Knox College has achieved a significant milestone in sustainability, earning its fourth STARS silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the sustainability tracking, assessment, and rating system, recognizes and encourages sustainability in higher education institutions.

The College’s silver ranking will be valid until the next assessment period in 2027. Previously, Knox received a bronze rating in 2014, followed by silver ratings in 2015, 2018, and 2020. The full Knox College STARS report is publicly available to view here, with scores on many individual sustainability efforts.

Knox Director of Campus Sustainability Initiatives Tina Hope attributes this achievement to the collaborative efforts of the entire campus community. She emphasizes that this rating reflects the current state of sustainability initiatives on campus and sets the bar high for future achievements.

“This is work that we’re all doing together,” Hope said. “I received feedback and support from people in multiple departments and utilized many voices as part of the reporting process. I’m encouraged by the collaborations across campus in this ongoing work.”

The application process for STARS is intensive, requiring reporting on a multitude of factors including waste operations, campus sustainability engagement, academic curriculum, and much more. With over 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most globally recognized framework for publicly reporting comprehensive information on a college or university’s sustainability performance.

In addition to its silver STARS rating, Knox’s sustainability practices have earned the College many accolades, including a mention in Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges, participation in the national Race to Zero Waste campaign, LEED Gold certification for the Whitcomb Art Center, and more.