The New School Receives STARS Silver Rating for Sustainability Achievements
June 3, 2025, New York – The New School has earned a STARS 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 and Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. The New School’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.
In the higher education sector, The New School has a strong commitment to sustainability and educating our community to lead more sustainable lives, offering several environmentally focused, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, including a master’s degree program in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management, and a graduate certificate in Sustainability Strategies. It is home to several sustainability-focused research centers and labs including the Tishman Center for Environment and Design, which combines design, policy, and social justice approaches to advance climate and environmental justice; the Healthy Materials Lab, a design research lab dedicated to transforming the way building products are manufactured to eliminate potential toxics, and support the creation of new healthier materials; and the Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability Lab, an action research lab that applies interdisciplinary expertise to sustainable practices and social innovation.
The New School’s facilities and operations are equally focused on sustainability, with recent projects including improvements in HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) efficiency, lighting, heating fuels, operational controls, energy management, weatherization, IT, and conservation and behavior. The university has participated in the New York City Carbon Challenge since it was launched in 2006, and has been working towards a 40 percent reduction in CO2e by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040. Further, The New School’s 16-story University Center, is one of Manhattan’s greenest buildings, with a US Green Building Council LEED Gold rating.
“We are proud to have our sustainability efforts recognized with a STARS silver rating. The system is a great tool that helps us assess specific actions that affect the university’s environmental and climate impacts and its comprehensive format ensures we are looking at how all parts of the university are connected and have a role in lowering our carbon impact and addressing climate-related social inequities,” said Ashley Kossakowski, Director of Energy and Sustainability at The New School.
With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.
“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “The New School has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”
Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and help to standardize sustainability and environmental justice goals across higher education campuses worldwide. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.
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. Mike Harrington is the current chair of the AASHE Sustainability Tracking and Reporting (STARS) and was a part of the committee that released the latest version of STARS, 3.0. It provides resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable higher education institutions 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. For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.
About The New School
Founded in 1919, The New School was established to advance academic freedom, tolerance, and experimentation. A century later, The New School remains at the forefront of innovation in higher education, inspiring more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students to challenge the status quo in design and the social sciences, liberal arts, management, the arts, and media. The university welcomes thousands of adult learners annually for continuing education courses and public programs that encourage open discourse and social engagement. Through our online learning portals, research institutes, and international partnerships, The New School maintains a global presence.
CONTACTS:
The New School
Merrie Snead
sneadm@newschool.edu