San Diego, CA – The University of San Diego (USD) has earned a STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS stands for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, which measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
USD’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website: https://reports.aashe.org/institutions/university-of-san-diego-ca/report/2024-10-22/
With a score of 65.07 in its most recent submission, USD continues to demonstrate a long-standing commitment to sustainability through academic initiatives, operational improvements, and student engagement. This marks a decade of consistent Gold ratings; the university first achieved the distinction in 2014. The ultimate goal is to receive a Platinum rating, the highest achievement on the STARS scale.
“The University of San Diego is proud to receive a STARS Gold rating in recognition of our ongoing efforts to create a greener, more resilient campus,” said John Alejandro, Director of Sustainability at USD. “Sustainability is not just a goal for us, it’s a responsibility we embrace through education, research and action.”
Despite continued high marks in the intervening years, USD has significantly enhanced its sustainability governance structure since 2014. While limited in scope a decade ago, these evaluations now provide a clearer picture of community attitudes and behaviors, helping guide future engagement efforts. USD has continued to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, reducing overall energy consumption while expanding sustainable infrastructure.
Water conservation efforts have significantly evolved as well. What began as campus-wide reduction initiatives has grown into advanced conservation strategies and infrastructure upgrades, resulting in measurable reductions in water use.
Academic offerings have also expanded dramatically between 2014 and 2024. The university now features several new sustainability-focused programs, such as:
USD has also broadened experiential learning opportunities. The Coral Reefs and Climate Change (EOSC 494) course includes a week-long field trip to San Salvador, Bahamas, giving students hands-on experience in environmental science. A total of nine degree programs now include sustainability as a core learning outcome — ensuring that graduates leave with vital competencies to tackle environmental challenges.
With more than 1,200 participating institutions across 52 countries, STARS is the most widely recognized framework for publicly reporting comprehensive sustainability performance in higher education. Institutions self-report achievements in four key categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations and Planning & Administration, with additional recognition for Innovation & 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. “USD has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”
Unlike other ranking or rating systems, STARS is a self-assessment framework that enables institutions to track sustainability progress using transparent and publicly accessible criteria. Ratings are based on total performance across all categories, allowing for both internal benchmarking and comparisons with peer institutions.
“This milestone inspires us to push further in reducing our environmental impact, fostering sustainable practices and empowering the next generation of changemakers,” said Mr. Alejandro. “We look forward to building on this progress and continuing to integrate sustainability into every aspect of campus life.”
About USD
The University of San Diego (USD) is a private, Catholic institution dedicated to academic excellence, ethical leadership and social responsibility. In its ongoing commitment to sustainability, USD has implemented a Climate Action Plan, invested in renewable energy and water conservation and integrated sustainability across its curriculum and research efforts. The university’s Office of Sustainability leads initiatives in energy efficiency, waste reduction and community engagement, while the Changemaker Hub empowers students to drive sustainable solutions in their everyday lives. Through these efforts, USD continues to be a leader in environmental stewardship and social impact.
About AASHE
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities 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.