For the second year in a row, Stanislaus State ranked in the top 10 for “Wellbeing & Work” in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Sustainable Campus Index (SCI), a publication that recognizes top-performing colleges and universities for sustainability overall and in 17 impact areas.
“This ranking reflects Stan State’s commitment to social and economic sustainability by supporting and promoting the well-being of the campus community and, ultimately, the community beyond campus boundaries,” said Julia Reynoso, associate vice president of Capital Planning and Facilities Management, who sits on the University’s Council for Sustainable Futures.
Stan State’s 2022 ranking held at No. 9 with a total score of 80.9% in the “Wellbeing & Work” impact area. The ranking is based on data submitted between March 2019 and March 2022 to AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), which has rewarded Stan State’s comprehensive sustainability efforts with a “Silver” rating.
The 2022 SCI rankings were determined by comparing the STARS data of more than 570 institutions in 20 countries covering 49 US states, the District of Columbia and eight Canadian provinces.
Stan State earned high marks in the four sections of the “Wellbeing & Work” impact area:
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More than 75% of employees and “significant” contractors’ employees are paid a living wage, with the statistic being 97% at Stan State.
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Employees’ satisfaction with their jobs, learning and advancement opportunities, work culture and work/life balance is actively surveyed, and a process is in place to address issues.
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Wellness programs, counseling, referrals and well-being services are available to students, faculty and staff, and a tobacco smoke-free environment is maintained.
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A health and safety management system is in place, and fewer than four recordable incidents of work-related illness or injury occur annually per 100 full-time equivalent employees.
The SCI report notes that colleges and universities bolster the strength of their communities by promoting the well-being of the campus community and offering wages and benefits that serve to compensate employees respectfully and ethically. It also states that in addition to recognizing institutions for sustainable practices, the rankings can be used by prospective students when choosing a school.
