Keene State College Earns Gold for Sustainability and Celebrates Earth Day
Keene State College earned a STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. A full report is available.
Keene State is committed to the values of sustainability and environmental stewardship, in the classroom and outside of the classroom. The college has committed to 100 percent of the campus being powered by renewables by 2030, running a heat plant that is 100 percent powered by renewables in 2020 (which was met before goal), and being carbon neutral by 2050.
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: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.
“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “Keene State College has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.” Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.
Keene State lives its values in many ways – from being the first college in the United States to heat with recycled vegetable oil, to composting food waste in the Dining Commons to beautify the campus, to employing students to lead the ROCKS program and more. As Earth Day approaches, Keene State is providing opportunities for the college community to give back and celebrate with an Earth Day Celebration on the Student Center lawn, a collaborative clean up event with the city of Keene, and a farmer’s market field trip for students.
About Keene State College:
Keene State College is a preeminent public liberal arts college that ensures student access to world-class academic programs. Integrating academics with real-world application and active community and civic engagement, Keene State College prepares graduates to meet society’s challenges by thinking critically, acting creatively, and serving the greater good. To learn more about Keene State College, visit www.keene.edu.
Keene State College: Wisdom to make a difference.
About AASHE:
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about AASHE, visit www.aashe.org.
For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.
