Humber Polytechnic Recognized with STARS Gold Rating for Sustainability Excellence
September 11, 2024
Building Brilliance: Humber ranks first among all North American peers
Humber Polytechnic’s leadership continues to shine as it holds its STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), reflecting ongoing excellence in sustainability. The STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) program measures and promotes sustainability across all facets of higher education.
While Humber’s last STARS submission was in February 2023, the latest Sustainability Campus Index ranks Humber first among all institutions in the Associate Colleges category for its sustainability efforts. It tied for first in the Coordination and Planning category, placed third in Grounds, and ranked second in Waste management.
“At Humber, we are dreaming without boundaries. Our strong performance in this ranking is a testament to Humber’s unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and innovation and is a great example of our vision—Building Brilliance—in action,” said Ann Marie Vaughan, president and CEO, Humber Polytechnic. “It reflects the collective efforts of our students, faculty, and staff to create a greener, more equitable future. We see this as not just a recognition of our past achievements but as motivation to continue leading the way in environmental responsibility and social impact.”
With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics; engagement; operations; planning and administration; and innovation and leadership.
“As we continue to build at Humber, it’s essential that we do so sustainably, keeping the health and equity of our future in mind—for both the planet and our communities,” said Lindsay Walker, director of Sustainability, Humber Polytechnic. “We will continue to prioritize sustainability in everything we do, ensuring our actions today create a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
The STARS program is open to all higher education institutions, with transparent and accessible criteria for earning a rating. As a credit-based system, STARS enables institutions to benchmark their sustainability efforts both internally and against similar institutions.
“All of us at AASHE extend our warmest congratulations to Humber Polytechnic for their achievement,” said AASHE’s Executive Director, Meghan Fay Zahniser. “By fostering sustainable practices and initiatives, you set an inspiring example for your peers and future generations. Your efforts are a testament to the positive impact that institutions can make when they prioritize sustainability and take meaningful action. Keep up the outstanding work in creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all!”
Humber’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS Website.
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About AASHE
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about AASHE, visit www.aashe.org.
About STARS
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS was developed by AASHE with broad participation from the higher education community. The credits included in STARS span the breadth of higher education sustainability and are organized into four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration. All reports are publicly accessible on the STARS website. For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.
About Humber Polytechnic
Humber is Canada’s competitive advantage. Like the world around us, we’re constantly in motion, creating a new expectation for education, while helping solve Canada’s wicked productivity problem. More than just a place to learn, it’s a place to belong. Offering the largest depth and breadth of programming to more than 86,000 learners, Humber is pioneering innovative and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. With the support of our deep-rooted industry connections, dedicated faculty, and amazing staff, at Humber, we build brilliance every single day. Visit humber.ca to learn more.
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In late August 2023, Humber set out on an ambitious journey to redefine itself and what post-secondary education could look like in 2030 and beyond. This journey was called Humber Inspired and included discussions with more than a thousand people, including students, staff and industry and community partners, on the school’s future and its purpose in society. A year later, the first step of that future is being realized with the announcement of the transformation from Humber College to Humber Polytechnic and its new brand, Builders of Brilliance.
