STARS 1.1

Boston University

Boston, MA, US


Rating Score Valid Through Liaison Submitted Executive Letter
Silver - expired 47.63 Dec. 13, 2014 Stephen Ellis Dec. 14, 2011 Download

Boston University is using STARS as the tool to track and report our progress across the spectrum of sustainability issues on an annual basis. This, our first STARS report will provide a benchmark for 2010. We will continue to report annually.

Boston University's 2010 physical boundary for STARS includes:
The Charles River Campus (CRC)
The Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC)
14,494,700 square feet of building area

Satellite properties are excluded such as:
Sargent Camp, NH
Tanglewood, MA
Other BU-owned property located outside of Boston

Boston University has a robust Co-Curricular Education program that is integrated to include the student body, faculty, staff, and alumni. This effort begins with the University's award winning sustainability website and extends to sustainability's newsletter, … read more
Credit Status
Student Sustainability Educators Program Not Pursuing
Student Sustainability Outreach Campaign Complete
Sustainability in New Student Orientation Complete
Sustainability Outreach and Publications Complete
Student Group Complete
Organic Garden Complete
Model Room in a Residence Hall Not Pursuing
Themed Housing Complete
Sustainable Enterprise Complete
Sustainability Events Complete
Outdoors Program Complete
Themed Semester or Year Complete
Students at Boston University have diverse educational opportunities related to sustainability in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and special degree programs offered through 11 of Boston University’s 17 schools and colleges. These opportunities include a broad range … read more
Credit Status
Sustainability Course Identification Complete
Sustainability-Focused Courses Complete
Sustainability-Related Courses Complete
Sustainability Courses by Department Complete
Sustainability Learning Outcomes Not Pursuing
Undergraduate Program in Sustainability Complete
Graduate Program in Sustainability Complete
Sustainability Immersive Experience Complete
Sustainability Literacy Assessment Complete
Incentives for Developing Sustainability Courses Not Pursuing
Boston University's faculty and students engage in various research projects in order to more effectively understand and interpret vast and ever-changing issues related to sustainability. Research spans multiple disciplines, focuses on national and global scales, … read more
Credit Status
Sustainability Research Identification Complete
Faculty Involved in Sustainability Research Complete
Departments Involved in Sustainability Research Complete
Sustainability Research Incentives Complete
Interdisciplinary Research in Tenure and Promotion Not Pursuing
Boston University incorporates sustainable building practices into small renovations and large construction projects alike. Building design and construction takes a broad spectrum of green building strategies into account. To accomplish this, the University uses the … read more
Credit Status
Building Operations and Maintenance Not Pursuing
Building Design and Construction Complete
Indoor Air Quality Complete
In 2010 Boston University emitted 162,820 metric tonnes of CO2 from fossil fuels burned on campus to heat and cool our buildings, and from the fossil fuels burned by others to generate the necessary electricity … read more
Credit Status
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Complete
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Complete
Air Travel Emissions Not Pursuing
Local Offsets Program Not Pursuing
BU buys locally to reduce fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. BU currently purchases everything from milk, fruit, vegetables, and meat, to seafood, coffee, tofu and pizza dough from 45 local farms and growers. The … read more
Credit Status
Food and Beverage Purchasing Complete
Trayless Dining Complete
Vegan Dining Complete
Trans-Fats Complete
Guidelines for Franchisees Complete
Pre-Consumer Food Waste Composting Complete
PostConsumer Food Waste Composting Complete
Food Donation Complete
Recycled Content Napkins Complete
Reusable Mug Discounts Complete
Reusable To-Go Containers Not Pursuing
sustainability@BU views energy efficiency as the most important issue within the University’s sustainability efforts. Efficient energy reduces the University's exposure to market volatility, ongoing operating costs, and CO2 emissions, which contribute to climate change. In … read more
Credit Status
Building Energy Consumption Complete
Clean and Renewable Energy Not Pursuing
Timers for Temperature Control Complete
Lighting Sensors Complete
LED Lighting Complete
Vending Machine Sensors Complete
Energy Management System Complete
Energy Metering Complete

In keeping with BU’s commitment to sustainability, the University has introduced a number of eco-agricultural initiatives, such as integrated pest management, composting yard waste, and implementing organic lawn treatments.

