Clarkson University has received a gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (AASHE STARS) program for its socially responsible investment in sustainability education and research.
The rating puts Clarkson in the top one-third of campuses across the globe that self-reported on sustainability programs to the organization.
The AASHE STARS report indicates that sustainability is a high priority at Clarkson. The University has a long history of providing classes, projects and degree programs directly related to the environment and sustainability, and a concerted effort is being made to improve the culture of sustainability on campus through student engagement and operations.
Susan E. Powers, the Spence Professor in Sustainable Environmental Systems and interim director of Clarkson's Institute for a Sustainable Environment, said the role of the Institute is to encourage and support departments across campus to be sustainable. She said the gold rating is a testament to the education and research strengths throughout Clarkson.
"It really takes a cross-campus effort to achieve this," Powers said. "It's not just a few people in one office. It's the efforts of the whole community. We have substantial programs and commitments that support applying sustainability concepts in courses, in our financial considerations and energy systems."
Clarkson also has been named a "leader" in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) Campus Challenge. This honor recognizes Clarkson's dedication to advancing clean energy on campus, in the classroom and in the community.
REV Campus Challenge leaders demonstrate comprehensive campus clean energy investments, embrace clean energy research and development and curricula efforts at their institution, and are looking to increase engagement engage further with their communities.
