
habitat for migratory birds and other organisms. See Top Performers list on next page. Photo credit: Sterling College

Higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to understand andaddress sustainability challenges. Colleges and universities equip students
to lead society to a sustainable future by developing and offering learning
opportunities in sustainability. This section covers courses, programs andlearning outcomes in sustainability, living laboratory initiatives, immersive
experiences, sustainability literacy and faculty development.

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Curriculum
Top Performers
Rank Institution
1
State University of New York College ofEnvironmental Science and Forestry2(t)Colorado State University2(t)Sterling College (VT)4
Florida Gulf Coast University
5
University of Connecticut
6
University of New Hampshire
7
Stanford University
8(t)College of the Atlantic8(t)Keene State College8(t)Unity College

Score
Type
100%+ Doctoral

Location
Syracuse, NY

100%
100%
99.4%
97.9%
96.5%
95.5%
95.0%
95.0%
95.0%

Fort Collins, CO
Craftsbury Common, VT
Fort Myers, FL
Storrs, CT
Durham, NH
Stanford, CA
Bar Harbor, ME
Keene, NH
Unity, ME

DoctoralBaccalaureate
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate
Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate

Average Scores
61.9%
60.7%
59.8%

All Institutions
All Institutions
375

67.9%
66.9%
62.6%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

61.2%
60.1%
59.6%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325
51.0%
49.2%
47.8%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

63.7%
61.1%
60.5%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

57.6%
59.7%
58.2%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

64.3%
62.9%
62.2%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190
2021

2020

2019

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Diversity & Affordability

University of Virginia’s new Memorial for Enslaved Laborers. See Institutional Highlight on page 65. Photo credit: Sanjay
Suchak/UVA University Communications

Higher education opens doors to opportunities that create a more
equitable world and must be accessible to all regardless of race, gender,
religion, socioeconomic status and other differences. A diverse bodyof students, faculty and staff provide rich resources for learning andcollaboration. This section covers diversity coordination, assessment for
campus equity, discrimination response, higher education affordability
and access, increasing faculty diversity, and support and recruitment ofunderrepresented students, faculty and staff.

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Diversity & Affordability
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Institution
Stanford University
Rice University
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Thompson Rivers University
University of California, Irvine
University of Pennsylvania
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Michigan
University of New Hampshire
California State University, Northridge

Score
98.7%
97.9%
96.2%
95.4%
95.3%
95.2%
95.1%
94.3%
93.6%
92.5%

Type
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Master’s

Location
Stanford, CA
Houston, TX
Edinburg, TX
Kamloops, BC
Irvine, CA
Philadelphia, PA
Saint Louis, MO
Ann Arbor, MI
Durham, NH
Northridge, CA

Average Scores
68.7%
68.8%
69.8%

All Institutions
All Institutions
375
56.8%
54.6%
57.0%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

70.8%
70.7%
71.8%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325
52.9%
53.8%
53.2%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

66.8%
68.6%
69.4%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

64.0%
62.8%
66.0%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

73.3%
74.5%
74.5%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190
2021

2020

2019

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Energy

Bates College students install solar on their coastal research facility. This facility is now 100 percent solar thanks to thework of the students. See Top Performers list on next page. Photo credit: Phyllis Graber-Jensen

For most institutions, energy consumption is the largest source ofgreenhouse gas emissions. Implementing conservation measures andswitching to renewable sources of energy helps institutions save money
and protect them from utility rate volatility. Renewable energy may
be generated locally and allows campuses to support local economic
development. Furthermore, institutions can help shape markets bycreating demand for cleaner, renewable sources of energy. This section
recognizes energy reduction and development and use of clean andrenewable energy sources.
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Energy
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4(t)
4(t)
6
7
8
9
10

Institution
Bates College
Thompson Rivers University
Stanford University
University of New Hampshire
University of South Florida (Tampa)
University of Idaho
Bentley University
Western Technical College
American University
Arizona State University

Score
83.8%
83.5%
73.7%
69.7%
69.7%
68.1%
67.7%
67.6%
67.5%
65.7%

Type
Baccalaureate
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
Associate
DoctoralDoctoral

Location
Lewiston, ME
Kamloops, BC
Stanford, CA
Durham, NH
Tampa, FL
Moscow, ID
Waltham, MA
La Crosse, WI
Washington, DC
Tempe, AZ

Average Scores
All Institutions
All Institutions
375

37.6%
37.2%
35.8%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

36.2%
34.9%
33.1%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325

37.9%
37.5%
36.1%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

40.0%
36.3%
32.1%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

38.4%
39.7%
40.1%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

38.0%
37.0%
33.7%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

37.0%
36.3%
35.2%

2021

2020

2019

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Food & Dining

Fresh produce from University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ Farm Subscription Program. See Institutional Highlight on
page 61. Photo credit: Nanna Meyer

Institutions can use their food purchases to support local economies,
encourage environmentally friendly and humane farming methods,
help eliminate unsafe working conditions and alleviate poverty forfarmworkers. These actions reduce environmental impacts, preserve
regional farmland, improve local food security, support fair and resilient
food systems and reduce food waste. Dining services support sustainable
food systems by making low impact dining options available andeducating customers about more sustainable options. This section covers
meatless dining, and sustainable food and beverage purchasing andpractices.
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Food & Dining
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Institution
Sterling College (VT)University of Winnipeg
University of Connecticut
University College Cork - National
University of Ireland, Cork
Emory University
Columbia University
Antioch College
Smith College
University of Washington, Seattle
University of the Pacific

Score
99.4%
89.0%
70.6%
69.9%

Type
Baccalaureate
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoral

Location
Craftsbury Common, VT
Winnipeg, MB
Storrs, CT
Cork, Ireland

65.8%
62.5%
62.3%
62.1%
61.1%
59.1%

DoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate
Baccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoralAtlanta, GA
New York, NY
Yellow Springs, OH
Northampton, MA
Seattle, WA
Stockton, CA

Average Scores
All Institutions
All Institutions
375

30.4%
28.7%
28.0%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

32.0%
30.7%
29.7%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325

30.4%
28.6%
27.7%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21
Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79
Master’s Institutions
Master's
84
Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

25.0%
21.6%
15.7%
33.0%
31.4%
31.1%
26.7%
26.7%
27.3%
31.6%
29.5%
28.5%

2021

2020

2019

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Grounds

Path through an edible forest at HEC Montréal. See Top Performers list on next page. Photo credit: HEC Montréal

Beautiful and welcoming campus grounds can be planned, planted andmaintained in any region while minimizing the use of toxic chemicals,
protecting wildlife habitat, conserving resources and promoting
organic care. This section covers campus land management, sustainable
landscaping and biodiversity of campus grounds and surrounding lands.

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Grounds
Top Performers
Rank
1(t)
1(t)
1(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)
4(t)

Institution
Cascadia College
Chatham University
George Washington University
Antioch College
Central New Mexico Community College
College of the Atlantic
Dawson College
Florida State University
HEC Montréal
McGill University
Polytechnique Montréal
The American College of Greece
Universite de Montreal
University of Maine
University of Saskatchewan
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Score
100%+
100%+
100%+
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Type
Baccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate
Associate
Baccalaureate
Associate
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoral

Location
Bothell, WA
Pittsburgh, PA
Washington, DC
Yellow Springs, OH
Albuquerque, NM
Bar Harbor, ME
Montreal, QC
Tallahassee, FL
Montreal, QC
Montreal, QC
Montréal, QC
Athens, Greece
Montreal, QC
Orono, ME
Saskatoon, SK
Milwaukee, WI

Average Scores
All Institutions
All Institutions
375

56.5%
54.8%
53.9%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

57.5%
56.4%
56.9%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325

56.6%
54.9%
54.0%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

43.5%
41.6%
36.2%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

59.8%
55.2%
55.4%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

50.5%
49.2%
51.5%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

59.3%
59.8%
57.2%

2021

2020

2019

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Investment & Finance

Lewis & Clark College students advocated for fossil fuel divestment prior to an announcement by the Board of Trustees
to divest from fossil fuel holdings in the endowment. Photo credit: Lewis & Clark College

Collectively, colleges and universities invest hundreds of billions ofdollars, and the impacts from investments are both local and global inscope. Using transparent and democratic investment processes improves
the long-term health of institutional endowments, encourages better
corporate behavior, supports innovative product development and builds a
more just and sustainable financial system. This section covers sustainable
investment, committees for responsible investing and investment
disclosure.

