Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)
STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) is a comprehensive tool that measures and encourages sustainability in higher education. At the University of Utah, the Sustainability Office oversees the tracking of achievements related to sustainability for STARS reporting.
University of Utah’s STARS Achievements
The University of Utah has been dedicated to incorporating sustainability across its curriculum for over a decade. These efforts have led to the university twice earning a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
STARS Measures Performance in Five Key Areas
Academic Excellence in Sustainability
In 2023, the U scored particularly well in academic categories, demonstrating strong integration of sustainability into the curriculum. This means students are increasingly exposed to courses with sustainability themes and learning outcomes, helping them understand the link between sustainability and their fields of study. These experiences prepare students for success in a complex, interconnected world.
Continuous Improvement
While STARS benchmarks the university’s success, it also highlights areas for improvement as we strive for excellence in sustainability education. We continue to grow partnerships with academic departments across the main and health campuses and expand curricular programming and faculty mentorship.