COMMITMENT & INTEGRITY DRIVE RESULTS University of Massachusetts Lowell Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Overview March 28, 2014

COMMITMENT & INTEGRITY DRIVE RESULTS Setting the Stage ▀ There are Many Rating Systems for University Sustainability Programs ▀ Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (STARS), ▀ The Princeton Review (Green Honor Roll), ▀ Sustainable Endowments Institute (The College Sustainability Report Card) ▀ These Systems are Going Beyond “Sustainability” to Incorporate Energy and Climate Components ▀ There are Benefits to Active Participation

COMMITMENT & INTEGRITY DRIVE RESULTS Benefits to Green Rating System Participation ▀ Visibility for Your Accomplishments (Self Marketing) ▀ Recruiting Tool for Faculty, Staff and Students ▀ Public Statement of Your Commitment ▀ Contributes to Public Perception ▀ Other Schools are Doing It, Including Your Sister Schools ▀ UMass Amherst – 1 of 22 schools on the 2014 Green Honor Roll, STARS Gold (<20% of schools submitting receive a gold rating)

COMMITMENT & INTEGRITY DRIVE RESULTS What is STARS? The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance ▀ Provide a framework for understanding sustainability in all sectors of higher education. ▀ Enable meaningful comparisons across institutions using a common set of measurements. ▀ A tool to use to develop focused strategies for advancement and identify areas of improvement. ▀ Ratings of Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Can Be Achieved

COMMITMENT & INTEGRITY DRIVE RESULTS ▀ All Other UMass Campuses are Participating ▀ You are in Control of Submitting the Required Information ▀ It will Give UML a Framework to Support Future Planning efforts, Identify Areas of Improvement, and Be a Tool to Gain Support for a Comprehensive Effort ▀ UML will Do Well in Many of the STARS Categories ▀ It is Integrated With Other Programs - ▀ Register for STARS 2.0 and submit your data by May 1, 2014 to be included in Sierra’s “Cool Schools” list or Feb. 28, 2014 f or The Princeton Review's “Guide to Green Colleges.” Why Consider STARS?

COMMITMENT & INTEGRITY DRIVE RESULTS

▀ For the Short-Term Use the STARS Framework as a Reference, but Don’t Officially Join ▀ Select Specific Categories to Examine & Understand What Your Rating Might Be ▀ Address Areas of Improvement ▀ Incorporate STARS Principals in the Web Site Content ▀ Consider Joining in 2015 Suggested Path Forward