JMU earns STARS gold rating for sustainability performance

James Madison University has received 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, is a transparent, self-reporting framework that measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. 

Each institution participating in STARS collects information about its performance in the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability and documents the data and analyses in an online reporting tool. The resulting STARS report and rating are valid for three years. This is the fifth time JMU has submitted a STARS report, and it is the second time that the university has achieved a gold rating.

The JMU Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World (ISNW), which coordinates the collaborative efforts of the university for environmental stewardship and sustainability, assembled JMU’s STARS submission in cooperation with over 100 JMU employees. Christie-Joy Hartman, executive director of the ISNW and professor of integrated science and technology, said, “JMU’s STARS participation enhances transparency, discussion, and continuous improvement of JMU’s sustainability efforts in the areas of teaching, research, engagement, and operations.”

Facilities Management personnel led reporting on shared sustainability efforts in operations, such as biodiversity, rainwater management, and waste minimization. Abram Kaufman, facilities management energy conservation and sustainability manager, who facilitates and tracks many JMU operations-related sustainability activities, said, “STARS continues to be a useful tool for us to benchmark our facilities sustainability performance.”

AASHE’s STARS program has more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries.

JMU’s STARS reports, which began in 2013, are publicly available on the STARS website.