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

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

2. 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

3. 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. stars.aashe.org

4. 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. stars.aashe.org

5. STARS Timeline*STARS 2.0 estimated to launch in 2013*Continuous research since Oct. 2006 to further develop STARS credits 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2006 STARS 1.0 is launched. The Higher Education Associations’ Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) called upon AASHE to create a campus sustainability assessment tool. STARS 1.2 is launched. STARS Pilot Program ends. STARS Pilot Program begins. STARS 0.5 is launched. STARS 1.1 is launched. STARS 0.4 is launched. stars.aashe.org

6. Headline is 24 pt Aller Bold and may be up totwo lines longA subhead may be used if needed and is 18 pt Aller • First 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 Collaboration vs. Competition Rating NOT Ranking STARS focuses on sharing sustainability information Created in collaboration with the higher education community stars.aashe.org

7. 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 stars.aashe.org

8. STARS Credits stars.aashe.org

9. Credit Outline • Credit Rationale • Criteria • Applicability • Scoring • Reporting Fields • Measurement • Standards & Terms stars.aashe.org

10. Scoring ER = 20 pts. OP = 40 pts. PAE = 30 pts. • 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 Average = 30 pts. + 2 Innovation pts. Total = 32 pts. STARS Bronze! stars.aashe.org

11. STARS Ratings stars.aashe.org

12. STARS Reporter • Flexibility • Recognition • Incremental progress stars.aashe.org

13. STARS Process Step-by-Step • Register at stars.aashe.org • Compile required documentation as noted in the STARS Technical Manual and Reporting Tool • Submit for a STARS rating • Share your story • Renew participation in STARS • Note: a STARS rating is valid for 3 years before it expires stars.aashe.org

14. Availability of STARS Data stars.aashe.org

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

16. Timeline A STARS subscription is 12-months. Submission of first STARS Report is encouraged within one year. STARS ratings are valid for three years. stars.aashe.org

17. 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 stars.aashe.org

18. 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 stars.aashe.org

19. STARS Registration Fees New Registrants:AASHE Member ……………………………..$900Non-Member ……………….……………..…$1,400 International Pilot Participants....….Free Renewing Participants: AASHE Member …………………………..…$450Non-Member ……………….………………..$700 Register on-line at stars.aashe.org stars.aashe.org

20. STARS Governance Structure stars.aashe.org

21. STARS Founding Partners & Partner Organizations stars.aashe.org

22. Questions • Email stars@aashe.org • Call (303) 395 1332 • Subscribe to the STARS Update & AASHE Bulletin (www.aashe.org/user/newsletters) • Post a question to the AASHE Campus Sustainability Discussion Forums (www.aashe.org/forums) • Post to the Campus Sustainability Perspectives Blog (www.aashe.org/blog) stars.aashe.org