Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.76
Liaison Richard Johnson
Submission Date Oct. 13, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Rice University
IN-24: Innovation A

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Complete Undergraduate Dining Green Restaurant Association Certification

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

In 2016, Rice University became the second university to achieve Green Restaurant Association Certification for all undergraduate dining facilities. Including the 6 undergraduate dining facilities at Rice, there are only 19 total GRA certified restaurants in Texas. The commitment to certifying all undergraduate dining facilities brings sustainability issues to the forefront of the minds of students, chefs, and H&D staff. It reminds everyone to choose the more environmentally friendly option--such as using reusable utensils and limiting waste/consumption. Furthermore, it serves as a checkpoint to push for more sustainable dining practices for Rice and other peer institutions.
As one of the very first universities to have all undergraduate dining facilities certified by the Green Restaurant Association, Rice went above and beyond normal practices and set a precedent for other institutions.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Campus Engagement
Buildings
Food & Dining

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
---

The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

http://news.rice.edu/2016/10/05/rice-serveries-earn-green-restaurant-certification/
http://www.ricethresher.org/article/2016/10/serveries-garner-national-environmental-certification

We corresponded with AASHE staff about including this as an Innovation credit, and were advised on 5/4/2017 that: "...it would also be appropriate to claim a one-time Innovation credit for being one of the first institutions to have all outlets certified."


http://news.rice.edu/2016/10/05/rice-serveries-earn-green-restaurant-certification/
http://www.ricethresher.org/article/2016/10/serveries-garner-national-environmental-certification

We corresponded with AASHE staff about including this as an Innovation credit, and were advised on 5/4/2017 that: "...it would also be appropriate to claim a one-time Innovation credit for being one of the first institutions to have all outlets certified."

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.