National group commends DPU's sustainability efforts

DePauw University is the recipient of a STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) Silver rating in recognition of the college's sustainability achievements.

The award from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) represents an upgrade from last year's Bronze designation for DePauw.

STARS measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. AASHE is an association of colleges and universities working to create a sustainable future.

"The mission of DePauw's Sustainability Initiative is to create and sustain a nationally recognized living and learning university community that incorporates our foundational sustainability principles into all facets of campus life," DPU President Brian W. Casey noted in a letter to AASHE accompanying "The completion of the STARS update recognizes the continued work of DePauw to become more sustainable as it challenges us to continuously improve in the future."

The STARS program is the only one of its kind that involves publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university's sustainability performance.

Participants report achievements in three overall areas: Education and research, Operations and Planning, administration and engagement.

More than 600 colleges and universities are now engaged with STARS; DePauw was a charter member of the program, joining in 2009.

"STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts," notes Stephanie Herrera, executive director of AASHE. "DePauw has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver rating and is to be congratulated for its efforts."

The STARS update for DePauw was led by the university's assistant sustainability director Anthony Baratta.