New Jersey Institute of Technology has achieved a Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), marking a major milestone in the university’s continued efforts to advance sustainability across academics, campus operations, student engagement and institutional planning.
The recognition follows a year-long data collection and assessment process through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, known as STARS. The self-reporting framework is used by colleges and universities to measure sustainability performance across four main categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations and Planning & Administration, with additional recognition available through Innovation & Leadership credits.
The university submitted its first STARS report in 2023 and achieved Silver status. Three years later, NJIT has made significant progress in sustainability efforts and secured its place as the first public four-year university in New Jersey to achieve the STARS Gold rating.
The rating reflects broad progress across the university, including expanded sustainability-related academic opportunities, stronger campus engagement, continued investment in sustainable operations and institutional efforts that support access and student success.
Notable milestones in NJIT's sustainability efforts are a result of widespread support and dedication among the campus community, and include:
Academics
- Substantial student enrollment into degree programs containing economic, social, or environmental sustainability-related coursework.
Engagement
- A growing network of multiple sustainability-minded organizations and entities on campus including the Office of Sustainability, NJIT Green, American Academy for Environmental Engineers & Scientists, Habitat for Humanity, Engineers Without Borders, and more.
- The establishment of Ecohighlanders and Green Teams programs to promote sustainable behavior and community-driven initiatives among NJIT faculty, staff, and students.
- Contribution of 62,000 hours of community service by NJIT students to local non-profit organizations during 2022-2025.
Operations
- Commitment to sustainable building energy performance systems and the construction and operation of third-party certified green buildings.
- Plant-based foods accounting for 19.5% of food and beverage purchases.
- Programs that donate surplus food to redistribution centers, divert pre- and post-consumer food waste to generate renewable energy, and actively track food and organic materials management efforts.
- Recycling 460 tons of non-hazardous waste and 40 tons of construction and demolition waste.
Planning & Administration
- Strong graduation rates across all demographics, including low-income students, marginalized gender identities and historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
- Reduced barriers to educational resources via the NJIT Open and Affordable Textbook (OAT) Program. -
"Congratulations to our Sustainability team for their tremendous efforts in helping NJIT achieve the STARS Gold rating," said Andrew Christ, senior vice president of University Operations. "We used this assessment as a clear roadmap to advance our energy conservation and sustainability goals. This milestone solidifies our commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions while investing in a campus that drives student success."
As NJIT continues to make headway in sustainability, please feel free to share ideas and input via the Office of Sustainability website or Instagram (@njitsustainability).
