The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recently awarded DU with a silver rating in their Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). This rating was received in mid-April. AASHE STARS provides a comprehensive look at many aspects of colleges and universities to give credit and recognition to schools with high standards of sustainability efforts and performance.

The current goal of the STARS program is to provide an incentive for successful sustainability, to build strong and diverse sustainable communities, to share information about sustainability practices and to collect data and framework for overall sustainability in higher education. DU is one of 755 institutions participating in AASHE STARS—of those recently rated, 137 were silver, 93 were gold and one was platinum.

The STARS analysis is organized into four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations and Planning and Administration. This means that STARS examined aspects of DU like waste, grounds, buildings, diversity, affordability and innovation. DU was praised for programs and practices like supplying bike racks, encouraging alternative transportation, offering coursework regarding sustainability and utilizing sustainable food options.

Any school can apply to track and manage sustainability data and be recognized by STARS. The rating scale runs from bronze to platinum. DU’s silver rating is a result of sustainability efforts from the 2014 fiscal year, and, with feedback, the university hopes to improve results for the 2016 fiscal year.