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Investment & Finance
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
10(t)
10(t)

Institution
Arizona State University
University College Cork - National
University of Ireland, Cork
Warren Wilson College
Hampshire College
Chatham University
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Riverside
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Merced
University of California, Santa Cruz

All Institutions
All Institutions
375
Canadian Institutions
Canada41
U.S. Institutions
United States
325
Associate Colleges
Associate
21
Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79
Master’s Institutions
Master's
84
Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

Score
92.9%
85.7%

Type
DoctoralDoctoral

Location
Tempe, AZ
Cork, Ireland

83.3%
81.6%
79.3%
77.4%
77.4%
77.4%
77.4%
74.1%
74.1%

Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoral

Swannanoa, NC
Amherst, MA
Pittsburgh, PA
Berkeley, CARiverside, CA
La Jolla, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Merced, CA
Santa Cruz, CA

Average Scores
16.9%
16.5%
16.1%
20.2%
17.3%
16.3%
16.6%
16.4%
16.1%
4.7%
4.9%
3.4%
18.3%
18.5%
21.0%
10.8%
13.3%
10.6%
20.3%
18.7%
18.1%

2021

2020

2019

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Public Engagement

A student leader at Portland Community College shows off the sign they made for the youth climate rally during PCC’s
annual Eco-social Justice Day event. See Institutional Highlight on page 56. Courtesy of Portland Community College.

Engagement in problem-solving with community members andorganizations in the governmental, nonprofit and for-profit sectors
encourages widespread solutions to sustainability challenges. Public
engagement helps students develop leadership skills while deepening
their understandings of practical, real-world problems and the processof creating solutions. This section covers community and inter-campus
partnerships, continuing education, community service, public policy
participation and trademark licensing.

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Public Engagement
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Institution
University of Connecticut
State University of New York College ofEnvironmental Science and Forestry
Colorado State University
Cornell University
Indiana University-Purdue University
Indianapolis (IUPUI)Colby College
Stanford University
University of Georgia
Santa Clara University
Bowdoin College

Score
100%
97.0%

Type
DoctoralDoctoral

Location
Storrs, CT
Syracuse, NY

96.6%
96.2%
95.4%

DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralFort Collins, CO
Ithaca, NY
Indianapolis, IN

94.33%
94.25%
93.7%
93.6%
93.3%

Baccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate

Waterville, ME
Stanford, CA
Athens, GA
Santa Clara, CA
Brunswick, ME

Average Scores
All Institutions
All Institutions
375

61.3%
61.9%
62.6%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

63.7%
63.5%
61.1%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325

61.1%
61.9%
62.9%
55.7%
50.0%
48.1%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

58.7%
62.7%
64.7%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

53.7%
55.5%
56.7%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

66.4%
66.9%
66.8%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190
2021

2020

2019

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Purchasing

A McGill University student fills up a water bottle using a water cart purchased during the Refill McGill campaign. See Top
Performers list on next page. Photo credit: Nick MilumCollectively, institutions spend many billions of dollars on goods andservices annually. Each purchasing decision represents an opportunity
for institutions to choose environmentally and socially preferable
products and services and support companies with strong commitments
to sustainability. This section covers general and commodity-specificsustainable purchasing policies, life cycle cost analysis and purchase ofelectronics, paper and cleaning products.
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Purchasing
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10(t)
10(t)

Institution
Dalhousie University
Keene State College
University of Ontario Institute ofTechnology
McGill University
University of Dayton
The American College of Greece
Seattle University
Arizona State University
Université de Sherbrooke
North Seattle College
University of Calgary

Score
99.0%
98.3%
95.8%

Type
DoctoralBaccalaureate
Master’s

Location
Halifax, NS
Keene, NH
Oshawa, ON

93.8%
92.3%
91.7%
91.2%
90.8%
90.3%
89.8%
89.8%

DoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate
DoctoralMontreal, QC
Dayton, OH
Athens, Greece
Seattle, WA
Tempe, AZ
Sherbrooke, QC
Seattle, WA
Calgary, AB

Average Scores
All Institutions
All Institutions
375

53.5%
53.2%
52.0%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

59.1%
61.1%
56.3%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325

53.0%
52.8%
51.9%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

45.3%
45.7%
39.2%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

47.2%
48.3%
49.2%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

54.2%
53.4%
51.6%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

56.9%
56.7%
55.6%

2021

2020

2019

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Research

SUNY ESF students benefit from an incredible range of opportunities for applied learning and research related tosustainability and natural resources. See Top Performers list on page 45. Courtesy of SUNY ESF.

By researching sustainability issues and refining theories and concepts,
higher education institutions help the world to understand sustainability
challenges and develop new technologies, strategies and approaches toaddress those challenges. This section covers faculty and department
sustainability research and initiatives for open access research.

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Research
Top Performers
Rank
1(t)
1(t)
1(t)
1(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)
5(t)

Institution
Florida State University
Keene State College
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Merced
Binghamton University
Carnegie Mellon University
Colorado State University
Cornell University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Furman University
George Mason University
Pennsylvania State University
Portland State University
Principia College
Rice University
Santa Clara University
Simon Fraser University
Texas A&M University
Université de Sherbrooke
Universite Laval
University of Calgary
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Connecticut
University of Dayton
University of Manitoba
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Minnesota, Duluth
University of New Hampshire
Yale University

Score
100%+
100%+
100%+
100%+
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Type
DoctoralBaccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
Baccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoral

Location
Tallahassee, FL
Keene, NH
Irvine, CA
Merced, CA
Binghamton, NY
Pittsburgh, PA
Fort Collins, CO
Ithaca, NY
Fort Myers, FL
Greenville, SC
Fairfax, VA
University Park, PA
Portland, OR
Elsah, IL
Houston, TX
Santa Clara, CA
Burnaby, BC
College Station, TX
Sherbrooke, QC
Québec, QC
Calgary, AB
La Jolla, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Storrs, CT
Dayton, OH
Winnipeg, MB
Amherst, MA
Duluth, MN
Durham, NH
New Haven, CT

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Research
Average Scores
74.5%
72.7%
72.4%

All Institutions
All Institutions
375

84.9%
83.5%
83.1%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41
73.0%
71.6%
71.0%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325
Associate Colleges
Associate
21

49.8%

58.4%
58.1%
73.3%
71.3%
71.5%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

67.2%
64.9%
63.3%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

79.0%
79.0%
78.0%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190
2021

2020

2019

Principia College students engage in interdisciplinary research to define solutions to sustainability challenges, such as
defining marine hotspots. See Top Performers list on previous page. Photo credit: Department of Environment and Marine
Affairs, Turks and Caicos Islands

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Transportation

Student biking at University of Victoria. See Top Performers list on next page. Courtesy of University of Victoria.

Institutions positively impact human and ecological health and support
local economies by modeling sustainable transportation systems.
Transportation-related emissions and pollutants contribute to healthproblems which, due to disproportionate exposure, are more pronounced
in low-income communities near major transportation corridors.
In addition, fuel extraction, production and distribution damages
environmentally and culturally significant ecosystems and financiallybenefits oppressive governments. This section covers campus fleets,
student/employee modal split and programs promoting sustainabletransportation.
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Transportation
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10(t)
10(t)
10(t)

Institution
Ryerson University
Columbia University
University of Washington, Seattle
Dawson College
California State University, San Bernardino
New York University
University of Pennsylvania
McGill University
Emerson College
Macalester College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Victoria

Score
90.3%
89.1%
87.6%
86.8%
86.6%
81.4%
80.6%
80.4%
80.3%
79.7%
79.7%
79.7%

Type
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Associate
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
Baccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoral

Location
Toronto, ON
New York, NY
Seattle, WA
Montreal, QC
San Bernardino, CA
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Montreal, QC
Boston, MASaint Paul, MN
Cambridge, MA
Victoria, BC

Average Scores
50.7%
50.7%
50.7%

All Institutions
All Institutions
375

59.7%
57.2%
56.6%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

49.4%
50.0%
49.9%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325
40.5%
38.7%
37.9%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

52.3%
50.8%
51.3%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

43.8%
44.9%
44.6%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

54.1%
55.6%
55.5%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190
2021

2020

2019

33
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WasteMonica Foster (VP College Services and CFO), Martha MacGowan (Sustainability Technologist) and Amel Muskic (Facilities
Support Assistant) completing a waste audit at NSCC. See Top Performers list on next page. Courtesy of Nova Scotia
Community College.

