JMU sustainability achievements earn gold

For the first time, James Madison University has earned a gold rating for its comprehensive sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. 

The rating is based on a framework — the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System — for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. The framework addresses the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability. JMU submitted its latest report in December. The university also submitted reports in 2013 and 2017, and received silver ratings. 

More than 100 people at JMU participated in the STARS process, including representatives from areas such as facilities management, academic affairs, human resources/talent development, community service-learning, the health center, financial aid, risk management, access and inclusion, institutional research, and engagement. 

Christie-Joy Hartman, executive director of the JMU Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability and an associate professor of integrated science and technology, said participating in STARS "allows us to consider best practices, compare our sustainability performance to that of other institutions, gain recognition for our sustainability efforts and engage our community in building a culture of sustainability." 

Abram Kaufman, facilities management energy conservation and sustainability manager, who facilitates and tracks many FM sustainability activities, said, “STARS has been an excellent tool for us to benchmark our facilities sustainability performance and we are excited to document our progress in expanding these efforts in the latest report.”

JMU is one of 303 institutions around the world to have a valid STARS rating. The ratings are valid for three years, but institutions can update their reports annually. 

STARS incorporates data accuracy processes that protect the credibility of the program and provide a fair and transparent means for resolving questions about the accuracy of reported data. In 2017, AASHE commented, "James Madison had the most accurate report during the latest calendar year, with a single minor issue identified by AASHE staff that was promptly addressed." 

JMU’s latest report can be found here: https://reports.aashe.org/institutions/james-madison-university-va/report/2018-12-21/

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