2012 SQR Recap and a Look Ahead

This week, AASHE is proud to release its fourth STARS Quarterly Review (SQR): Recap and a Look Ahead. The winter 2012 edition of the SQR highlights two developments that took place in 2012, with a focus on how these developments relate to emerging issues in campus sustainability. In closing out the year, this edition also looks at changes that can be expected for STARS in 2013.

Latest SQR Highlights

• Universidad de Monterrey (STARS Reporter, Mexico) became the first STARS International Pilot participant to submit a report and earn a rating. The growth of STARS in the international context underscores a demand for establishing sustainability standards that are comparable worldwide.

• As STARS matures, more institutions are submitting multiple reports and using STARS as a tool for gradual improvement. Ball State University, Kankakee Community College, King’s University College, and Northern Arizona University were highlighted for recent advancements and initiatives identified in their most recent STARS reports.

• With the expected launch of STARS 2.0 in 2013, changes have been proposed that address the evolving concept of sustainability. Several proposed new credits are highlighted in the Winter SQR, including a new Curriculum credit that would encourage interdisciplinary learning, applied research, and practical work that advances sustainability.

Fall 2012 SQR Highlights
The fall edition of the SQR explores how the diversity of STARS institutions has changed over time and how participation in STARS according to institution type compares to U.S. demographics.

• Findings in this review suggest that the institutional characteristics that make higher education institutions distinct also play a role in how campuses are advancing sustainability. Special Focus institution Babson College and two-year institution Haywood Community College demonstrate that any institution type can do well in STARS if there is strong commitment to campus sustainability.

• NCAA conference rivalry is furthering sustainability on campuses through healthy competition that involves a diverse population of students. Representing four different NCAA athletic conferences, Wake Forest University, University of South Florida, Oregon State University, and Middlebury College were highlighted for best practices in sustainability.

Summer 2012 SQR Highlights
The summer edition of the SQR focuses entirely on the Innovation category, an area within STARS that recognizes innovative solutions to sustainability challenges.

• University of Alberta, California State University, Monterey Bay, and University of Saskatchewan were highlighted for submitting Innovation entries that touched on social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability.

• Interactive, web-based energy management systems were highlighted for Boston University, University Kentucky, Arizona State University, and University of Arkansas.

• Eastern Iowa Community College District, Indiana University Bloomington, Elon University, and University of Alaska Fairbanks were recognized for innovative initiatives that yielded positive measured impacts.

Spring 2012 SQR Highlights
The spring edition of the SQR features comprehensive stories to frame sustainability in higher education.

• A story focusing on Operations introduced the release of the STARS Average Scores Visualization. University of Minnesota, Morris and Cornell University were highlighted for best practices in Buildings and Energy.

• Qualitative analysis of certain STARS credits brought to light some interesting facts about the interplay of social, economic, and environmental issues. Chapman University and University of British Columbia were highlighted for initiatives that incorporated each of the three sustainability dimensions.

STARS Data in 2013 Publications
Beginning in 2013, STARS data will be presented in a variety of different AASHE publications. By incorporating STARS data together with other AASHE data in publications, sustainability issues can be analyzed using multiple data sources to provide greater context and understanding. STARS Quarterly Reviews will no longer be needed, as STARS data will be incorporated into these other AASHE publications, as well as an annual STARS report.

AASHE looks forward to pursuing these new opportunities over the coming months, and as always, we encourage members of the sustainability community to provide feedback and suggestions. Please submit any thoughts and ideas to stars@aashe.org.

Happy New Year from the AASHE team!

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