Waste reduction mitigates the need to extract virgin materials fromthe earth and reduces waste flow to incinerators and landfills that
contaminate air and water, produce greenhouse gas emissions and resultin disproportionate negative impacts on low-income communities. Source
reduction and waste diversion also save institutions costly landfill andhauling costs. Campaigns for waste reduction engage the entire campus
community in contributing to tangible sustainability goals. This section
recognizes waste minimization and reduction construction, waste
diversion and hazardous waste management.
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WasteTop Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Institution
Nova Scotia Community College
Université de Sherbrooke
Thompson Rivers University
University of Texas at San Antonio
Aquinas College
Universite Laval
University of Massachusetts Lowell
University College Cork - National
University of Ireland, Cork
California State University, Fullerton
University of California, Santa Barbara

Score
90.6%
89.5%
87.6%
84.2%
80.1%
79.3%
78.1%
76.6%

Type
Associate
Doctoral
Master’s
DoctoralBaccalaureate
DoctoralDoctoral, Lowell
Doctoral

Location
Halifax, NS
Sherbrooke, QC
Kamloops, BC
San Antonio, TX
Grand Rapids, MI
Québec, QC
MA
Cork, Ireland

76.2%
76.1%

Master’s
DoctoralFullerton, CA
Santa Barbara, CA

Average Scores
46.4%
45.3%
45.3%

All Institutions
All Institutions
375

56.6%
57.2%
55.0%

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41
45.4%
44.2%
44.3%

U.S. Institutions
United States
325

48.4%
47.3%
43.5%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

40.4%
37.5%
38.2%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79
Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

48.1%
47.1%
47.6%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

48.1%
47.9%
48.0%

2021

2020

2019

35
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Water

A rain barrel and rain garden outside of McCabe Hall at American University. See Top Performers list on next page.
Courtesy of American University.

Water conservation and reuse, as well as effective rainwater management
practices, maintain and protect finite groundwater supplies. Pumping,delivering and treating water is also a major driver of energy consumption.
Institutions reduce energy usage and the emissions associated withenergy generation by conserving water. Water conservation and effective
rainwater and wastewater management diminish the need for effluent
discharge into local surface water supplies, which consequently improves
the health of local water ecosystems. This section covers water use
reduction and rainwater management.
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WaterTop Performers
Rank
1(t)
1(t)
1(t)
1(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)
6(t)

Institution
Colorado College
San Francisco State University
University of Connecticut
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
American University
California State University, Northridge
Central New Mexico Community College
Chatham University
Eastern Kentucky University
Gonzaga University
Loyola Marymount University
Muhlenberg College
Northwestern University
Raritan Valley Community College
Stanford University
State University of New York College ofEnvironmental Science and Forestry
Stevens Institute of Technology
Tennessee Technological University
Université de Sherbrooke
Universite Laval
University of California, Riverside
University of Minnesota, Morris
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Score
100%+
100%+
100%+
100%+
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Type
Baccalaureate
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
Associate
Doctoral
Master’s
DoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate
Doctoral
Associate
DoctoralDoctoral

Location
Colorado Springs, CO
San Francisco, CA
Storrs, CT
Baltimore, MD
Washington, DC
Northridge, CA
Albuquerque, NM
Pittsburgh, PA
Richmond, KY
Spokane, WA
Los Angeles, CA
Allentown, PA
Evanston, IL
Branchburg, NJ
Stanford, CA
Syracuse, NY

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralBaccalaureate
Doctoral

Hoboken, NJ
Cookeville, TN
Sherbrooke, QC
Québec, QC
Riverside, CA
Morris, MN
Edinburg, TX

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WaterAverage Scores
All Institutions
375

54.0%
52.0%
51.0%

All Institutions

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

48.3%
49.3%
46.1%

U.S. Institutions
325

55.6%
52.9%
52.1%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

54.5%
51.1%
45.1%

United States

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

44.7%
44.3%
43.6%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

50.5%
46.2%
48.3%
59.6%
59.4%
56.9%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190
2021

2020

2019

Macalester student volunteers stencil signs near storm drains. See Top Performers list on page 43. Courtesy of Macalester College.

38
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Wellbeing & Work

Wellbeing yoga class at the University of Queensland. See Top Performers list on next page. Courtesy of University of
Queensland.

An organization’s character, capacity to perform and achievements are
only as strong as that organization’s community. Colleges and universities
bolster the strength of their communities by promoting the wellbeing of
the campus community and by offering worker benefits, wages and otherforms of assistance that serve to respectfully and ethically compensate
workers. This section recognizes student and employee wellness programsand employee compensation, satisfaction, health and safety.
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Wellbeing & Work
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6(t)
6(t)
8
9
10(t)
10(t)

Institution
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Universite Laval
Stanford University
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Berkeley
Colorado State University
University of California, Riverside
University of Queensland
California State University, Stanislaus
Barnard College
Dawson College

Score
90.0%
89.4%
86.7%
84.3%
84.0%
81.7%
81.7%
81.1%
80.9%
80.7%
80.7%

Type
Doctoral, Lowell
DoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoralDoctoral
Master’s
Baccalaureate
Associate

LocationMA
Québec, QC
Stanford, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Berkeley, CA
Fort Collins, CORiverside, CA
Brisbane, Australia
Turlock, CA
New York, NY
Montreal, QC

Average Scores
47.0%
46.1%
46.4%

All Institutions
All Institutions
375

53.6%
51.2%
51.4%

Canadian Institutions
Canada41
U.S. Institutions
United States
325

45.9%
45.4%
45.4%

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

47.4%
43.8%
45.9%

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

43.4%
45.9%
46.6%

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

46.9%
45.4%
46.3%

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

48.7%
47.0%
46.4%

2021

2020

2019

40
Back to Table of ContentsOverall Top Performers
Highest overall scores among Associate, Baccalaureate, Master’s andDoctoral institutions

Bates College students working in the organic, no-till student garden. Bates College is an Overall Top Performer among
Baccalaureate institutions (see page 43). Photo credit: Phyllis Graber-Jensen

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Associate Colleges
Top Performers*
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Institution
Dawson College
Nova Scotia Community College
Mohawk College
Fleming College
Portland Community College
Raritan Valley Community College
Central Community College
Western Technical College
Lane Community College
Central New Mexico Community College

Score
74.6
71.1
67.5
66.3
63.0
59.7
59.4
58.6
58.5
55.9

Rating
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
SilverSilverSilverSilverSilverSilverLocationMontreal, QC
Halifax, NS
Hamilton, ON
Peterborough, ON
Portland, OR
Branchburg, NJ
Grand Island, NE
La Crosse, WI
Eugene, OR
Albuquerque, NM* Institution type classifications in this and subsequent sections were adapted from the U.S. Carnegie Classification of
Institutions of Higher Education®. See Methodology for details.
Portland Community College students shop for fresh vegetables and honey harvested on campus while visiting PCC’s
Portlandia Farmstandia. Photo credit: Dr. Elaine J. Cole

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Baccalaureate Institutions
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Institution
Colby College
Dickinson College
Keene State College
Sterling College (VT)Macalester College
College of the Atlantic
University of Minnesota, Morris
Bates College
Luther College
Furman University

Score
83.2
80.0
78.1
75.9
74.9
73.3
73.0
72.8
72.2
71.7

Rating
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold

Location
Waterville, ME
Carlisle, PA
Keene, NH
Craftsbury Common, VT
Saint Paul, MN
Bar Harbor, ME
Morris, MN
Lewiston, ME
Decorah, IA
Greenville, SC

The farm at Dickinson College. Photo credit: Dan Loh

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Master’s Institutions
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Institution
Thompson Rivers University
Grand Valley State University
California State University, Northridge
Appalachian State University
California State University, Chico
Florida Gulf Coast University
Humboldt State University
San Jose State University
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
California Polytechnic State University

Score
88.3
74.9
74.3
73.9
73.4
72.9
72.1
71.91
71.86
70.2

Rating
Platinum
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold

Location
Kamloops, BC
Allendale, MI
Northridge, CA
Boone, NC
Chico, CA
Fort Myers, FL
Arcata, CA
San Jose, CA
Oshawa, ON
San Luis Obispo, CA

Tree planting efforts at Florida Gulf Coast University in spring. Courtesy of Florida Gulf Coast University.

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Doctoral Institutions
Top Performers
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Institution
Colorado State University
Stanford University
Arizona State University
University of California, Irvine
University of Connecticut
University of New Hampshire
State University of New York College ofEnvironmental Science and Forestry
Université de Sherbrooke
University of California, Berkeley
Cornell University

Score
88.1
88.0
87.1
86.8
86.01
86.00
85.7

Rating
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum

Location
Fort Collins, CO
Stanford, CA
Tempe, AZ
Irvine, CA
Storrs, CT
Durham, NH
Syracuse, NY

85.5
85.4
85.1

Platinum
Platinum
Platinum

Sherbrooke, QC
Berkeley, CA
Ithaca, NY

Students at the iconic UC Berkeley Sather Gate. University of California, Berkeley earned its first Platinum STARS rating in
2021. Photo credit: Brittany Hosea-Small

45
Back to Table of ContentsOverall Average Scores
All Institutions
All Institutions
375

58.9
58.2
58.0

Canadian Institutions
Canada
41

63.9
63.5
61.8

U.S. Institutions
United States
325

58.4
57.8
57.7

Associate Colleges
Associate
21

52.0
48.9
46.8

Baccalaureate Institutions
Baccalaureate
79

57.2
56.7
57.4

Master’s Institutions
Master's
84

54.7
55.1
55.2

Doctoral Intitutions
Doctoral
190

62.4
62.1
61.5

2021

2020

2019

Humboldt State University recently partnered with the City of Arcata and Tandem Mobility on a newly relaunchedcommunity bike share program. Photo credit: Humboldt State University

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Institutional Highlights
Innovative and high-impact projects, programs and initiatives from STARS
reports submitted in 2020-2021.
Student participating in the R’Garden field harvest at University of California, Riverside. See Institutional Highlight on
page 60. Photo credit: Stan Lim

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Institutional Highlights
Ditching Desktop Printers - A campuswide Managed Print Program at American
University streamlines the print process
and reduces costs associated with energy
usage and waste. Since this initiative
launched in 2018, AU removed andunplugged over 1,000 personal desktop
printers in favor of shared printers. Insteadof print jobs releasing directly to printers,
staff and faculty swipe their AU ID card on
the printer to release the print job. This
reduces paper usage and unclaimed print
jobs. A software package provides datafor pages printed and how much paper
has been saved (i.e. unprinted jobs). As aresult, AU is able to track the number ofpages printed, rather than relying on paper
use data based on purchased reams.

