91制片厂 Earns Highest National Rating for Sustainability for Third Consecutive Time
91制片厂's STARS Platinum status is highlighted on a Main Street banner that hung in 2017, when the university first achieved the recognition. 91制片厂 earned that highest rating yet again this year, marking the third consecutive time it has done so.
The 91制片厂 has once again received recognition for its ongoing and increasing sustainability achievements by earning a platinum rating 鈥 the highest possible 鈥 under the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education鈥檚 STARS (). 91制片厂 is currently one of only eight higher education institutions in the country to hold platinum status and the only university in New England.
鈥淭oday we celebrate the efforts of our entire campus community 鈥 faculty, staff and students 鈥 to reflect 91制片厂鈥檚 values and commitment to making a positive difference today, and for the future,鈥 says Fiona Wilson, 91制片厂鈥檚 chief sustainability officer. 鈥淲e participate in STARS to hold ourselves accountable and transparently assess our strengths and shortfalls 鈥 from how we operate our campus, develop and deliver curriculum, conduct research and engage with our communities. Achieving platinum time and time again means our community is not just talking about sustainability 鈥 we鈥檙e taking action, tackling and solving real challenges.鈥
With the oldest sustainability institute of its kind, 91制片厂 has consistently achieved platinum status since 2017. Achieving platinum status requires a score of 85% or higher in STARS' rigorous assessment, which happens every three years.
鈥淪ustainability is a core priority of 91制片厂. It is one of our top research strengths, vital to our educational programming and informs every aspect of our daily operations,鈥 says 91制片厂 President Elizabeth Chilton. 鈥淚t helps drive our success and impact as a university.鈥
Some highlights of 91制片厂鈥檚 sustainability achievements include:
- 91制片厂 offers students courses related to sustainability in 90% of departments as well as a dual major in sustainability unique in higher education.
- Over one third of students graduate from majors with sustainability learning outcomes.
- 32% of 91制片厂 researchers are doing sustainability-related research across 84% of 91制片厂鈥檚 academic departments.
- All 91制片厂 dining halls achieved a four-star rating from the Green Restaurant Association; 91制片厂 Catering and the Dairy Bar each earned three-star status.
- Recently installed a thermal energy storage tank which has significant financial benefits and pollution reductions.
- Over one-third of 91制片厂 students volunteer and contributed more than 300,000 service hours to help strengthen and improve local communities.
- 64% of 91制片厂鈥檚 endowment investments are in highly exemplary sustainability investments.
In a 2023 survey, 48% of 91制片厂 students "strongly agreed or agreed" that 91制片厂鈥檚 national excellence in sustainability was a factor in their decision to attend 91制片厂 and 94% of staff and faculty reported that sustainability was "very or somewhat" important to them. The 91制片厂 community cares about and is proud to help build resilient communities in the Granite State and beyond, lending expertise and capacity through collaborative sustainability initiatives, programs, research and practices.
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