The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education recognized Cal State Fullerton a second time with its gold rating for the university’s environmental efforts.
The nonprofit association provides training and resources to help colleges and universities incorporate sustainability into campus practices, operations and curriculum. The university first achieved gold in the association’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System in 2022; that award lasted until CSUF again received AASHE’s gold rating in 2025.
CSUF’s gold ranking “speaks to the commitment the university has toward a sustainable future,” said Kristen Jasko, CSUF’s assistant vice president of university services.
Nearly 400 institutions worldwide have ratings from AASHE, which are based on criteria including how coursework and research incorporate environmental concepts, how eco-friendly campus energy use and waste handling are, and issues such as affordability and well-being of the campus community.
Among CSUF’s highlights are long-term accomplishments, such as reducing campus water consumption by 30% since 2012, shifting a majority of the university’s vehicle fleet to alternative fuels and generating more than 20% of CSUF’s power with on-site solar panels.
Recent achievements include more than doubling the number of electric vehicle charging ports to 100, providing students hands-on experiences through internships at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden and Urban Agriculture Community-based Research Experience Project, and offering nearly 900 courses with a sustainability element. The current rating is valid through mid-2028.
“The gold rating reflects the decades-long contributions of many members of our campus community to create a sustainable campus,” shared CSUF sustainability analyst Stephanie Del Rosario, adding that it also helps position the university as an environmental leader in higher education.