LEED Platinum Ice Arena - The 76,000
square-foot Bentley Arena at Bentley
University recently achieved the UnitedStates Green Building Council’s first LEED
Platinum Certification for a stand-alone ice
arena, making it the most environmentallyfriendly arena in the US. The Arena has
half of the carbon footprint of peerbuildings, due to a combination of highefficiency heating, ventilation and air
conditioning equipment, high efficiency
ice making equipment, a state-of-the-art
heat reclamation loop, smart LED lighting
systems, and a 504 MW rooftop solar array.
The solar array provides the building with
40% of its annual electricity needs. The
Bentley Arena uses 50% less water thanpeers and provides a venue for students to
explore the impacts of various sustainable
technologies on natural resource use andoperating costs.

American University’s Managed Print Program has removed andunplugged more than 1,000 personal printers across campus.
Photo credit: Brian Blair

Bentley Arena, the nation’s first LEED Platinum certified
standalone ice arena. Courtesy of Bentley University.

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Institutional Highlights
Large-Scale Battery Storage - California
State University, Dominguez Hills recently
installed one of the largest behind-themeter battery storage systems in Southern
California, which currently provides
demand response services that net thecampus approximately $80,000 per year insavings on peak demand costs. Consistingof 20 large Tesla battery banks, the storage
system saves money for students, helps
support resiliency for the local power grid,and can be used as a potential battery
storage solution for future renewableenergy projects. CSUDH was also selectedto participate in a Clean Energy Pilot
program, in partnership with Southern
California Edison (SCE) and the California
State University (CSU) and University ofCalifornia (UC) systems.

Parking Structure Certification andSustainable Transportation Support - The
recently-completed Parking Structure
5 (PS5) at California State University,
Sacramento is among the first institutions
to earn a Gold certification in Parksmart,a rating system for parking structuresthat promotes sustainable mobility.
Contributing to the high score is a builtin occupancy-sensor system that alerts
drivers to the number of available parking
spaces via a signboard and on the Sac
State app. Other notable features include
a tire-inflation station, a compound forstoring 100 bikes, 54 electric-vehicle
charging stations, carpool/clean-air
vehicle spaces on multiple floors, and theinfrastructure for a soon-to-be-installed
photovoltaic solar array. Bioswales on the
grounds reduce the amount of potentiallydirty stormwater runoff into the nearby
American River.

Kenny Seeton, central plant/energy manager at CSUDH, stands
among 20 Tesla battery banks. Photo credit: CSUDH Office ofCommunications

Dry well and Park Smart Gold Parking Structure 5 at Sac State.
Photo credit: Sac State Sustainability

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Institutional Highlights
Closed Loop Composting - Central
Michigan University developed a full circle,
closed system composting system withthe help of Dairy Doo. Filled compost bins
are regularly transported to a Morgan’s
Composting, a local Michigan-based
business, and returned to CMU as a custom
fertilizer. Morgan’s takes soil samples
around CMU’s grounds to determine soil
needs, and a custom mix of nutrients andminerals are added to the compost toyield the most useful product. CMU buys
back the converted food waste to utilize
as fertilizer on campus. After 10 years
and with the help of Aramark and Morgan
Composting, the program now composts
over 330 tons of food scraps per year. The
process helps to increase the economic
prosperity in a rural Michigan area while
resolving compost needs through a fullcircle, closed system.
Rooftop Monarch Butterfly Nursery
Project - Dawson College planted over 400
milkweed plants for Monarch butterflies,
recently added to the Endangered
Species List. Flowering native plants werealso planted as a food source for adultmonarchs. Started in 2017, the Rooftop
Monarch Nursery Project is a breeding
enclosure where caterpillars are kept
and protected from parasitic wasps. This
enclosure sits on the gym roof and ismonitored daily by volunteers. Butterflies
are tagged and released in the peace
garden. This project has involved many
classes and staff members and over 50
caterpillar kits are distributed to staff tocare for internally. After three years, wildmonarchs now visit the grounds and arelaying eggs on the milkweed. Montreal’s
Espace pour la Vie has designated Dawson
grounds a Monarch oasis.

Justin Morgan of Morgan’s Composting presents to CMU
students and the Saginaw Chippewa Academy team about theprocesses involved in composting food and yard waste.

Hundreds of monarch butterflies breed and are released on
Dawson College grounds, designated a monarch oasis by the cityof Montreal. Photo credit: Anita Liniker

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Institutional Highlights
Carbon Neutral 2020 - Dickinson College
attained carbon neutrality in 2020,
reaching a goal that was established in2007. Dickinson reduced GHG emissions
by increasing energy efficiency of thecampus, switching from high-carbon
energy sources to low- and zero-carbon
sources and promoting behavior changes.
High impact climate actions at Dickinson
include developing a 3 MW solar field,
transitioning to nearly 100% LED lighting,
improving the efficiency of the centralenergy plant and energy intensive
buildings, replacing older equipment withhigh efficiency alternatives, incorporatingenergy efficient design when renovating
existing buildings and constructing newbuildings, and sourcing electricity fromrenewable energy. Remaining emissions
are mitigated by purchases of certified
carbon offsets that finance emission
reductions by other entities and reduce
Dickinson’s net emissions below zero.
Florida Tech Alumni Center - The Folliard
Alumni House at Florida Institute ofTechnology received a makeover in 2020,
and was re-engineered as a zero-energy
facility. The new center features a host of
renewable energy technologies, including
a solar array, full building automation, an
LED lighting system and electric vehicle
charging stations. The grounds have been
converted and are maintained as a Lagoon
Friendly Lawn that includes native plantsthat reduce water usage and run-off.
Florida Tech alumni, faculty and students
have been involved in the project, fromapplying for the $282,000 Renewable
Energy & Energy Efficiency Technologies
Program grant, to engineering plans,
securing matching donations from
community partners, modeling thebuilding materials and systems andpredicting energy performance during thedesign phase.

Dickinson College achieves carbon neutrality. Photo credit: Joe
O’Neill

Florida Tech’s Folliard Alumni Center. Courtesy of Florida
Institute of Technology.

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Institutional Highlights
Virginia Environmental Justice Summit - George Mason University students, with support fromfaculty advisors, planned and hosted the Virginia Environmental Justice Summit (VEJS) in 2020 and
2021. The summit is a conference to engage undergraduate and graduate students from aroundthe country in multidisciplinary conversations around issues of environmental justice. Activists,organizations and students from an array of disciplines, institutions and communities throughout
Virginia participated in VEJS to exchange ideas, build skills and network. This conference is a
student-run initiative started by the Mason Environmental Justice Alliance at George Mason
University. The planning committee is made up exclusively of undergraduate students with support
from graduate students, faculty and staff. A list of speakers from the previous two summits, agendas
and session recordings are accessible on the Virginia Environmental Justice Summit webpage.
The Kendeda Building - The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Instituteof Technology is the first building in Georgia to earn Living Building Challenge certification. The
Kendeda Building is regenerative, giving back more than it takes from the environment. Over thecourse of a year, it collects and infiltrates into the ground 15 times the amount of water neededfor operations. A photovoltaic system supplies over 200% of the building’s energy needs, with theexcess being exported to adjacent buildings. Sixteen foam flush combined toilets and waterless
urinals were installed that use less water than one typical low-flow toilet. The building is composedof materials screened for common hazardous chemicals known to harm human and environmental
health. A portion of the floor deck was constructed by participants of a workforce development
program for economically disadvantaged Atlanta residents.

