CSUSM Achieves STARS Gold Rating for Sustainability

Cal State San Marcos recently achieved STARS gold status in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS is short for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, which measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

The self-assessment system, which includes more than 900 participants in 40 countries, measures and encourages stability in aspects of higher education. Participants are rated in the areas of academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

“STARS is the most comprehensive benchmarking and rating tool for sustainability in higher education institutions,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM’s director of sustainability and climate justice. “Thus, this report validates and showcases areas within sustainability we are doing really well and opportunities for growth.

"It truly is a campus-wide effort since our reporting covers academics, engagement, leadership, innovation and operations. As we continue to move the needle on sustainability at CSUSM, we will be rolling out a ‘pathway to platinum’ that will showcase our opportunities to further integrate sustainability into the fabric of our campus.”

The STARS program is designed to build a stronger, more diverse campus sustainability community, facilitate information sharing about higher education sustainability practices and performance, and provide incentives for continual improvement for sustainability. 

AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Its mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314