26
February
2021
|
08:30 AM
America/Los_Angeles

University Earns Gold for Sustainability Achievements

Cal State San Marcos has earned a STARS Gold Rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

STARS is the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System that measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. CSUSM’s report is available on the STARS website.

“This is a true testament to our whole community working together to integrate sustainability into the fabric of our campus,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM’s sustainability manager. “Obviously, COVID has thrown us for a loop, but now more than ever, it is important for us to become a more sustainable and resilient campus and utilize new ways of thinking and doing to ensure CSUSM continues to lead for many years to come.”

With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

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

CSUSM received a STARS Silver Rating after completing its first assessment in 2017.

“Over the past few years, I have focused on areas where we can grow the sustainability program and align our efforts with our CSUSM Sustainability Master Plan, our campus strategic plan and our CSU mission, vision and values,” Goodlaw-Morris said. “I am happy to say that, over the past three years, we have developed new programming, improved in areas such as campus engagement and are a leading campus connecting sustainability with our diversity and equity efforts under the inclusive sustainability initiative.

“In addition, faculty conducting research related to sustainability has increased, and we truly are creating new and innovative solutions to solve some of the biggest challenges we currently face locally and globally.”

All CSU campuses are required to use STARS as a reporting tool for the Chancellor’s Office, which shares the reports with the Board of Trustees. CSUSM is one of eight CSUs to receive a gold rating.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314