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A Comparative Tool forEvaluating Campus Sustainability
www.aashe.org/stars
Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)
Erik Foley, MBAManager of Sustainability
Penn State University
Goals of STARSProvide a guide for advancing
sustainability in all sectors of higher education
Enable meaningful comparisons across and within institutions
Create incentives for continual improvement
Facilitate information sharingBuild a stronger, more diverse campus
sustainability community
Elements of STARSChecklist of indicators (similar to LEED)Two tiers of indicatorsThresholds of achievementGuidance and resources Comprehensive – all campus sectorsTransparency (public reporting and
access)Outside certification optionalRating good for 3 years
Background of STARSCreated using sustainability reports and
indicator tools from industry, higher education and government
Research and Development of STARS took 3 years
Has been tested by 70 institutions whose feedback was incorporated into the current version STARS 1.0
Categories of CreditsEducation & Research (100
points)
Operations (100 points)
Planning, Administration (100 points)& Engagement
Rating v. AssessmentAssessment:
Evaluation of many sustainability practices
Able to compare individual metrics No aggregation
Rating:Aggregation of many sustainability indicators
Point values assigned to allow aggregatingTotal score (single metric) determines “rating”
Why “Rating” Not “Ranking”?
A rating system:Allows for more in depth questionsProvides a clear standard, while
ranking creates a moving targetGenerally more transparentOnly gives positive recognitionCan be self-fundingMore inclusive
Category 1: Education & Research
Credit areas:
Co-curricular Education
Curriculum
Research
Category 1: Education & ResearchSample: Sustainability-Focused
Courses (10 points)Credit Rationale“This credit recognizes institutions that offer academic courses focused on
sustainability. . .”
Scoring“Institutions earn the maximum of 10 points for this credit if sustainability-
courses comprise 10 percent or more of all courses offered. . .Points are calculated [using this equation]. . .”
100 x # of Sustainability-Focused Courses ÷ Total # of Courses =
Reporting Fields Number of Sustainability-Focused Courses Total Number of Courses An indication of whether data cover one, two or three years
Category 2: Operations
Credit AreasBuildings
Climate
Dining Services
Energy
Grounds
Purchasing
Transportation
Waste
Water
Category 2: OperationsSample: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Reduction (14
points)Credit Rationale“This credit recognizes institutions that have reduced their greenhouse gas
emissions [compared to a 2005 baseline].”
Scoring“Institutions earn the maximum of 14 points. . .by achieving climate neutrality.
Incremental points are awarded for reducing GHG emissions compared to the 2005 baseline [ex. a 50 percent reduction would result in 7 points].”
Points Earned = 14 x {[(A/B) – (C/D)] / (A/B)}
A = GHG baseline emissions (2005) B = campus users (2005)C = GHG emissions (performance year-PY) D = campus users (PY)
Category 3: Planning, Administration & EngagementCredit areas:
Coordination & Planning
Diversity and Affordability
Human Resources
Investment
Public Engagement
Category 3: Planning, Administration & EngagementSample: Strategic Plan (6 points)Credit Rationale“This credit recognizes institutions that have made a formal,
substantive commitment to sustainability by including it in their strategic plan. . .”
Scoring“Institutions earn the maximum of 6 points for including the economic,
social and environmental dimensions of sustainability at a high level in the strategic plan. . .”
Reporting Fields Indicate whether your institution meets this credit Year the strategic plan was adopted Affirmation of the accuracy of submitted information
Get Involved in STARS
Review the Technical Manual and Checklist
Register
Information at: www.aashe.org/stars
AASHE STARS staff:Manager – Meghan Fay [email protected] Coordinator -Jillian Buckholz
[email protected] Technical Development - Laura Matson
