Heading titled: West Chester University, below it is 'Sustainability' in graffiti font, and then there is the Silver STARS Ranking coin to the left of the text and the 'Sustainability Council at West Chester university' logo to the rightl. It has a purple background and mostly purple and black text.

What is a STARS Report? 

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, & Rating System (STARS) is a comprehensive and transparent reporting framework for universities to track their sustainability performance. The framework addresses environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability and encourages continual improvement across all sustainability metrics.Picture of campus in spring

Why is STARS important? 

The STARS System helps to measure and encourage sustainability in all educational and operational aspects of higher education. With more than 900 participants in 40 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. 
 
 

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What are the main takeaways from WCU’s STARS Reporting Effort?

Environmental, economic, and social sustainability are core principles that the WCU community applies to our teaching, research, support services, andoperations. The STARS Rating system helps West Chester to assess, measure, and report on our efforts to achieve our sustainability commitments at a nationally recognized level.  
 
 

What is our Current STARS Rating?silver coin that says 'stars a program of aashe' surrounded by sustainability tracking rating and assessment system and then 'silver'

West Chester’s STARS Rating for the 2025 submission is ‘Silver’.  Link to our 2025 submission
Silver is an excellent rating, and sits within the ranks from STARS in this order: Platinum (best), Gold, Silver, Bronze, Reporter.    

Quick Facts:

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  • Our report from 2025 received 50.58 points total.
  • After this year's submission 2025, there are currently 391 Institutions that have a valid STARS rating. West Chester is 1 out of only 130 institutions nationally that have a ‘Silver’ ranking for 2025.
  • We were especially successful in our rankings for the following categories: 'Academics', 'Engagement', and 'Planning and Administration'.

Where did WCU Excel in its Sustainability ranking? 

Academics - Curriculum

  1. Sustainability Course Offerings (AC1)
  2. Sustainability Literacy Assessment (AC5)

Campus Engagement

Campus Engagement: Outreach and Communications (EN1)

Energy and Climate

Operations - Energy and Climate - Greenhouse Gas Emissions (OP6)

Coordination and Planning

Coordination and Planning (PA2)

Social Equity

  1. Institutional Climate (PA6)
  2. Gender Parity (PA8)

Academics - Research

AC6: Sustainability Research

Where can WCU Improve its Sustainability Ranking? 

Public Engagement

  1. Public Engagement - Continuing Education (EN7)

Operations

  1. Transportation (vehicle fleet: OP13)
  2. Buildings/Grounds (OP2)
  3. Procurement/Waste (OP9) - Sustainable Procurement System

Investments, Wellbeing, & Work

  1. Investment (PA4 and PA5)
  2. Wellbeing and work (PA13)

 

Now that you’ve learned more about sustainability efforts at West Chester University, get involved with us below! 

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picture of a sunset on the quad of campus

Sustainability Council
A forum for advancing environmental, social, and economic sustainability at West Chester University. Students, staff, faculty, and community members Welcome!
Attend a Sustainability Research & Practice Seminar
A forum for advancing environmental, social, and economic sustainability at West Chester University. In person and virtual every Wednesday 12-12:50 pm.Students, staff, faculty, and community members Welcome! Click the button to join on Zoom!
Office of Sustainability Homepage
There are so many ways to get involved in sustainability at WCU! Click for upcoming events and explore the dropdown tabs for more information on Sustainability Committees, and events. 

Sustainability Publications about West Chester University 

person standing on wcu campus by a flowering tree with a tour groupWCU Earns STARS Silver Rating for Sustainability Achievements
person standing on wcu campus by a flowering tree with a tour groupWCU Again Named a Princeton Review Green College and a Sierra Club Cool School

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