stars.aashe.org

The STARS ProgramAASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System

stars.aashe.org

stars.aashe.org

About AASHE• A North American association of

colleges & universities working to create a sustainable future. Over 1000 campus members.

• Professional home for campus sustainability officers.

• Mission: Empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation

stars.aashe.org

What is STARS?• A voluntary, self-reporting framework• A guide for advancing sustainability in all

sectors of higher education.• A common standard of measurement for

sustainability in higher education.• A tool that promotes a comprehensive

understanding of sustainability that includes its social, economic and environmental dimensions.

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Why is STARS Needed?

• “You can only manage what you can measure.”

• Sustainability is a new frontier with few established metrics. A standard framework for measuring success is needed.

• STARS is a broad-based, stakeholder-designed, tested framework.

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STARS Background• In 2006, the Higher Education Associations’

Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) called upon AASHE to create a campus sustainability assessment tool.

• STARS versions:– STARS 0.4 (Sept. 07)– STARS 0.5 (Aug. 08)– STARS Pilot (2008)– STARS 1.0 (Sept. 09)– STARS 1.1 (Feb. 11)– STARS 1.2 (Feb. 12)

• All versions of STARS have been shared with the higher education community for suggestions on how to enhance the tool to better fit the needs of the community.

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Collaboration vs. Competition

• STARS is a rating system, NOT a ranking system

• STARS provides a venue to share best practices and learn from other institutions

• STARS was created by the higher education community for the higher education community

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Who can Participate?• Any higher education institution in the US and Canada• International institutions are encouraged to participate

in the STARS International Pilot• Do not have to be a member of AASHE• College districts or university systems – If a university system registers, individual campuses within

that system may still register for STARS.

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Categories

• Education and Research

• Operations• Planning,

Administration, & Engagement

• Innovation

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Sub-Categories

• Education & Research– Co-Curricular Education; Curriculum; Research

• Operations– Buildings; Climate; Dining Services; Energy; Grounds;

Purchasing; Transportation; Waste; Water

• Planning, Administration & Engagement– Coordination & Planning; Diversity and Affordability;

Human Resources; Investment; Public Engagement

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Credit Outline1.Credit Rationale

2.Criteria

3.Applicability

4.Scoring

5.Reporting Fields

6.Measurement

7.Standards & Terms

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Scoring

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Innovation Credits

Recognize …• Creative and innovative strategies

implemented on campuses• Areas where a campus has exceeded

credit criteria• Letter of affirmation required

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STARS Ratings

Rating Level Minimum Score Required STARS Bronze 25 STARS Silver 45 STARS Gold 65 STARS Platinum 85

STARS ReporterFor institutions that wish to use STARS and submit data publicly but are not

pursuing a rating

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STARS Reporter

Flexibility Recognition

Incremental progress

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STARS Process Step-by-Step1. Register at stars.aashe.org2. Compile required documentation as noted in

the STARS Technical Manual and Reporting Tool

3. Submit for a STARS rating4. Share your story5. Renew participation in STARS

Note: a STARS rating is valid for 3 years before it expires

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Availability of STARS Data

• STARS data will become public upon submission

• Not all credits have to be pursued if an institution does not want to share data publicly, but no points will be earned for these credits

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Accuracy of STARS DataThere are three ways to ensure STARS data are accurate:1.A Responsible Party is required to sign off on each individual credit.2.The President or Chancellor is required to submit a letter with the STARS submission verifying the accuracy of the information. 3.All information institutions share will be posted publicly on AASHE's website.

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STARS Timeline

• Participating institutions have one year to submit their STARS data.

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Benefits of Participating

• Earn recognition • Streamline reporting• Benchmark with peers• Collaborate across campus• Access to the online Reporting Tool• Save time and money in developing

a sustainability plan or report

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How is STARS Different?

• Open to any institution of higher education

• Only offers positive recognition• Transparent • Self-assessment • Encompasses sustainability, not just

environmental indicators• Created by the higher education

community

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How much does it cost?New Registrants:

AASHE Member …………………$900Non-Member ……………….……$1,400International Pilot Participants....….Free

Renewing Participants:

AASHE Member …………………$450Non-Member ……………….……$700

Register on-line at stars.aashe.org

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Governance

• AASHE Board of Directors

• STARS Steering Committee

• Partner Organizations

• Technical Advisors

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STARS Founding Partners & Partner Organizations

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Questions?1) Email stars@aashe.org

2) Call (303) 395 1332

3) Subscribe to the STARS Update & AASHE Bulletin (www.aashe.org/user/newsletters)

4) Post a question to the AASHE Campus Sustainability Discussion Forums (www.aashe.org/forums)

5) Post to the Campus Sustainability Perspectives Blog (www.aashe.org/blog)