Geology class lab inside the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Photo credit: Jonathan Hillyer

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Institutional Highlights
Sustainable Agriculture Project - The Sustainable Agriculture Project at Grand Valley State
University is a four-acre, student operated farm site situated on the south edge of the Allendale
campus. The SAP prioritizes opportunities for students to experience high-impact learning in all
disciplines, through the lens of sustainable agriculture. The SAP has also worked to connect Grand
Rapids high school students to a pathway to postsecondary education through a new community
partnership with the Grand Rapids non-profit organization New City Neighbors. Through thepartnership, GVSU will lend 1 acre of its agricultural land to New City Neighbors, which provides
high school students with job and life skills training. Members from both sides of the partnership
recently built a high-tunnel greenhouse on the farm, which will be used for distribution at six
emergency food sites.
Renewable Heat Plant - Keene State College has transitioned from using No. 6 heating oil in its
central steam plant, to LR-100, a biofuel made from used cooking oil that is certified, carbon neutral
and can generate thermal renewable energy credits. The transition to LR-100 was started in 2016
to determine impacts, and by 2018, all three boilers were running on LR-100 fuel. As a result, KSC
became New Hampshire’s largest generator of thermal renewable energy credits, and its emissions
from the steam plant stack decreased significantly, saving KSC money while cleaning up theregion’s airshed. KSC’s latest greenhouse gas inventory data show a dramatic reduction in Scope 1
emissions as a result of using LR-100 in its plant. Between 2016 and 2019, total emissions dropped
from 57 metric tons of CO2e to about 7 tons of CO2e.

A 30 x 168 ft. Gothic-style hoophouse was erected at Grand Valley State University’s Sustainable Agriculture Project inNovember 2020. Employees from Nifty Hoops, New City Neighbors and volunteers from the Grand Valley community
were on hand to help with the project. Photo credit: Kendra Stanley-Mills

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Institutional Highlights
Kokosing Nature Preserve - The Kokosing
Nature Preserve is the newest “Green
Center” at Kenyon College, serving as aconservation burial ground that is locatedadjacent to the main campus. A project of
the Philander Chase Conservancy, Kenyon
College’s land trust, the preserve offers
a natural burial option on twenty-threeacres of restored prairies and woodlands.
Through this green burial option, thedeceased are placed in shrouds orbiodegradable caskets, typically made ofwood or other natural materials. Graves
can be marked by natural, engravedstones that lie flat and are typically fewer
than three inches above the ground.
The preserve’s grasslands and wetlands
serve as living laboratories for naturalscience studies, while the concept itself
is investigated by classes ranging from
Religious Studies to Women and GenderStudies.
McGill Board of Governors Committee
on Sustainability - In December
2019, the McGill University Board ofGovernors approved the establishmentof the Committee on Sustainability asa standing committee. The Committee
assists the Board in setting and achieving
institutional priorities and goals. It also
monitors progress on major sustainability
initiatives across the University. The
Committee’s functions include: assessing
key performance indicators establishedto support the realization of institutionaltargets and objectives related tosustainability; considering the economic,
environmental and social impacts of theactivities carried out by or on behalf of
the University in order to guide decisionmaking; and undertaking studies on bestpractices relating to sustainability. The
Committee includes membership fromacademic staff, non-academic staff andstudents.

The Kokosing Nature Preserve. Courtesy of Kenyon College.

The McCall MacBain Arts building at McGill University. Photo
credit: Ben Joppke

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Institutional Highlights
L’Anse Community Solar Project - A team ofengineering researchers and students from
Michigan Technological University worked
with local and state partners to bring solar
to the Community of L’Anse, while meetingthe needs of lower income residents. While
many low-to-middle income residents
wanted to participate in solar, the cost of an
installation was beyond their means. The
project team created a concept design that
included estimated costs to subscribers, andseveral community meetings were held toassess price sensitivity and willingness toparticipate. Small grants were approved by
State agencies to assist in the projectand residents were offered an interest
free loan to fund installation. The projectsuccessfully installed 340 panels and had
a 100% subscription rate after six months.
Plans are underway for similar projects inother Michigan communities.
SDG Ambassadors Program - Launchedin 2020 at Mohammed VI Polytechnic
University (UM6P), the Sustainable
Development Ambassadors Program(SDAP) strengthens UM6P’s commitment
to sustainable development and theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
promotes participation in sustainability,
and advances campus sustainability
efforts. Through SDAP, ambassadors fromeach UM6P program or school are trained
about the challenges of sustainable
development. SDAP ambassadors participate
in peer mentoring, engagement, project
development and event management. The
Sustainable Development department
monitors progress and supports theambassadors through monthly meetings
and financial support via a sustainable
development fund. In the first year, theprogram engaged 737 peers, organized 33
actions, and invested 1,369 Hours. SDAP is
now in its 2nd year, with 44 SD Ambassadorsfrom 15 schools and programs.

Jay Meldrum, advisor of the Alternative Energy Enterprise class,helped the class create the initial design concept for the L’Anse
Community Solar Project. Photo credit: Sarah Bird, Michigan Tech

Sustainable Development Ambassadors of the UM6P School of
Agriculture, Fertilizers and Environmental Sciences organized agreen tour. Courtesy of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.

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Institutional Highlights
70-MW Solar PPA- Pennsylvania State University partnered with solar developer Lightsource bp on
a 70-megawatt, off-site, Pennsylvania solar energy project to supply about 25% of the University’selectricity needs over the next 25 years across its 20+ campuses. Project partners have taken
steps to maximize the project’s benefits to the community and ecosystem. These efforts include
using a Nature Conservancy mapping tool to confirm projects are not located on critical wildlife
habitat, planting native pollinator species and the introduction of sheep grazing for natural land
management and shared land use. The project began producing electricity for Penn State in October
2020. It is being used as a living laboratory for student and faculty projects, with student research
project funding, internships with Lightsource bp and outreach opportunities being made available
as part of the terms of the agreement.
Equity in Contracting and Climate Action Planning - Portland Community College put out a request
for quotes in 2019 for Climate Action Planning Services that required integrating diversity, equity
and inclusion throughout the development of a new Climate Action Plan, both through stakeholder
engagement and within the strategies of the plan itself. To support this, a PCC-specific Climate
Action Equity Guide was developed to promote an equitable and inclusive planning process,address systemic racism and ensure that both the impacts of global climate change and benefits
from solutions are equitably distributed through the plan’s goals and strategies. Equity-centeredobjectives of the 2021 Climate Action Plan include requesting vendors to demonstrate theircommitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (in addition to sustainability and climate action); andengaging students through equity-conscious and anti-racist curricular and co-curricular offerings.

A southern view of the Nittany 3 Solar Farm, which supplies about 25 percent of Pennsylvania State University’selectricity needs. Photo credit: Lightsource bp

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Institutional Highlights
Sustainability Mentorship Program The Sustainability Mentorship Programat Portland State University provides
students an opportunity to connect
with career professionals in a variety
of sustainability-related fields for two
academic terms. With the support of a
Sustainability Mentor, students can discuss
their professional goals, gain clarity on
their career interests in the realm ofsustainability, widen their perspective
on workplace dynamics, develop their
networking skills, seek input on resume,cover letter and/or interviewing tips,
and more. The opportunity is open to
current students and professionals withat least three years of experience in asustainability-related field. Participants
commit to investing 1 to 2 hours eachmonth from February to June for mentor
communication through virtual meetings.
Odeyto Indigenous Centre - Seneca
College built and opened a new
indigenous centre at its Newnham Campus
in 2018. Odeyto, the new home of First
Peoples@Seneca, means “the goodjourney” in Anishinaabe. Indigenous
culture influenced various aspects of the
facility, including its canoe-like shapevisible from the outside, and 28 ribs
visible from the inside that represent thefull lunar cycle and a woman’s moon time.
The space was designed by Gow Hastings
Architect and Two Row Architect, a 100%
Indigenous-owned and operated firm on
the Six Nations of the Grand River reservein southern Ontario. Odeyto has remained
a hub of activity since its grand opening,
serving as a teaching space, a place forsharing meals and game nights.

Portland State Mentorship Program kick-off. Courtesy of Portland
State University.

Odeyto Indigenous Centre. Courtesy of Seneca College.

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Institutional Highlights
New York State Center for Sustainable
Materials Management - State Universityof New York College of Environmental
Science and Forestry (ESF) has partneredwith the New York State Department ofEnvironmental Conservation (NYS DEC),
University at Buffalo, and Stony Brook
University to establish the New YorkState Center for Sustainable Materials
Management, based at ESF. Funded by a
$5.75 million grant over five years fromthe NYS DEC, the center will be devoted
to practices in waste reduction, reuse,recycling and composting; and helping
to drive solutions to benefit local andstatewide solid waste management andrecycling. Focus areas include packaging
reduction and product stewardship; closedloop solutions, responsible purchasing;identifying new methods to manage nonrecyclable materials; and more.
Place-Based, Community-Focused
Education - In 2021, Sterling College
launched EcoGather, a higher education
platform designed to advance ecologicalthinking and action as a foundation forbuilding regenerative communities.
EcoGather will upend the traditional online
delivery model of higher education byco-designing courses with communities
around the world as they confront thechallenges of climate change, biodiversity
loss and an extractive globalized economy.
In its initial phase, EcoGather is connecting
five partner communities in Puerto Rico,
India, Bhutan, Colorado and Vermont;
enabling them to compare their strategies,
challenges and successes in building
transformative communities and foodsystems. The platform is designed to turn
traditional “distance learning” into placebased, community-focused educationthat is dedicated to the regenerationof ecosystems, communities and local
economies.

