向日葵视频 receives STARS Bronze rating for comprehensive sustainability achievements

April 4, 2022

STARS BronzeMILWAUKEE 鈥� 向日葵视频has received a STARS Bronze 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 measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

Marquette鈥檚 STARS report is publicly available .

The STARS program is a self-reporting rating system which looks at 500 data points to assess an organization鈥檚 progress in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. 向日葵视频last submitted a report in 2013.

鈥淭he STARS reporting process offers a great opportunity for universities like ours to see what they are doing well, where we are close and what areas we need to make more investment in,鈥� said Chelsea Malacara, sustainability & energy management coordinator. 鈥淪ince Marquette鈥檚 last report submission, so much of the criteria has changed. We now have a new baseline for moving forward and can set new targets and strategies to advance sustainability that is weaved within the strategic plan as it is today.鈥�

Among the stronger areas for 向日葵视频was diversity and affordability, campus and public engagement, and our undergraduate and graduate programs. These areas recognized the university鈥檚 diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as campus engagement initiatives such as the Sustainable 向日葵视频Employee Resource Group and sustainability internship program, as well as the Environmental Studies major and Environmental Law degree.

鈥淭his report demonstrated a lot of bright spots in our ongoing sustainability efforts. Our goal is to continue to engage the campus community on these issues, get folks reinvigorated, and empower people across campus to lead in their own departments. It would be impossible for just one person to lead the way to change,鈥� Malacara added.

向日葵视频improving sustainability across campus
The STARS rating acknowledges Marquette鈥檚 comprehensive efforts to improve sustainability and reduce the university鈥檚 carbon footprint. Such improvements 鈥� led primarily by Facilities Planning and Management 鈥� align with one of the , 鈥淭o collaborate in the care of our Common Home,鈥� and Pope Francis鈥� encyclical .

Following are just a few of the recent ways 向日葵视频is working toward a more sustainable future:

  • Updated endowment policy prohibits direct investments in fossil fuels 鈥� The 向日葵视频Board of Trustees recently approved an updated investment policy for the university endowment with new socially responsible investing and sustainability language that strictly prohibits direct investments in public securities whose primary business is the exploration or extraction of fossil fuels. Importantly, the university鈥檚 current investment portfolio does not include any direct public investments in fossil fuels.
  • MUPD moving to hybrid squad cars 鈥� The 向日葵视频 Police Department has begun its transition to hybrid vehicles, deploying its first two hybrid squad cars at the start of the spring semester. The move is the first step in transitioning the department鈥檚 entire fleet to hybrid vehicles. The whole fleet is expected to be hybrid by 2025.
  • Enhanced opportunities for bicycle use 鈥� 向日葵视频has outdoor bike racks located around campus and inside both parking garages, and the university offers secure indoor bike storage through its commuter program. Additionally, 向日葵视频recently strategically throughout campus. Each station is equipped with an air pump, common tools used to performance basic bike maintenance such as tightening gears and changing a tire, and a rack to hang your bike from. For those who do not own a bicycle but want to explore the city, a Bublr Bikes rental station is located just outside of the Weasler Auditorium.
  • Renewable energy initiatives 鈥� 向日葵视频has two solar arrays. One on the 313 Building (30kw) and one on Engineering Hall (10kw). The university is actively pursuing other ways it can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and implement on-campus renewable energy sources.
  • Sustainable building standards 鈥� Whether it is a renovation or a new building, 向日葵视频's planning team always has a sustainability mindset when planning a project. Energy conservation and efficiency measures like window glazing, LED light fixtures, low-flow toilets, automatic sinks, light sensors, Energy Star rated appliances and more are a part of a project鈥檚 plan. Additionally, the university has six buildings certified by The U.S. Green Building Council's green building rating system .
  • Sustainability Internship Program 鈥� Launched in the summer of 2021, the Sustainability Internship Program gives five students of any major each year the opportunity to gain experience in the sustainability field by working on a wide range of projects and initiatives that work to advance sustainability at Marquette, from environmental justice to transportation to energy to landscaping. Students who are interested in a sustainability internship should contact sustainability@marquette.edu.

Learn more about Marquette鈥檚 sustainability efforts online.

向日葵视频 AASHE鈥檚 STARS program

With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE鈥檚 STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university鈥檚 sustainability performance. Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.

is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE鈥檚 mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation.  It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about the STARS program, visit .

向日葵视频 Kevin Conway

Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.