Awards
2021: 24th on Sierra Club Cool Schools Ranking
UMass Lowell maintained its high ranking in Sierra magazine’s 15th annual Cool Schools ranking of North America’s greenest colleges and universities.
2020: UMass Lowell Named Innovator of the Year for Waste Management
UMass Lowell was named “Innovator of the Year” at the Casella Sustainability Leadership Awards for the new and creative ways that the university sustains resources and diverts waste destined for landfills.
2020: 16th on Sierra Club Cool Schools Ranking
UMass Lowell placed 16th on this year’s list of North America’s greenest colleges and universities.
2019: Green School – Princeton Review
UMass Lowell is rated in the top schools for sustainability out of over 2000 that The Princeton Review considered. The objective of this review was to analyze for an enhanced student experience through academics and green campus initiatives.
2019: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Leading by Example Award
The commonwealth of Massachusetts recognized UMass Lowell for its sustainability efforts across campus with a 2019 Leading by Example Award.
2019: AASHE Sustainable Campus Index Top Performer
UMass Lowell was recognized as a top performer for its campus sustainability program in the 2019 Sustainable Campus Index.
2019: 28th on Sierra Club Cool Schools Ranking
UMass Lowell jumped maintained its high ranking in Sierra magazine’s 13th annual Cool Schools ranking of North America’s greenest colleges and universities.
2019: AASHE STARS Gold Rating – Highest Ranked Campus in Massachusetts
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. It is used by colleges and universities internationally and is the premiere tool for benchmarking sustainability at higher education institutions across the world.
2018: Green School – Princeton Review
UMass Lowell is rated in the top schools for sustainability out of over 2000 that The Princeton Review considered. The objective of this review was to analyze for an enhanced student experience through academics and green campus initiatives.
2018: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Food Recovery Challenge Winner
The Food Recovery Challenge encourages grocers, restaurants, educational institutions and sports and entertainment venues across the country to prevent and reduce waste.
2018: 22nd on Sierra Club Cool Schools Ranking
UMass Lowell jumped more than 100 spots — to No. 22 — in Sierra magazine’s 12th annual Cool Schools ranking of North America’s greenest colleges and universities.
2018: City of Lowell Green Building Design Award: Pulichino Tong Business Center
The LEED Gold-certified Pulichino Tong Business Building received the Green Design Award from the City of Lowell as part of its annual Sustainable Lowell Awards.
2017: Green School – Princeton Review
UMass Lowell is rated in the top schools for sustainability out of over 2000 that The Princeton Review considered. The objective of this review was to analyze for an enhanced student experience through academics and green campus initiatives.
2017: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Food Recovery Challenge Winner
The Food Recovery Challenge encourages grocers, restaurants, educational institutions and sports and entertainment venues across the country to prevent and reduce waste.
2016: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Food Recovery Challenge Winner
The Food Recovery Challenge encourages grocers, restaurants, educational institutions and sports and entertainment venues across the country to prevent and reduce waste.
Leading by Example - Institution Award - University of Massachusetts System - 2016
The Leading by Example Awards recognize outstanding efforts among public higher education institutions that have established and implemented policies and programs resulting in significant and demonstrable energy and environmental benefits. The University of Massachusetts five campuses were recognized for their continued commitment to the Leading By Example program and collective partnership efforts around sustainability, energy efficiency, and carbon neutrality.
Crossroads Cafe 3-Star Certified Green Restaurant - 2016
Crossroads Cafe has achieved a 3-star rating for green dining practices. The criteria was evaluated based on recycling, composting, energy and water usage, waste disposal, chemicals, quality of food, building structure, annual education, and training.
AASHE STARS Gold Institution - 2016
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. It is used by colleges and universities internationally and is the premiere tool for benchmarking sustainability at higher education institutions across the world.
McGauvran Dining Commons 3-Star Certified Green Restaurant - 2016
The McGauvran Dining Commons has achieved a 3-star rating for green dining practices. The criteria was evaluated based on recycling, composting, energy and water usage, waste disposal, chemicals, quality of food, building structure, annual education, and training.
Sierra Magazines “Cool Schools” Ranking - 2016
Sierra magazine rates their cool schools on a variety of criteria, including, but not limited to: academics, engagement, planning and administration, and innovation.
Green School – Princeton Review - 2016
UMass Lowell is rated in the top 353 schools for sustainability out of over 2000 that The Princeton Review considered. The objective of this review was to analyze for an enhanced student experience through academics and green campus initiatives.
Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards *Finalist* - 2016 and 2015
Second Nature offers these awards in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Center for Green Schools. Another highlighted criteria for the award, is student preparedness with relation to sustainability and climate action.
White House Champions of Change – Climate Education and Literacy - 2015
The White House Champions of Change award goes to individuals or organizations that do extraordinary acts to benefit their community or local environment.
Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance – UMass Lowell Climate Action Plan Steering committee - 2015
The UMass Lowell Climate Action Plan Steering Committee developed and implemented strategies and actions to enrich and retain sustainable practices throughout the University. The main objective is using political strategies to allocate funding towards the continuation of sustainable advancements.
MassRecycle Recycling Award: Institution Category - 2015
After beginning single‐stream recycling in 2008, despite enrollment increases and a 55% increase in gross square footage, UMass Lowell decreased solid waste by 46%, and increased their total diversion rate by 29%. Many other efforts including compost and donated goods were evaluated when determining the award recipient.
Spotlight Award –Bike Programs - 2015
The spotlight award is an honor to receive, as it rewards exemplary practices, and leadership. Specifically, for this award it was given for the efforts in motivating, and creating options for employees to use sustainable transportation.
Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance to the UMass Lowell Strategic Energy Committee - 2015
The UMass Lowell Strategic Energy Committee is responsible for significant savings in cost of energy as well as energy expenditure. The award for their impressive work is a small prize compared to the tremendous impact on the local environment and long term cost savings.
Greenovate Boston Award - 2015
The Greenovate Boston Awards recognize outstanding achievement in climate action and environmental sustainability in the Boston community.
Insight into Diversity Award - 2015
An integral foundation of sustainability is a community involvement. The leadership that guides UMass Lowell has ensured the University has a dynamic and inclusive environment, which gives back to the community in the form of scholarships. The action plans that were implemented also enable a wider cultural diversity to be present on Campus.
Pinnacle Award – Excellence in Commuter Options - 2013-2015
The Pinnacle Award is the highest possible award in its category. The award is received when there is a detailed, diverse commuter plan, involving a variety of options available to employees and students affordably.
Leading by Example Personnel Award (Paul Piraino) - 2013
Paul Piraino’s efforts in sustainable actions continue to save the University over one million dollars per year, through significant advances in energy efficiency, and energy focused projects. His title of Energy Sustainability Manager was well deserved.
Leading by example- Institution award - 2012
The Leading by Example Awards recognize outstanding efforts among public higher education institutions that have established and implemented policies and programs resulting in significant and demonstrable energy and environmental benefits
Tree Campus USA 2010-2016
Tree Campus USA recognizes college and university campuses that effectively manage their trees, develop connectivity with the community to foster healthy, urban forests, and strive to engage their student population utilizing service learning opportunities.
Presidents Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll - 2010-2014
UMass Lowell’s commitment to community engagement and service puts it among the top institutions in the United States, according to a new national ranking. UMass Lowell was chosen for the honor roll in the general community service, education and economic engagement categories.