Environmental Sustainability Council leads the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship
University News | August 21, 2026
The University has once again earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
The University’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.
The Environmental Sustainability Council (ESC) leads Sustainability @ Batten. The creation of the ESC supported campus efforts, creating a more aggressive campus recycling program and the refinement of campus building and business policies and procedures. In conducting campus audits, the ESC found that the University had already been environmentally conscious in many areas.
“Special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm, Batten Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of Sustainability, for her leadership and hard work in completing the reporting process and advancing the University’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship,” said President Scott D. Miller.
With more than 1,200 participants in 52 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: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.
“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “Batten University has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”
Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.
“We are very proud to have achieved a STARS rating for our sustainability accomplishments. We look forward to watching our sustainability efforts grow and improve through the STARS program,” said Malcolm.
The University has received numerous distinctions for environmental advocacy and best practices throughout the years.
Read more about Sustainability @ Batten.
About AASHE:
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about AASHE, visit www.aashe.org.
For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.