The STARS report evaluates sustainability in higher education
STONY BROOK, NY – May 13, 2025 – Stony Brook University has earned a STARS 3.0 Silver 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. This self-assessment report was completed through cross-department collaboration and leadership from the Office of Sustainability.
Bill Herrmann, Vice President for Facilities & Services and Chief Sustainability Officer, praised the collaborative effort behind Stony Brook University’s recent recognition, stating:
“Achieving the STARS Silver rating is a powerful reflection of Stony Brook’s enduring commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of our campus. This milestone would not have been possible without the leadership of Tom Lanzilotta, Assistant Director of Energy and Sustainability and Erin Kluge, Sustainability Coordinator within the Office of Sustainability, whose dedication was instrumental throughout the process. I am deeply grateful to the team for their tireless efforts, as well as to the many individuals across campus who contributed data, insights, and support. The information gathered through the STARS assessment will be invaluable as we advance our Strategic Plan and develop the upcoming Facilities Master Plan; keeping sustainability at the forefront of decision-making at Stony Brook University.”
The STARS Report takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating campus sustainability. This is done through completing five areas:
- Academics
- Engagement
- Operations
- Planning and Administration
- Innovation and Leadership
These categories provide universities to demonstrate how they incorporate sustainability into their campuses in unique ways.
Noteworthy areas that contributed to Stony Brook’s score are:
- Social equity – a new category in the rating system that evaluates a university’s commitment to inclusion.
- Curriculum – highlighting SBU’s extensive sustainability course offerings and degree programs.
- Center for Sustainability Research – showcasing the university’s various environmental research institutes such as the Center for Clean Water Technology, C4E, AERTC, CIDER, and the partnership with The New York Climate Exchange.
- Co-curricular activities – emphasizing the dozens of environmental focused clubs and programming on campus such as Earthstock.
“The successful completion of our AASHE STARS sustainability report exemplifies the power of collaboration across our campus. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of departments and individuals from every corner of the university, all coming together with a shared commitment to sustainability,” notes Tom Lanzilotta, Assistant Director of Energy and Sustainability. “It truly takes a team to achieve our sustainability goals, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. A special thanks goes to Erin Kluge, SBU’s Sustainability Coordinator, who flawlessly managed the coordination and data collection process with professionalism and precision, ensuring the report’s success.”
The STARS Report will aid in informing future decisions to improve SBU’s sustainability performance. An upcoming project is the construction of solar PV arrays across campus. Efforts such as these will help positively contribute to the next STARS Report and our climate.
The full report can be found on the Stony Brook University scorecard. Visit the STARS and/or AASHE websites to learn more. Keep up to date with more SBU sustainability news on the Office of Sustainability’s website.
Photo: STARS Silver Rating Seal
Caption: The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System
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