Along with over 200 other institutions of higher education across the country, the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus will sign up as a STARS participant in 2011. This process will be comprehensive and the Administration will solicit support from respective departments for an effective and successful implementation. This document explains the three STARS categories, identifies the process for the STARS implementation and suggests resources that will be needed for collecting, verifying and reporting accurate data in order to receive a STARS rating.
STARS CATEGORIES
There are three categories, with designated sub-categories in which the University will submit data in order to collect points for a rating. Each category has 100 possible points that can be earned. The STARS rating is based on an averaged score of the three categories plus appropriate innovation points. Ratings range from 25 – 85 possible points; schools receive bronze (25 points), silver (45), gold (65) and platinum (85+) awards. Schools may submit data every two years to earn a new rating.
I. EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
a. Co-curricular education: student sustainability outreach campaign, sustainability in new student orientation, sustainability outreach and publications, student group, themed housing
b. Curriculum: sustainability course identification, sustainability courses by department, undergraduate program in sustainability, graduate program in sustainability
c. Research: sustainability research identification, faculty involved in sustainability research, interdisciplinary research in tenure and promotions
II. OPERATIONS
a. Buildings: Operations & maintenance, design and construction, indoor air quality
b. Climate: Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory, GHG Reductions
c. Dining: Food purchasing, recycled/reusable materials
d. Energy: Building energy consumption, renewable energy, light sensors, LED lighting, energy management system
e. Grounds: Pest management, native plants, snow removal
f. Purchasing: Computer purchasing, cleaning products, office paper
g. Transportation: Campus fleet, student/employee commute modal split, bicycle facilities, mass transit, carpool matching, carpool discount
h. Waste: Waste reduction/diversion, construction waste diversion, hazardous waste management
i. Water: Water consumption, stormwater management, xeriscaping
III. PLANNING, ADMINISTRATION AND ENGAGEMENT
a. Coordination and Planning: Sustainability coordinator, strategic plan, climate plan
b. Diversity and Affordability: Diversity and equity coordination, measuring diversity, affordability and access programs, employee training opportunities
c. Human Resources: Sustainable compensation, sustainability in new employee orientation
d. Investment: Committee on socially responsible investment, shareholder advocacy, positive sustainability investments, socially responsible investment policy
e. Engagement: Community sustainability partnerships, inter-campus collaboration, community service participation, farmer’s market
PROCESS PHASES
I. PLANNING – analyze applicable STARS credits, set goals and objectives, identify people as resources, establish timelines and milestones, frontload baseline/boilerplate data in reporting tool.
II. KNOWLEDGE BASE – introduce and educate contributors to STARS and reporting tool, engage in process through delegation of responsibility and periodic communications; set up face-to-face meetings. Draft definitions.
III. DATA GATHERING – multi-faceted, dedicated and adaptive approach (learn by doing); Trust but verify. Decentralize data collection effort and responsibility to staffers in appropriate departments. Internal workshop to assure understanding of STARS and reporting tool.
IV. CLOSING – employ a team with results orientation and focused on completion, verification and precision. Find fresh eyes. Collect initial “gap” data.
RESOURCES
The university will have one year to collect, finalize and report data for a STARS rating from the date of signing up. As mentioned, this process will be comprehensive and take the majority of the year in order to allow responsible reporting parties the time that will be needed and to insure as complete of a submission as possible. Responsibility for managing the process in a concrete timeframe and for verifying final submissions will fall upon the Sustainability Officer, student sustainability staff and members of the Chancellor’s Task Force on Sustainability. Other faculty and staff in relevant departments will be asked to assist in the data gathering and reporting to the STARS tool.
I. TIME COMMITMENTS
a. Sustainability Officer: 10 – 20 hours per week
b. Student staff (2): 10 - 15 hours per week
c. Task Force Members: 10 - 20 hours over six months
d. Identified Resource Faculty/Staff*: 6 – 12 hours over 6 months (*to be identified by Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and appropriate department heads)
e. Support Staff: as needed, 5 hours over 6 months