Northland College earns top rating

Northland College in Ashland is one of two schools in the nation to receive the highest score for sustainable education and research, according to data from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Northland College is among more than 100 top schools nationwide that have completed AASHE’s self-reporting rating system. The association ranks Northland ahead of other notable institutions, such as Yale University, in its sustainability performance.

“I am very pleased to stand committed with Northland College faculty, staff and students to be moving aggressively toward sustainability,” says Michael A. Miller, Northland College President. “We hope to continue our progress for the benefit of our community, the collaborative higher education movement and the earth.”

Northland received a Platinum STARS score in the association’s education and research category for its accomplishments in areas such as sustainability-related courses, organic gardens, wilderness programs and faculty engaged in sustainability research. To date, Green Mountain College in Vermont is the only other school to receive a Platinum STARS score in education and research. STARS stands for Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System, which AASHE developed to provide a transparent framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. Northland College received a Gold STARS rating for the institution as a whole.

“The STARS rating allows us to reflect and look at other areas in which we can make improvements and advancements toward sustainability,” says Michele Meyer, Dean of Student Life at Northland College.

The STARS measure for sustainability scores school performance in four areas: education and research, planning and administration, operations and innovation. Schools must obtain at least 65 points to obtain a gold rating and 85 points to meet the platinum rating requirements. The Gold STARS rating ranks Northland College among other top schools, including Duke University, Emory University and the University of California—San Diego.

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