In a green groove, Cornell earns fifth gold STARS


Jason Koski/University Photography
Crews used a heavy crane last May to lift the reconditioned Ossberger crossflow turbine into Cornell’s Hydroelectric Plant in Fall Creek gorge. The plant generates two percent of the university’s electricity.

Cornell has earned a gold rating in the annual STARS report for the fifth year in a row.

Cornell scored 70.05 – up two points from the previous year – on a self-reporting tool colleges and universities use to measure progress and compare their environmental rankings called the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS).

Cornell was ranked on innovation, planning and administration, operations, public and campus engagement, and academics. The university improved its score by decreasing office paper expenditures, adopting greener janitorial supplies, substantially reducing the amount of water used on campus and for irrigation.

Finally, students spent more hours involved in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach, educational activities and community service.

- Blaine Friedlander