Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, & Rating System
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, & Rating System (STARS) is a voluntary, self-reporting framework established by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) to recognize and gauge relative progress toward sustainability by colleges and universities.
Institutions earn points in four main credit categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration. Each of these categories includes subcategories such as Purchasing, Curriculum, Energy, and Human Resources. A fifth credit category in Innovation recognizes pioneering practices which aren’t covered by the other STARS credits.
- ACADEMIC CREDITS include areas related to the institutions curriculum and research.
- ENGAGEMENT CREDITS include areas related to campus engagement and public engagement.
- OPERATIONS CREDITS include areas related to Air and Climate, Buildings, Dining Services, Energy, Grounds, Purchasing, Transportation, Waste and Water.
- PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION CREDITS include areas related to Coordination, Planning & Governance, Diversity & Affordability, Health, Wellbeing & Work, and Investment.
- INNOVATION CREDITS
More information on AASHE and STARS can be found at http://stars.aashe.org/