UNG receives STARS bronze rating for sustainability achievements
Article By: Staff
The University of North Georgia (UNG) has been recognized for its sustainability achievements by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Through AASHE, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. UNG earned the bronze award in early June based on its reported accomplishments in campus sustainability.
"Recognition by STARS gives UNG a starting point to measure other sustainability improvements in the future," said Ken Crowe, assistant vice president of facilities at UNG.
Hugh Scott, lecturer of management in the Mike Cottrell College of Business and a member of the president's committee on sustainability at UNG, said the school received high marks in several categories including curriculum, diversity, coordination, planning and community partnerships.
"I think that what helped us get the bronze rating was the across-the-board participation of many departments," said Scott, who has presented at the Georgia Campus Sustainability Network.
UNG's bronze designation is valid for three years, and the full report is available on the STARS website.
Scott credited alumnae Mary Kraeling and Cassidy Sullens for tackling the submission project last year.
"They were wonderful students," he said. "They got the submission off the runway and in the air."
Scott added many faculty and staff also participated in the project. They ranged from the President's Sustainability Committee to Linda Rowland, director of institutional research, and Adam Strzemienski, assistant director of facilities for capital planning and sustainability.
"It was a team effort," Scott said.
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