STARS is a voluntary framework that helps colleges and universities measure and improve their sustainability performance, managed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). It translates campus sustainability efforts into a clear, comparable rating using a points-based system across categories like academics, operations, planning, administration, engagement, and innovation. Institutions submit documentation for measurements across the university, receive points for verified actions and data, and earn a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum STARS rating based on their total score. 

STARS supports continuous improvement by highlighting strengths, revealing gaps, and enabling benchmarking against peer institutions. It’s used by campus leaders, faculty, staff, and students to guide strategy, track progress, and communicate sustainability achievements to stakeholders.

“As our national reputation reflects, UVM continues to lead in sustainability. For us, sustainability is both a lens through which to pursue research, and a fundamental guiding principle for all of our operations, campus-wide.” - President Marlene Tromp

Some highlights from our 2026 STARS submission:

• 86% of academic departments offer sustainability courses
• 93% of research departments study some facet of sustainability, including several new centers tackling pressing sustainability issues like waste, clean energy, food systems and agroecology
• 76% increase in composting within residence halls after program expansion 
• 87% of students, faculty and staff take part in some type of sustainability-focused activity
• 34% of food is sustainably or ethically produced and 42% is plant based
• 82% of students use sustainable commuting options

STARS ratings are valid for three years. UVM has achieved a Gold rating in the last five consecutive rankings: 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2026. Gold represents achievement of 65-85% of total available points, and UVM is committed to maintaining our Gold rating. UVM's full STARS report can be viewed here. AASHE offers free accounts to access the report, but a sign-in is required. A summary of our scores by credit name are listed below.