CWU Sustainability
Commitments and Recognition
Sustainability at CWU is an ongoing commitment. Through established goals in our Climate Action Plan, certifications, and external recognition, we track our progress and celebrate the work happening across campus to advance environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
AASHE STARS Gold Rating Recognition
In October 2025, Central Washington University completed the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Report to assess its sustainability performance. CWU received a Gold rating with a score 66.30 out of 100 possible points (a 11-point increase from the 2022 CWU STARS Silver rating!).
Completion of the STARS assessment was a great accomplishment that provided CWU with a tool for strategically moving forward to continue to improve sustainability at CWU.
CWU's AASHE STARS report (submitted October 2025, valid until October 2028)
CWU Green Office Certification Gold Rating
The Office of Sustainability is proud to be recognized at the Gold level through Central Washington University’s Green Office Certification Program. This certification reflects our strong commitment to advancing environmental, social, and economic sustainability across campus.
By implementing sustainable practices in areas such as energy use, transportation, purchasing, waste reduction, participation, and event planning, our office demonstrates what it means to lead by example. Achieving Gold certification reinforces our dedication to building a more sustainable campus.
AASCU Excellence and Innovation Award
CWU received the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Excellence and Innovation Sustainability and Sustainable Development Award in recognition of its comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP). The award recognized CWU's collaborative, campus wide approach to addressing climate change and advancing sustainability.
Tree Campus Higher Education Recognition
In recognition of its efforts to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees, the Arbor Day Foundation. they honored CWU as 2019 Tree Campus Higher Education campus. CWU received the national award for meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards. The standards include: maintaining a tree advisory committee, instituting a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures for a campus tree program, hosting an Arbor Day observance, and establishing student service-learning projects.
CWU Included in the 2022 Princeton Review to Green Colleges
Central Washington University is one of the nation's most environmentally responsible colleges, according to The Princeton Review®. The education services company features Central Washington University in its website resource, The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2022 Edition, released on October 26, 2021. The guide is accessible for free at Princeton review.
The Princeton Review chose the 420 schools in the guide based on its survey of administrators at 835 colleges in 2020-21 about their institutions’ commitments to the environment and sustainability. The company's editors analyzed over 25 survey data points to select the schools.
CWU News
Summer CSA program provides fresh food, fresh opportunities to CWU community
September 9, 2026 by Tran Nha Pham
CWU professor elected to serve on ethics organization board
September 9, 2026 by David Leder