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EUGENE, Ore. — ����Vlog�ٷ� (LCC) has once again earned a STARS Silver rating for its sustainability achievements from the (AASHE). The STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) program measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

“We are very proud to have achieved a STARS Silver rating for our sustainability performance,” said LCC Sustainability Coordinator Luis Maggiori. “Sustainability is a core value at ����Vlog�ٷ�, and this achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to reducing our environmental impact and promoting a culture of sustainability throughout the college.”

����Vlog�ٷ�’s commitment to sustainability is longstanding. In 2011, the Board of Education adopted a collegewide pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, encompassing greenhouse gas emissions from scopes 1, 2, and 3. Since then, the college has updated its Climate Action Plan to version 2.0 and is in the process of further updates, ensuring continuous progress and adaptation toward this ambitious goal.

The STARS assessment process has been an educational and collaborative experience for students, faculty, and staff at LCC. “The STARS rating system provides us with reliable metrics to benchmark our overall sustainability performance and track progress in areas that go beyond carbon emissions,” Maggiori explained. “This process doesn't end here. We plan to submit assessment reports every three years with the goal of continuously improving our score and ultimately aim for a Platinum rating.”

LCC’s sustainability initiatives have been further supported by the 2020 bond measure, which provides funding for major campus renovations. “Thanks to the bond, we have the opportunity to significantly improve the performance of our buildings,” Maggiori noted. “All building renovation projects prioritize sustainability as a guiding principle. For example, the design of our new Health Professions Building at the main center is focused on setting a new standard for sustainable performance, surpassing the sustainability achievements of our other four LEED-certified buildings on campus.”

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 on a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five key areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and 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. “����Vlog�ٷ� 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, the STARS program is open to all institutions of higher education. Its transparent and accessible criteria enable institutions to conduct internal assessments and benchmark their performance against peer institutions worldwide. Because STARS is a credit-based system, colleges and universities can use it as a tool to drive continuous improvement in their sustainability efforts.