Greenhouse complex at SUNY ESF. Courtesy of State Universityof New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Sterling College’s EcoGather program co-designs courses with
communities for place-based, community-focused education.
Courtesy of Sterling College.

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Institutional Highlights
Inter-System Collaboration for Climate Action Education - In Fall 2019, the University of California(UC) and California State University (CSU) systems collaborated to launch NXTerra, a Knowledge
Action Network and digital platform for climate educators. Focusing on themes of climate change,
critical sustainability and climate justice, NXTerra produces educational materials to empower
teachers, university professors and students to take action in building a more sustainable andenvironmentally just world. The network fosters interaction between the two systems, and makes it
possible for resources to be widely shared. Both educational systems and their respective campuses
have contributed to the project. Contributions to NXTerra have been included in recent STARS
reports for University of California, Davis and University of California, Riverside.
SDG Undergraduate Research Group - Launched Fall 2020 at University of California, Berkeley, the
SDG Undergraduate Research Group (SURG) is affiliated with the campus Office of Sustainability
and guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Inspired by work with the International
Alliance of Research Universities, SURG brings burgeoning researchers together with mentors to
explore an area of sustainability tied to the SDGs. SURG worked with the Office to map Berkeley
courses to the SDGs. The report found that UN SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) is the most-covered SDG
in the curriculum (22% of courses). The Office is publishing a new report based on Berkeley’s latest
sustainability course list for STARS. Findings include UN SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) again the most
covered at 19%, followed by SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth,15%); SDG 3 (Good Healthand Well-being, 9%); and SDG 13 (Climate Action, 8%).

Affiliates of UC Berkeley’s SDG Undergraduate Research Group. Courtesy of University of California, Berkeley.

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Institutional Highlights
The R’Garden - The R’Garden is acommunity garden at University ofCalifornia, Riverside that is committed toincreasing local food access in Riversideand emphasizing the importance of asustainable food system. Its eight acresof row crops, tree orchard and community
plots provide the community withinternship, volunteering and employment
opportunities, along with providing
local and campus food banks with fresh
produce. A key component of the garden
is its solar greenhouses, or “pinkhouses”,
which capture solar energy through an
off-grid, rooftop array, making greenhouse
operation more energy efficient. Despite
recent campus closures due to the COVID
pandemic, the R’Garden food pantry
recently provided groceries to more than
1,200 students, including 400 first-time
visitors.
EV Affordability and Charging
Accessibility - University of California,
San Diego is advancing electric vehicle
charging research, development anddemonstration opportunities. Current
projects include Adaptive LoadManagement, Vehicle-2-Grid, PV-Energy
Storage integrated DC Fast Chargers,
ISO 15118 prototypes and conjoined
DC Fast Chargers. The program supports
the University of California Office of the
President goals of having 50% of all new
light duty fleet vehicle acquisition be ZEVor hybrid by 2025, 4.5% of all commutervehicles be ZEV by 2025 and 5% of CA
agencies be EV-ready at “workplace”
facilities by 2020. UCSD ended 2020 with
250 ports that served commuters, generalpublic and travelers, and over the past
four years has become San Diego County’s
largest multi-purpose hub of EV charging
plazas by delivering 2.5 GWH to over
5,500 unique drivers.

R’Garden field harvest at University of California, Riverside.
Photo credit: Stan Lim

University of California, San Diego leading in EV charging andaffordability. Photo credit: Rhett Miller

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Institutional Highlights
Food Next Door Farm Subscription Program - The Food Next Door Farm Subscription Program at
University of Colorado Colorado Springs was created to support community food security andliteracy. Through the program, a participant buys a subscription for four weeks (renewable after
the first four weeks) and gets a weekly Food Next Door Farm Bag filled with 100% locally sourced
produce, herbs, grain/flour, beans, cheese, eggs and meat from Southern Colorado’s farmers andranchers. The program enhances food literacy by incorporating farm and food literacy talks andrecipes in the weekly food packages. To help address student food insecurity exacerbated due tothe COVID-19 pandemic, participants have the opportunity to help support a student by paying apremium or even covering the cost of a box for a student.
Responsible Investment - Recent actions at University of Guelph have helped to advanceresponsible investment in the university sector. In January 2019, the university committed toreducing the carbon footprint of its endowment fund by 10% over two years. In September 2019,
University of Guelph became a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing,and joined other Canadian universities in signing Investing to Address Climate Change: A Charter for
Canadian Universities. Around that time, the university announced that it had reduced the carbon
intensity of the endowment by 17.5%, from 182.9 tCO2 to 150.8 tCO2. This was achieved throughconsultations with existing fund managers. In April 2020, the University of Guelph, in partnershipwith students, faculty and staff, committed to full divestment of holdings with fossil fuel reserves
within the Endowment Fund.

Sustainability, Wellness & Learning (SWELL) student packing bags at University of Colorado Colorado Springs for the Food
Next Door Farm Subscription Program. Photo credit: Nanna Meyer

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Institutional Highlights
Textile Recycling - Given that clothing
and textiles make up approximately 6.3%of the U.S. waste stream, University ofPittsburgh established a textile recycling
program to help keep textiles in thecircular economy. In January 2020, theUniversity began offering textile recycling
at 19 locations on campus and expanded
to 28 collection locations in 2021. The
program focuses on collecting unusabletextiles, as community members areencouraged to continue to donate usable
items to the on-campus thrift store,
University of Thriftsburgh. The University
sought out a well-established andethical partnering organization to collectunusable textiles. In 2020, despite limitedaccess due to COVID-19-related campus
closures, Pitt diverted 7,866 pounds oftextiles from the landfill via its Textile
Recycling program.
Warwick Solar Farm - The Warwick Solar
Farm at University of Queensland has
been built to produce 100 percent of UQ’s
power needs from its own renewableenergy asset for at least the next 25 years.
Installation of over 204,000 solar panels
was completed in 2019 and became
operational in 2020. The 150-hectaresite will generate about 160,000 MWhof clean energy each year. The Warwick
Solar Farm will facilitate a wide range of
new teaching, research and engagement
opportunities for UQ in addition to its
environmental and financial benefits. In
addition, the site is home for up to 750
sheep that help with grounds maintenancewhile grazing, and 35,000 native treesthat have been planted to provide visual
screening around the site. Also, throughour Bright Futures program, $10,000 inannual scholarships are offered to local
high school students to study at UQ.

Launched in 2020, University of Pittsburgh’s textile recycling
program collects unusable textiles in academic and residential
locations. Photo credit: Aimee Obidzinski

University of Queensland’s 64 MW Warwick Solar Farm powers
UQ to be 100% renewable Photo credit: Sarah Haskmann

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Institutional Highlights
Under-Told Stories Project - Under-Told
Stories is a journalism project at Universityof St. Thomas’ Center for the Common
Good. The project uses high-quality video
storytelling to help students understandand engage with the pressing global
issues of our time. In collaboration with
the PBS NewsHour, these documentaries
are broadcast on one of America’s mostrespected evening news programs.
Under-Told Stories has expanded theeducational impact of its stories throughthe development of learning modules
and educational content published on
their website and the Canvas commonsfor higher education instructors. The
peer-reviewed learning modules address
sustainability topics such as agriculture,
water, waste and pollution; and include
lesson plans and teaching notes. The
Under-Told Stories team is developing
additional resources to help educators use
storytelling in their courses.
Sustainability Integration Program forStudents - The Sustainability Integration
Program for Students (SIPS) at University of
Tasmania links operational sustainability
outcomes with student education andexperience. Through participation in paidinternships and fellowships, classroom
activities, research projects and workintegrated learning placements, students
deliver measurable improvements tocampus experience, operations andinfrastructure. Students can be recognised
for their SIPS contributions through theVice-Chancellor’s Leadership Program. Past
projects included a Sustainability@UTAS
podcast series, sustainability tours, campus
food gardens, food relief programs, energy/
waste audits and incorporating recycling
walls on campus. Since SIPS launched 10
years ago, over 203 sustainability projects
have engaged more than 2,235 students
and 104 staff from multiple departments
across all Tasmanian campuses.

The Under-Told Stories team interviewing a community activist
during the uprising after the murder of George Floyd. Photo
credit: Under-Told Stories Project, University of St. Thomas

Citizen science sustainability at the University of Tasmania.
Courtesy of University of Tasmania.

