UNH's STARS Platinum status is highlighted on a Main Street banner that hung in 2017, when the university first achieved the recognition. UNH earned that highest rating yet again this year, marking the third consecutive time it has done so.
The University of New Hampshire has once again received recognition for its ongoing and increasing sustainability achievements by earning a platinum rating — the highest possible — under the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System). UNH is currently one of only eight higher education institutions in the country to hold platinum status and the only university in New England.
“Today we celebrate the efforts of our entire campus community — faculty, staff and students — to reflect UNH’s values and commitment to making a positive difference today, and for the future,” says Fiona Wilson, UNH’s chief sustainability officer. “We participate in STARS to hold ourselves accountable and transparently assess our strengths and shortfalls — from how we operate our campus, develop and deliver curriculum, conduct research and engage with our communities. Achieving platinum time and time again means our community is not just talking about sustainability — we’re taking action, tackling and solving real challenges.”
With the oldest sustainability institute of its kind, UNH has consistently achieved platinum status since 2017. Achieving platinum status requires a score of 85% or higher in STARS' rigorous assessment, which happens every three years.
“Sustainability is a core priority of UNH. It is one of our top research strengths, vital to our educational programming and informs every aspect of our daily operations,” says UNH President Elizabeth Chilton. “It helps drive our success and impact as a university.”
Some highlights of UNH’s sustainability achievements include:
- UNH offers students courses related to sustainability in 90% of departments as well as a dual major in sustainability unique in higher education.
- Over one third of students graduate from majors with sustainability learning outcomes.
- 32% of UNH researchers are doing sustainability-related research across 84% of UNH’s academic departments.
- All UNH dining halls achieved a four-star rating from the Green Restaurant Association; UNH Catering and the Dairy Bar each earned three-star status.
- Recently installed a thermal energy storage tank which has significant financial benefits and pollution reductions.
- Over one-third of UNH students volunteer and contributed more than 300,000 service hours to help strengthen and improve local communities.
- 64% of UNH’s endowment investments are in highly exemplary sustainability investments.
In a 2023 survey, 48% of UNH students "strongly agreed or agreed" that UNH’s national excellence in sustainability was a factor in their decision to attend UNH and 94% of staff and faculty reported that sustainability was "very or somewhat" important to them. The UNH community cares about and is proud to help build resilient communities in the Granite State and beyond, lending expertise and capacity through collaborative sustainability initiatives, programs, research and practices.
Learn more: UNH 2024 STARS Platinum Highlights
