Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 53.99
Liaison Amy Parrish
Submission Date Feb. 19, 2025

STARS v3.0

Boise State University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete N/A Amy Parrish
Sustainability Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Launched School of the Environment

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s featured program initiative, or accomplishment:

Boise State University launched the School of the Environment in 2022 to foster new knowledge and inspire curiosity about the environment both within the university and in the broader community. By leveraging existing strengths, promoting deep interdisciplinary learning, and cultivating partnerships at all levels, the school serves as Boise State’s central hub for environmental engagement in Idaho and beyond. It unites scientific perspectives, policy expertise, systems thinking, diverse experiences, creative storytelling, and collaborative partnerships to address pressing environmental challenges on our changing planet.

The School of the Environment offers students high-value interdisciplinary learning opportunities through its environmental majors, minors, and certificates. Already, two new degree programs—the Master’s in Environmental Management and the Bachelor’s in Environmental Science—have exceeded enrollment expectations, reflecting strong demand for innovative, solutions-focused education.

In addition to teaching, the school promotes collaborative and impactful environmental research. For example, one affiliated researcher is exploring the effects of beaver rewilding on cattle ranches, showcasing the school’s commitment to addressing real-world environmental challenges through applied science and partnerships. School of the Environment faculty are also exploring collective action-based solutions to addressing the decline of important pollinating insect populations, studying the ability of targeted sheep grazing to reduce invasive grasses in sagebrush-steppe rangelands, and determining the effects of place-based experiential education on student persistence, satisfaction, and placement in interdisciplinary STEM graduate degree programs and subsequent public lands and environmental management careers.

https://www.boisestate.edu/environment/


A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Geoscience_Field_Camp_Hells_Canyon_064.jpg

Name of a second featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Created a Green Revolving Fund

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the second featured program initiative, or accomplishment:

Boise State University has established a Green Revolving Fund to support energy-saving projects across its campus. With a commitment of $1 million, this innovative fund aims to enhance energy efficiency and bolster the university's resilience to rising energy costs. The cost savings generated from energy-efficient projects are reinvested back into the fund, creating a self-sustaining financial model. This ensures that future initiatives can be funded without requiring additional resources, maximizing the long-term impact of the university's initial investment.

The fund's inaugural project will focus on replacing outdated lighting systems with energy-efficient LED lights. This upgrade is expected to reduce electricity consumption and lower utility costs.  

 

 


A photograph or document associated with the second featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
rsize_led-light-install-.jpg

Name of a third featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Established an Office of Sustainability

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the third featured program initiative, or accomplishment:

Boise State University established a stand-alone Office of Sustainability in the fall of 2023, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a more sustainable campus. Previously part of Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability, the creation of an independent office elevates the visibility and significance of sustainability within the university’s organizational structure.

The Office of Sustainability currently employs one full-time staff member, one part-time staff member, and two part-time students. Together, they lead sustainability initiatives, collect and analyze data, and collaborate with faculty and students on impactful research projects. Current initiatives include managing the Student Sustainability Fund, introducing new and improved recycling signage across campus, and conducting a comprehensive study to assess the university’s solar energy potential.

By taking this focused approach, Boise State is positioning sustainability as a central pillar of its campus culture and operations.

 


A photograph or document associated with the third featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
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Notes about the information provided for this credit:
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