Credit Status
Integrated Pest Management Complete
Native Plants Not Pursuing
Wildlife Habitat Not Pursuing
Tree Campus USA Not Pursuing
Snow and Ice Removal Complete
Compost Complete
In an effort to reduce the University’s environmental footprint through the products and services it procures, Boston University first launched its Green Purchasing initiative in 2004, choosing products and services that have a smaller environmental … read more
Credit Status
Computer Purchasing Complete
Cleaning Products Purchasing Complete
Office Paper Purchasing Not Pursuing
Vendor Code of Conduct Complete
Historically Underutilized Businesses Complete
Local Businesses Not Pursuing
At Boston University 92% of our students and 65% of our faculty and staff take sustainable means of transportation on a daily basis. The reason for this high rate is simple; Boston University is well … read more
Credit Status
Campus Fleet Not Pursuing
Student Commute Modal Split Complete
Employee Commute Modal Split Complete
Bicycle Sharing Complete
Facilities for Bicyclists Complete
Bicycle Plan Complete
Mass Transit Complete
Condensed Work Week Not Pursuing
Telecommuting Not Pursuing
Carpool/Vanpool Matching Complete
Cash-out of Parking Not Pursuing
Carpool Discount Not Pursuing
Local Housing Not Pursuing
Prohibiting Idling Complete
Car Sharing Complete
Boston University began work to improve the University’s waste and recycling efforts in 2006 with a waste audit conducted on the Charles River Campus. The audit revealed a recycling rate of 4% for the Charles … read more
Credit Status
Waste Reduction Complete
Waste Diversion Complete
Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion Not Pursuing
Electronic Waste Recycling Program Complete
Hazardous Waste Management Complete
Materials Exchange Not Pursuing
Limiting Printing Complete
Materials Online Complete
Chemical Reuse Inventory Complete
Move-In Waste Reduction Complete
Move-Out Waste Reduction Complete
Concerted efforts to reduce water consumption on campus have been ongoing for two decades. On the Charles River Campus, water consumption has dropped 31% since 1991. This reduction can be largely attributed to leak detection, … read more
Credit Status
Water Consumption Complete
Stormwater Management Complete
Waterless Urinals Complete
Building Water Metering Complete
Non-Potable Water Usage Not Pursuing
Xeriscaping Complete
Weather-Informed Irrigation Complete
Boston University’s Sustainability Committee and its four working groups provide the structure for the University’s sustainability program including sustainability@BU, the University’s sustainability office. This program provides a means to lead the University in a more … read more
Credit Status
Sustainability Coordination Complete
Strategic Plan Complete
Physical Campus Plan Not Pursuing
Sustainability Plan Not Pursuing
Climate Action Plan Not Pursuing
Boston University awards millions of dollars in need-based grants and merit awards to incoming students annually. The Equal Opportunity Office works to promote and realize Boston University’s commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action. We … read more
Credit Status
Diversity and Equity Coordination Complete
Measuring Campus Diversity Culture Complete
Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups Complete
Support Programs for Future Faculty Not Pursuing
Affordability and Access Programs Complete
Gender Neutral Housing Not Pursuing
Employee Training Opportunities Complete
Student Training Opportunities Complete

Boston University connects to the community through a broad range of public engagement activities often partnering with the City of Boston and other area universities.

Credit Status
Community Sustainability Partnerships Complete
Inter-Campus Collaboration on Sustainability Complete
Sustainability in Continuing Education Complete
Community Service Participation Complete
Community Service Hours Complete
Sustainability Policy Advocacy Complete
Trademark Licensing Complete
Graduation Pledge Not Pursuing
Community Service on Transcripts Not Pursuing
Farmers' Market Complete
Credit Status
Innovation 1 Complete
Innovation 2 Not Pursuing
Innovation 3 Not Pursuing
Innovation 4 Not Pursuing

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.