U-M earns Gold STARS rating for sustainability efforts
View allThe University of Michigan has once again earned a Gold rating through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS, in recognition of universitywide sustainability efforts spanning academics, operations, planning, and community engagement.
STARS, which is administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, or AASHE, is one of the most widely used frameworks for measuring sustainability performance in higher education institutions worldwide.
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The university’s latest submission highlights sustainability-related work across the Ann Arbor campus, including Michigan Medicine, on progress related to renewable energy, campus infrastructure modernization, sustainable food, waste reduction, research, and student engagement.
“This recognition reflects the collaborative work happening across the university to advance sustainability through research, education and community engagement, campus operations and innovation,” President Domenico Grasso said. “From academic programs and student engagement to campus energy transition projects and infrastructure improvements, our university community continues to demonstrate service to communities near and far.”
U-M earned 179 points out of 250 in the latest STARS reporting cycle under AASHE’s updated framework. More than 1,200 institutions in 52 countries participate in the STARS program. U-M first participated in STARS in 2012 and previously earned Gold ratings in 2015, 2018 and 2022.
Because the assessment evaluates sustainability performance across areas including academics, operations, engagement and leadership, institutions must demonstrate coordinated progress across many sectors of the university.
At U-M, that work is supported through collaboration across campuses, schools, colleges, and units, including the Sustainability Leadership Council, launched in 2025 to help align strategy and coordinate action across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses, as well as Michigan Medicine.
“We’ve seen a growing culture of sustainability across the university over time, from academics and research to operations and student engagement,” said Drew Horning, interim director of Graham Sustainability Institute. “The STARS framework helps reflect the breadth of that work and the strong collaboration happening across the institution.”
Among the efforts highlighted in U-M’s submission were sustainability-focused academic and research programs, community partnerships, student engagement initiatives, and operational efforts connected to long-term campus planning and infrastructure modernization.
Examples included the Maize Rays initiative, which expands renewable electricity both on campus and across Michigan, geoexchange deployment, and waste-reduction efforts connected to student move-out, zero-waste events, and composting.
The submission also highlighted programs designed to strengthen sustainability awareness, participation, and culture across the university community, including Planet Blue Ambassadors, Sustainable Workplace, and educational experiences connected to the Campus Farm and Farm Stand.
In addition, the report highlighted the university’s growing use of campus operations as a learning environment, connecting students, faculty, and staff with real-world sustainability work through initiatives tied to energy systems, waste reduction, sustainable food efforts, and programs such as the Campus Farm, Farm Stand, and Planet Blue Ambassadors.
In addition to participating in STARS, U-M collaborates with peer institutions and higher education networks through AASHE and other partnerships to share sustainability strategies and leading practices across academics, operations, and campus engagement.
Several university initiatives also recently received national recognition through the 2026 AASHE Sustainability Awards. The Lab Swap Shop, Maize and Blue Cupboard, and Returnable Shelves programs were recognized as Outstanding Case Studies for efforts related to waste reduction, reuse, and student support.