Carnegie Mellon University recently received gold status from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), surpassing its silver rating in 2015. CMU’s self-reported sustainability performance was evaluated using AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). STARS evaluates institutions in five categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, Planning and Administration, and Innovation and Leadership. The assessment cites several School of Architecture courses and degree programs that contributed to the rating.
SoA assistant teaching professor Nina Baird, co-chair of CMU’s Green Practices Committee, said the assessment measured practices in relation to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
“Those goals cover a broad range of aspirations about doing the best we can to live in this world: to seek social justice, environmental health, economic equity and ongoing personal wellbeing, including quality education and lifelong learning,” said Baird, faculty lead on the assessment project. “So much of what we do on this campus reflects those goals, from the courses we offer and research we do, to the way we support staff, faculty and students, and continually work to improve campus operations.”
Baird thanked the many individuals who were involved in compiling the report.
“Dozens of staff and faculty worked on the assessment itself and it reflects the work of thousands — what we’re already doing to make this place and the world more sustainable. It’s truly a group effort and reflects the strength and quality of Carnegie Mellon,” she said.
The next AASHE evaluation is slated for 2022. “I hope we keep striving so we reach Platinum status on our next review,” Baird said.
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