The University received a STARS Bronze rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

STARS, also known as the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, defines sustainability as “a pluralistic and inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations.” Fresno State achieved 32% of the STARS criteria achievements in five overall areas — including academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership — surpassing the minimum of 25% to achieve Bronze status. The full interactive STARS report is available here.

“We are very proud that Fresno State has achieved a STARS rating for our sustainability accomplishments. I’m excited that the STARS program, the United Nations Global Compact, and the Climate Action Taskforce will seek holistic approaches to making Fresno State a model campus for sustainability,” said Interim President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.

In response to a CSU system-wide sustainability policy, a student-led Sustainability Taskforce, in August 2019, began collecting, analyzing and entering campus information into the STARS framework, which measures and advances sustainability in all aspects of higher education. The taskforce submitted the campus’s first STARS report in August 2020, earning Bronze status in November 2020 — just one year after the Associated Students, Inc. approved an additional senator position.

The Sustainability Taskforce is composed of students from the Sustainability Club and Geology Club as well as ASI Sustainability Senator Jason Vang, SEI Climate Corps Fellow Marissa Acosta and faculty adviser Dr. Beth Weinman. The taskforce is working collaboratively to gather additional data in the categories of operations, planning and administration, with the goal of achieving Silver status by 2022 and Gold status by 2025 to align with the goals set forth by the CSU Chancellor’s Office.

With continued support from Interim President Jiménez-Sandoval and Vice President Debbie Adishian-Astone, the student-led Sustainability Taskforce plans on integrating sustainability into all facets of the University, including academics, facilities and administration. They are also working on coordinating efforts with other sustainability initiatives and committees including the Academic Senate, ASI, the United Nations Global Compact Steering Committee and the newly formed Academic Senate Climate Action Taskforce.

All members of the campus community are encouraged to participate in sharing relevant data so we may encompass all sustainability related efforts.

If you have campus information or data that has yet to be reported, or want more information on campus sustainability efforts, please reach out to Dr. Beth Weinman bweinman@csufresno.edu or Suzanne Shaw suzannes@csufresno.edu.