04/01/2022
By Steven O'Riordan

UMass Lowell has strengthened its standing as the highest-rated campus in Massachusetts for sustainability, according to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

In its latest Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) submission, UMass Lowell received a Gold score of 83.37, which is the third-highest in New England and nearly a six-point jump from its previous submission in 2019.

UML is now less than two points shy of the 85 needed for STARS Platinum — a rating that has been achieved by just 10 institutions in the United States and Canada.

With more than 1,000 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

The university earned the bulk of its points in the categories of curriculum, research, campus engagement and public engagement.

Read more about the latest STARS score.