Commitments to Sustainability

STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System)

In 2012, Knox College joined the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and became a STARS Participant. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System^TM (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS® was developed by AASHE with broad participation from the higher education community. Knox College will be able to contiusously assess how we are doing on sustainability goals and compare ourselves to peer institutions.

Talloires Declaration

On May 20, 2008, President Roger Taylor signed the Talloires Declaration, an institutional commitment to environmental sustainability that has been adopted by colleges and universities worldwide.

"This represents the college's renewed, invigorated and continuing commitment to sustainability at Knox and in general," Taylor said as he signed the declaration at a meeting of the President's Task Force on Sustainability. "It's my privilege on behalf of the students, faculty and staff to take another step in the area of sustainability by signing the Talloires Declaration on behalf of the College."

The Declaration (pronounced "Tal - Wahr" ) "covers all aspects of sustainability -- school, community, country, and world," said student Abby Pardick, a member of the Task Force and of the Student Senate Sustainability committee.

• Read the text of the Talloires Declaration

Illinois Sustainable University Compact

President Roger Taylor signed the Illinois Sustainable University Compact committing the College to earth-friendly planning and practices over the next two years. The Compact was developed by the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council. The document pledges Knox to accomplish nine goals by the end of 2010 -- including objectives such as implementing green building practices, developing sustainable transportation options, improving water conservation, and incorporating sustainable dining practices.

"Sustainability is one of the most important issues that we face in our time," Taylor said. "At Knox, it involves all segments of the campus community. In 2007, sustainability was adopted by the Board of Trustees as part of its strategic plan, and we created a Presidential Task Force on Sustainability, comprising students, faculty and administrative staff."