A Comparative Tool for Evaluating Campus Sustainability Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Erik Foley, MBA Manager of Sustainability Penn State University

Goals of STARS Provide 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 sharing Build a stronger, more diverse campus sustainability community

Elements of STARS Checklist of indicators (similar to LEED) Two tiers of indicators Thresholds of achievement Guidance and resources Comprehensive – all campus sectors Transparency (public reporting and access) Outside certification optional Rating good for 3 years

Background of STARS Created 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 Credits Education & Research(100 points) Operations(100 points) Planning, Administration (100 points) & Engagement

Rating v. Assessment Assessment: Evaluation of many sustainability practices Able to compare individual metrics No aggregation Rating: Aggregation of many sustainability indicators Point values assigned to allow aggregating Total score (single metric) determines “rating”

Why “Rating” Not “Ranking”? A rating system: Allows for more in depth questions Provides a clear standard, while ranking creates a moving target Generally more transparent Only gives positive recognition Can be self-funding More inclusive

Category 1: Education & Research Credit areas: Co-curricular Education Curriculum Research

Category 1: Education & Research Sample: 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 Areas Buildings Climate Dining Services Energy Grounds Purchasing Transportation Waste Water

Category 2: Operations Sample: 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 & Engagement Credit areas: Coordination & Planning Diversity and Affordability Human Resources Investment Public Engagement

Category 3: Planning, Administration & Engagement Sample: 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: AASHE STARS staff: Manager – Meghan Fay Coordinator -Jillian Buckholz Technical Development - Laura Matson