The STARS Program AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System

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

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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

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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 Timeline*STARS 2.0 estimated to launch in 2013*Continuous research since Oct. 2006 to further develop STARS credits

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STARS 1.1 is launched.

2012

2011 2010 2009 2008 20072006

STARS 1.2 is launched.

STARS 1.0 is launched.

STARS Pilot Program ends.

STARS 0.4 is launched.

STARS Pilot Program begins.

STARS 0.5 is launched.

The Higher Education Associations’ Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) called upon AASHE to create a campus sustainability assessment tool.

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Headline is 24 pt Aller Bold and may be up totwo lines longA subhead may be used if needed and is 18 pt AllerFirst level body content is 16 pt Aller and may be made bold as a lead statement

Normal first level copy is 16 pt Aller.

• Second level is bulleted and 16 pt Aller– Third level text is dashed and 14 pt Aller• Fourth level 12 pt Aller- Fifth level 12 pt Aller

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Collaboration vs. Competition• Rating NOT Ranking• STARS focuses on sharing sustainability information• Created in collaboration with 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

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STARS Credits

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Credit Outline

1. 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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ER = 20 pts.

OP = 40 pts.

PAE = 30 pts.

Average = 30 pts.+ 2 Innovation pts.

Total = 32 pts.STARS Bronze!

Final score calculated by average of 3 categories plus total Innovation Credits.

Highest possible score is 104

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

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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

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Flexibility Recognition Incremental progress

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STARS Process Step-by-Step

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1. Register at stars.aashe.org

2. Compile required documentation as noted in the STARS Technical Manual and Reporting Tool

3. Submit for a STARS rating

4. Share your story

5. Renew participation in STARS

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

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Availability of STARS Data

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Accuracy of STARS Data

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There 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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Timeline

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Submission of first STARS Report is encouraged within one year.

A STARS subscription is 12-months.

STARS ratings are valid for three years.

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Benefits of Participating

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• 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?

stars.aashe.org

• 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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STARS Registration Fees

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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STARS Governance Structure

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STARS Founding Partners & Partner Organizations

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Questions

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1) Email [email protected]

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)