Delta College again named a top performer by national sustainability group

Delta College / News / Delta College again named a top performer by national sustainability group

November 17, 2020

Delta College has again been named a national top performer for sustainability practices by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability Higher Education (AASHE), achieving ninth place in the U.S. and Canada.

Delta is included in the 2020 Sustainable Campus Index (page 42), a publication that recognizes top-performing colleges and universities in 17 impact areas. Nationally, Delta continues to rank high in campus engagement and building categories.

“This appreciated recognition would not be possible without support and participation in sustainability practices by everyone at Delta, notably our committed sustainability team,” said Dr. Jean Goodnow, president of Delta College. “Our students, faculty and staff embrace sustainability every day and this acknowledgment is proof of that.”

The rankings are based on data from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Ratings Systems (STARS), a self-reporting system that gauges the progress of colleges and universities in all areas of sustainability. Delta obtained a silver ranking in 2017 and has participated in the reporting process since 2008.

Sustainability touches all areas of the college, including construction, facilities care and ground maintenance. Some notable and recent projects include:

Trees that were cut down on campus last year have been composted and are being used as mulch.
The new Downtown Saginaw and Downtown Midland centers were constructed to LEED silver standards.
Delta is a certified monarch waystation for butterflies as they migrate to Mexico during the winter months.
The college’s Wellness Committee includes a group of engaged faculty and staff members who strive to create opportunities for a healthy work/life balance.

View Delta’s current STARS report online. The college will submit an updated report in 2020.

Recognitions

This is the latest recognition Delta has received for its sustainability efforts. In 2019, Delta received the 2018 Higher Education Climate Leadership Award for two-year institutions from the U.S. Green Building Council and Second Nature. In 2018, Delta became the first college in Michigan to be named a certified Bee Campus. In 2018 and 2019, Delta was also included in AASHE’s top 10 lists.

Learn about Delta’s sustainability efforts at delta.edu/sustainability.

Written by Leah Twilley, Communications Specialist.