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Institutional Highlights
Long-term 20MW Geothermal Power Purchase and Rate Tariff Leadership - A Long-term 20MW
Geothermal Power Purchase and Rate Tariff Leadership project began supplying University of
Utah with 20MW of geothermal energy in 2019, resulting in a 23% reduction in the university’s
greenhouse gas emissions. The project included pioneering use of a new rate tariff in Utah throughthe Public Service Commission. The new rate tariff set precedence in Utah for large customers to
be able to choose and negotiate the costs of off-site renewable energy to be delivered throughthe grid. University of Utah recently signed a 25-year solar energy contract that will deliver 20 MWof solar energy to the campus and will help the institution reach 71 percent of total energy fromrenewables.
Joint Degree Program in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders - The Universityof Victoria joint degree program in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders (JD/JID)
is the first in the world of its kind. Students combine intensive study of Canadian Common Law
with intensive engagement with Indigenous laws in order to develop a deep understanding of
Indigenous law and governance. Students spend a full term in the third and fourth years of the
program immersed in community-led field schools, observing the ways in which Indigenous legal
processes are being applied and working with the community on law-related projects. The program
was made possible by the relationships with the Songhees and Esquimalt peoples, on whose lands
the University of Victoria is located, the WSÁNEĆ people, who have long standing connections to
the land, and Indigenous peoples from coast to coast to coast and around the world.

A geothermal plant in Nevada supplies the University of Utah with geothermal energy through a 25-year power purchaseagreement. The contract is a partnership with Utah-based Cyrq Energy and Rocky Mountain Power. Photo credit:
University of Utah

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Institutional Highlights
Memorial for Enslaved Labors and Racial
Equity Goals - A Memorial to Enslaved
Laborers at University of Virginia wascompleted in 2020 by Howeler + Yoon
and the UVA Office of the Architect. The
Memorial seeks to formally acknowledge
the work and the individual lives of theenslaved African Americans who built
and sustained the every-day life of the
University. Scholars estimate that at least
5,000 enslaved African Americans workedon the Grounds between 1817 and lasting
through the end of the Civil War in 1865.
In September 2020, the UVA Board of
Visitors endorsed several goals articulated
by UVA’s Racial Equity Task Force. The
goals include doubling the number ofunderrepresented faculty at UVA by2030, encouraging the development of ascholarship program for the descendants
of enslaved laborers, developing a seriesof educational programs around racial
equity and anti-racism and more.
Pay As You Throw - In Spring 2019, Yale
University launched a Pay As You Throw(PAYT) pilot program. PAYT is a materials
management model where campus
entities are charged for the amount of
trash that they throw away. From inception
to development to implementation, theprogram involved stakeholders fromthroughout the university. The program
tested the impact of three treatment
types: Traditional Charge, Traditional
Charge plus Information and Reputation.
Each of the three treatment groups saw
a decrease in municipal solid waste andan increase in diversion rate. Recycling
increased for both the Traditional Chargeplus Information group and Reputationgroup, but decreased for the Traditional
Charge group, suggesting that there is acorrelation between access to informationand positive behavior change.

University of Virginia Memorial for Enslaved Laborers. Photo
credit: Sanjay Suchak/UVA University Communications

The Pay As You Throw Pilot results at Yale University showed
what would happen if buildings were charged based on theamount they actually threw away. Photo credit: Lauren Gatta

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Methodology
Top Performers
Top Performer scores are based on performance at the time of STARS report submission. All top
performer data presented in this publication reference STARS Version 2.1 and 2.2 reports submitted
between September 6, 2017 and March 5, 2021. Reports submitted after this date are eligible forinclusion in future publications.
Top performers in each impact area were determined based on the percentage of applicable
points earned within the relevant subcategory. Because one of the goals of this publication is toprovide guidance for prospective students, institutions with valid STARS reports that are no longer
operating have been excluded from the lists. For institutions with multiple valid reports, only scoresfrom the most recent reports were considered. Ten institutions were identified in each list except incases where scores were tied, in which case, more were listed. For some impact areas, tiebreaks (+)
were determined based on institutions’ pursuit of Exemplary Practice credits related to that topic.
AASHE staff reviewed all credits within a respective impact area for top-performing institutionsin an effort to ensure that content met credit criteria. Staff requested follow-up for any identified
issues and most institutions addressed them through data revisions or clarifications. Institutions
that did not address identified issues have been excluded from the lists.

Institution TypeFor the section on Overall Top Performers by Institution Type, four classifications (definitions listed
below) were adapted from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education®. U.S.
institutions were classified based on their most recent IPEDS classification. Since very few Tribal
or Special Focus institutions participate in STARS, U.S. institutions with these formal classifications
were placed in the most appropriate of the remaining categories. For institutions outside of the U.S.,
we relied on reported data found under the STARS Institutional Characteristics section.
••••

Associate Colleges - Institutions where all degrees are at the associate’s level, or wherebaccalaureate degrees account for less than 10% of all degrees
Baccalaureate institutions - Colleges and universities where baccalaureate degrees
represent at least 10% of all undergraduate degrees and where fewer than 50 master’s
degrees or 20 doctoral degrees are awarded annually
Master’s institutions - Colleges and universities that award at least 50 master’s degrees andfewer than 20 doctoral degrees annuallyDoctoral Institutions - Institutions that awarded at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral
degrees annually, including doctoral degrees that qualify recipients for entry into
professional practice

Reports from institutions recognized on the Top 10 lists for each institution type were not subject
to the same review process conducted for top-performing institutions by impact area largely due toconstraints of reviewing so many reports in full. The STARS website includes further details about
STARS data quality and reporting assurance.

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Methodology
Institutional Highlights
The Institutional Highlights section recognizes projects and initiatives from institutions that
submitted reports between March 7, 2020 and March 7, 2021 (previous submissions wereconsidered in past SCIs). Initiatives were selected by a team of AASHE staff based on the levelof innovation and overall impact in advancing sustainability, potential for replicability, and theadded impacts this would present. With the release of STARS 2.2, an optional Points of Distinction
credit was introduced that allows institutions to highlight up to three programs, initiatives, or
accomplishments that best reflect their leadership for sustainability. Several highlights and images
provided in this year’s SCI were pulled from the contents of this new credit.

Average Scores
Each section of the SCI includes graphs presenting average scores for all institutions, along with
2021 counts, by country and by institution type. Counts vary slightly between Impact areas due
to credit pursuit and applicability. This content corresponds to the same timeframe that was used
to identify top performers. Average scores from past years were included to allow for longitudinalcomparisons and to highlight possible trends. For institutions that submitted multiple reports overthis three-year period, only score information from their most recent, rated reports was included.

STARS of Data Accuracy
All STARS submissions receive a standard review by AASHE staff that covers approximately one-thirdof all STARS credits, and includes those credits that are most often misinterpreted (reports under aprovisional Platinum rating receive a more comprehensive review). The institutions in this list arerecognized for submitting reports in the last calendar year, between March 7, 2020 and March 7,
2021, with the fewest reviewed credits with issue(s) that required revision or clarification.

FGCU student biking along the lake. See Top Performers list on page 44. Courtesy of Florida Gulf Coast University.

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About STARSSTARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework
for colleges and universities to measure theirsustainability performance. It was developedby the Association for the Advancement of
Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) withbroad participation from the higher education
community. STARS participants submit data toearn a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum rating,or recognition as a STARS Reporter. The credits are organized into
four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations and Planning &Administration. As of March 2021, STARS reports were submitted by over
550 institutions in 14 countries, covering 49 US States, the District ofColumbia and eight Canadian provinces. All reports can be accessed atstars.aashe.org.

Chelsea Schelly and Richelle Winkler (Social Sciences) helped launch the L’Anse Community Solar Project at Michigan
Technological University. See Institutional Highlight on page 55. Photo credit: Sarah Bird, Michigan Tech

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STARS of Data Accuracy
These institutions are recognized for submitting reports between
March 2020 and March 2021 with the fewest data accuracy issues. We
congratulate the STARS liaisons, data providers and others who work toprovide high quality information through STARS.

