UC Riverside received a gold rating for its sustainability efforts from an organization that tracks the nation’s most sustainable colleges and universities.

The campus earned the recognition May 15 from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or AASHE STARS.

“We are very proud of this AASHE STARS achievement and the collaboration and support we received from across the campus during the data collection process,” said Francis Mitalo, the interim sustainability program director for UCR’s Office of Sustainability. “We will continue working together toward the platinum rating in our next submission in 2028.”

AASHE STARS evaluates programs every three years based on assessment reports from participating institutions. All UC campuses must participate.

UCR earned a silver rating in 2013 and gold ratings in 2016 and 2021. The latest gold rating is valid through May 2028.

The program has more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries that report achievements relating to sustainability in five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. The rating system includes four tiers from bronze to platinum, the top rating. UCR has increased its score in academics since the last rating.