Frostburg State University has been highlighted in the 2016 Sustainable Campus Index in the Investment & Finance section for its efforts in advancing sustainability in higher education through the creation of the Student Sustainability Fee, which was voted on by the FSU Student Government Association.

The 2016 Sustainable Campus Index, a publication of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), highlights innovative and high-impact initiatives from colleges and universities that submitted a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) report in the 12 months before July 1, 2016. FSU was also recognized for achieving a STARS Silver Rating from AASHE.

“I’m glad that AASHE recognized the foresight of our student body and Student Government Association dedicating funds to special sustainability projects that provide hands-on learning opportunities. I look forward to our latest projects coming to fruition,” said FSU President Ronald Nowaczyk. "Additionally, the STARS Silver rating is a reflection of the commitment from the campus community to be a good steward of the environment. The data in the STARS report reaffirms what a tremendous job our faculty, staff and students do to keep Frostburg green.”

FSU was recognized for its Student Government Association’s dedication to sustainability through dedicating a $15-per-semester student fee to fund a project or event that incorporates sustainable practices. Some of the latest projects awarded from this fee include monitoring Sand Spring Run for water quality on campus and a planned three-dimensional sculpture made from at least 80 percent recycled materials.

“Frostburg State‘s participation in STARS and recent accomplishments in the area of Investment and Finance demonstrates significant leadership and commitment to advancing sustainability,” said AASHE’s Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “We are pleased to recognize Frostburg State for working to secure a thriving, equitable and ecologically healthy world by incorporating sustainability into campus operations, administration, engagement and academics.”

FSU and University of Maryland, College Park are the only University System of Maryland institutions to receive a STARS rating. The STARS program measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

AASHE’s STARS program is the only one of its kind that involves publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in three overall areas: 1) education and research, 2) operations and 3) planning, administration and engagement.

During the reporting period, the Gira Center for Communications and Information Technology was awarded LEED® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. The building features reduced interior lighting power density, a high-efficiency condensing boiler, a green roof and many more features designed to reduce the building’s carbon footprint. The Gira Center was designed and built by a team of companies led by Ayers Saint Gross and Gilbane Building Co.

Many of FSU’s other sustainable practices are incorporated in the scoring of its STARS report, including Dining Services operator Chartwells using a composting system to divert food waste from landfills.

FSU’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website at stars.aashe.org/institutions/frostburg-state-university-md/report/.

For more information about FSU’s sustainability initiative, Learning Green, Living Green, visit www.facebook.com/frostburglglg/.

-end-

For further information on this release, contact:

Office of News and Media Services
Frostburg State University
101 Braddock Road
Frostburg, MD  21532-2303

Telephone: 301-687-3171
Fax: 301-687-7589
E-mail: news@frostburg.edu