Butler University has earned a Gold rating through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a nationally recognized framework administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for measuring sustainability performance in higher education. 

In its latest report, Butler achieved a 68.11 overall score, reflecting sustained progress across academics, campus engagement, and operations. The University’s performance highlights a campus-wide commitment to integrating sustainability into both the student experience and institutional decision-making.   

That commitment is especially evident in Butler’s perfect score in Innovation & Leadership, a distinction that underscores the University’s focus on advancing new ideas, partnerships, and solutions that extend beyond campus boundaries.   

“This achievement represents years of intentional effort across campus,” Julia Angstmann, Executive Director of Sustainability, said. “It’s not just one program or one department—it’s faculty, staff, and students all contributing in meaningful ways.” 

Butler President James Danko views the achievement as part of a broader institutional commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving world. 

“Sustainability is not a separate initiative at Butler—it is embedded in how we think about our campus, our curriculum, and our responsibility to the communities we serve,” Danko said. “This recognition reflects that broader commitment and our focus on building a future that is both innovative and responsible—preparing students to lead in a world where sustainability is essential to progress.” 

From the classroom to the broader community, sustainability at Butler is embedded in how students learn, how faculty teach, and how the University operates. Academic programs continue to expand opportunities for students to engage with real-world environmental and social challenges, while campus-wide efforts—from energy and waste reduction to employee engagement programs—create a culture where small actions scale into meaningful impact. 

Julie Lindeman, Assistant Director of Operational Sustainability, sees the recognition as both a milestone and a motivator. 

“It affirms the progress we’ve made,” she said, “but it also challenges us to keep pushing forward—to continue finding new ways to embed sustainability into the Butler experience.” 

Through initiatives like the Green Office and Green Event Certification programs, faculty and staff are active participants in advancing sustainability goals, reinforcing a shared responsibility across the Butler community.   

Guided by its Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, Butler has also established clear, measurable goals, including long-term commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.   

At Butler, sustainability is not just a measure of progress—it is a shared commitment to shaping what comes next.