Institution
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Kent State University
Knox College
University of St. Thomas
Colorado College
Portland State University
Duquesne University
Pennsylvania State University
University of Tasmania
Concordia College - Moorhead
Pratt Institute
University of California, San Diego
University of Florida
Messiah University

RatingSilverBronzeSilver
Gold
Gold
Gold
SilverGold
SilverSilverSilverGold
SilverBronzeAccuracy Rate
100%
100%
100%
100%
97.4%
97.0%
96.3%
95.2%
94.7%
94.6%
93.1%
92.9%
92.6%
92.0%

Location
Geneva, NY
Kent, OH
Galesburg, IL
Saint Paul, MN
Colorado Springs, CO
Portland, OR
Pittsburgh, PA
University Park, PA
Hobart, Australia
Moorhead, MN
Brooklyn, NY
La Jolla, CA
Gainesville, FL
Mechanicsburg, PA

A neighboring farmer grazes over 300 sheep among the solar panels at the Nittany 1 Solar Farm, part of a 70-MW powerpurchase agreement between Pennsylvania State University and Lightsource bp. Photo credit: Lightsource bp

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STARS Ratings
Institutions with valid reports submitted between September 6, 2017 andMarch 5, 2021
Platinum
Arizona State University
Colorado State University
Cornell University
Stanford University
State University of New York College ofEnvironmental Science and Forestry
Thompson Rivers University
Université de Sherbrooke
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Irvine
University of Connecticut
University of New Hampshire

Student conducting aquatic ecosystems research at SUNY ESF, among the newest institutions to earn STARS Platinum. See
Top Performers list on page 45. Courtesy of State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

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STARS Ratings
Gold
Agnes Scott College
American University
Appalachian State University
Babson College
Bard College
Bates College
Belmont University
Bennington College
Binghamton University
Bowdoin College
Bucknell University
California Polytechnic State University
California State University, Channel Islands
California State University, Chico
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, San Marcos
Carnegie Mellon University
Central Michigan University
Chatham University
Clarkson University
Colby College
College of the Atlantic
Colorado College
Columbia University
Connecticut College
Dalhousie University
Dawson College
Denison University
Dickinson College
Emerson College
Emory University
Fanshawe College
Fleming College
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida State University
Furman University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Gonzaga University
Grand Valley State University
Green Mountain College
Hampshire College
HEC Montréal
Humber College
Humboldt State University
Indiana University Bloomington

Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) at the George Mason
University Arboretum, which expands the university’s living lab
offerings. Photo credit: Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Iowa State University
Ithaca College
James Madison University
Keene State College
Lehigh University
Lewis & Clark College

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STARS Ratings
Gold
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University Chicago
Luther College
Macalester College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
McGill University
Miami University
Michigan State University
Mohawk College
Muhlenberg College
New York University
Northern Arizona University
Northland College
Northwestern University
Nova Scotia Community College
Oregon State University
Pennsylvania State University
Polytechnique Montréal
Portland State University
Princeton University
Rice University
Saint Mary’s College of California
San Diego State University
San Jose State University
Santa Clara University
Seattle University
Simon Fraser University
State University of New York at Cortland
Sterling College (VT)Stevens Institute of Technology
Texas A&M University
The American College of Greece
The Ohio State University
The University of Texas at Dallas
Unity College
Universite Laval
University at Albany
University at Buffalo
University of Alberta
University of Arkansas
University of Calgary
University of California, Davis
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Merced
University of California, Riverside
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Santa Barbara

McTavish Street in October at McGill University. Photo credit:
Monica Allaby

University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Dayton

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STARS Ratings
Gold
University of Georgia
University of Guelph
University of Houston
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
University of Louisville
University of Manitoba
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Lowell
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota, Duluth
University of Minnesota, Morris
University of Missouri
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Richmond
University of San Diego
University of South Florida (Tampa)
University of St. Thomas
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
University of Utah
University of Vermont
University of Victoria
University of Virginia
University of Washington, Seattle
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Vassar College
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest University
Warren Wilson College
Washington University in St. Louis
Wellesley College
Wells College
Western University
Wilfrid Laurier University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Yale University

The Under-Told Stories project at University of St. Thomas
highlights the Barefoot College in northern India, which teaches
women skills to bring solar power to their villages. Photo credit:
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STARS Ratings
SilverAmerican University of Sharjah
Amherst College
Antioch College
Aquinas College
Auburn University
Baldwin Wallace University
Ball State University
Barnard College
Bentley University
Black Hills State University
Boise State University
Boston College
Boston University
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Brock University
Bryant University
California State Polytechnic University,
PomonaCalifornia State University, Bakersfield
California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, Stanislaus
Calvin University
Carleton College
Case Western Reserve University
Central Community College
Central New Mexico Community College
Champlain College
City University of New York, John Jay
College of Criminal Justice
Claremont McKenna College
Clemson University
Cleveland State University
College of Charleston
College of Lake County
Concordia College - Moorhead
DE LA SALLE LIPA
Duquesne University
Durham College

Food box distribution at California State University, Stanislaus.
Photo credit: Kristina Stamper

Earlham College
East Carolina University
Eastern Connecticut State University
Ecole de Technologie Superieure
Elon University
Endicott College

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STARS Ratings
SilverEvergreen State College, The
Florida Institute of Technology
George Brown College
Georgia Institute of Technology
Goshen College
Harvey Mudd College
Haverford College
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hope College
Indiana State University
Kenyon College
Knox College
Lafayette College
Lane Community College
Langara College
Lawrence University
Louisiana State University
MacEwan University
Michigan Technological University
Mills College
Missouri State University
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University
Montana State University
Mount Royal University
North Seattle College
Northern Michigan University
Ohio University
Oklahoma State University
Orange County Community College
Pacific University
Pitzer College
Portland Community College
Pratt InstitutePrincipia College
Purchase College - State University of New
York
Radford University
Raritan Valley Community College
Rochester Institute of Technology
Ryerson University
Saint Michael’s College
San Francisco State University
Seattle Central College
Selkirk College

Lane Community College students at the Learning Garden.
Photo credit: Kelly Hardin

Seneca College
Sewanee - The University of the South
Sheridan College (Ontario)
Slippery Rock University
Smith College
Soka University of America

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STARS Ratings
SilverSonoma State University
South Dakota State University
South Seattle College
Southern Illinois University CarbondaleSouthern Oregon University
St. Lawrence University
State University of New York at BrockportState University of New York at Geneseo
State University of New York at New Paltz
State University of New York at OneontaState University of New York at Oswego
Susquehanna University
Swarthmore College
Syracuse University
Temple University
Tennessee Technological University
The New School
Tufts University
Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Universite de Montreal
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Central Florida
University of Denver
University of Florida
University of Idaho
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Iowa
University of Kentucky
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Maine
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts Medical School
University of Montana
University of Mount Union
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton
University of New Brunswick, Saint John
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
University of Notre Dame
University of Ottawa
University of Queensland

University Of New Brunswick, Fredericton Campus. Photo credit:
Rob Blanchard

University of Rochester
University of Saskatchewan
University of Sharjah
University of South Carolina
University of Southern California
University of Tasmania

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STARS Ratings
SilverUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville
University of Texas at San Antonio
University of the Pacific
University of Toronto Mississauga
University of Waterloo
University of West Georgia
University of Winnipeg
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Utah State University
Villanova University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Washington and Lee University
Weber State University
Wesleyan University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Virginia University
Western Colorado University
Western Kentucky University
Western Michigan University
Western Technical College
Western Washington University
Westminster College - Utah
Whitman College
Williams College

University of the Pacific student selecting from the Farm to Forksalad bar. Photo credit: Christian Murillo

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STARS Ratings
BronzeAustin College
Butler University
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Fresno
Cascadia College
Central Washington University
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Creighton University
DePauw University
Drake University
Drexel University
Eastern Kentucky University
Eureka College
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
Georgia College & State University
Houghton College
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois State University
Indiana University South Bend
Kent State University
Lebanon Valley College
Lewis University
Messiah University
Metropolitan Community College
New Mexico State University
Nova Southeastern University
Paul Smith’s College of Arts & Sciences
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Saint Louis University
Santa Rosa Junior College
Siena Heights University
Southern New Hampshire University
Southwestern University
St. Lawrence College
State University of New York at Potsdam
Texas State University, San Marcos
Texas Tech University
Trinity College (CT)
United World College-USA
Universidade Aberta
University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of Delaware
University of Mississippi
University of Montevallo

California State University, East Bay invested in reusable
serviceware for the campus community. Photo credit: Garvin Tso

University of New Haven
University of North Georgia
University of Wyoming
Washtenaw Community College
Whatcom Community College

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STARS Ratings
Reporter
Albion College
Austin Peay State University
Bow Valley College
California College of the Arts
Clark University
Fort Lewis College
Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano
Kalamazoo College
Mount Holyoke College
Northeastern University
Pace University
Randolph College
State University of New York Polytechnic
Institute
Stockton University
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Theological Seminary
Wentworth Institute of Technology

ReThink the Drink water cage and tabling at a Northeastern University Earth Day celebration. Courtesy of Northeastern
University.

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About AASHEAASHE empowers higher education faculty, administrators, staff andstudents to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability
innovation. We work with and for higher education to ensure that ourworld’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability
challenges. Visit aashe.org to learn more.

Monarch butterfly emerges in enclosure on rooftop nursery at Dawson College, Montreal. See Institutional Highlight on
page 50. Courtesy of Dawson College.

2021 Sustainable Campus Index
Released November 5, 2021
© Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
Content, analysis, and design by Monika Urbanski, Senior Manager of Data & Resources, AASHE
Institutional highlights, editing, and other contributions by Lillian Makhoul, STARS & Resources Intern
Edited by Julian Dautremont, AASHE Director of Programs
www.aashe.org • stars@aashe.org

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