MGH Institute of Health Professions has earned its first STARS Bronze rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. MGH IHP’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website here.

As a graduate school dedicated exclusively to the health professions, it has become increasingly important for the IHP to acknowledge and address the connection between human health and climate change. Sustainability plays a vital role in this link by advocating for practices that protect the health of both humans and the environment. This report provides the first steps to establishing a baseline regarding the IHP’s sustainability performance and provides guidelines for future planning around sustainability. The IHP’s sustainability efforts were chronicled in this story last month. 

“I’m excited to see the IHP recognized for our sustainability efforts during our first ever report,” said Tyler Leary, Sustainability Coordinator, Office of Campus Services. “And I and look forward to using STARS as a template to guide future initiatives focused on the connection between human health and the environment.”

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 related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 

  • Academics 
  • Engagement
  • Operations
  • Planning and administration
  • 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. “MGH IHP has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Bronze Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”

Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions. 

For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.