Stony Brook University has been awarded a STARS 3.0 Silver rating for its sustainability efforts by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is designed to measure and encourage sustainability across higher education institutions.
The achievement was made possible through collaboration across various departments, led by the Office of Sustainability. Bill Herrmann, Vice President for Facilities & Services and Chief Sustainability Officer, acknowledged the teamwork involved in earning this recognition. He stated: “Achieving the STARS Silver rating is a powerful reflection of Stony Brook’s enduring commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of our campus. This milestone would not have been possible without the leadership of Tom Lanzilotta, Assistant Director of Energy and Sustainability and Erin Kluge, Sustainability Coordinator within the Office of Sustainability, whose dedication was instrumental throughout the process."
Herrmann expressed gratitude to all contributors who provided data and support for the assessment. The information from this report will guide future strategic planning at Stony Brook University.
The STARS Report evaluates campus sustainability comprehensively through five key areas. These categories allow universities to showcase their unique approaches to incorporating sustainability on their campuses.
Tom Lanzilotta highlighted the importance of collaboration in completing the AASHE STARS sustainability report: “The successful completion of our AASHE STARS sustainability report exemplifies the power of collaboration across our campus. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of departments and individuals from every corner of the university." He also commended Erin Kluge for her role in managing coordination and data collection with professionalism.
Looking ahead, Stony Brook plans projects such as constructing solar PV arrays on campus to enhance its sustainability performance further. These initiatives aim to contribute positively to future STARS Reports.
For more details on Stony Brook University's efforts or access to their full report, visit their scorecard or check out updates on SBU's Office of Sustainability website.