Thirty-four institutions of higher education — including Goshen College — have submitted data for a rating through STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. Launched more than a year ago by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS is the only rating system of its kind that involves public reporting of comprehensive information related to a college’s or university’s sustainability performance. Goshen College received a bronze rating along with 8 other institutions, 17 received a silver rating, and 7 received a gold rating. In addition, 1 submitted their data as a STARS Reporter indicating that they were not seeking a rating.
Check out the full list of 34 institutions, their rating and details of the scores each received. Or read Smart Planet’s article about the list.
STARS, a system that incorporates environmental, economic, and social indicators, is a self-reporting system that requires sign off by the institution’s highest ranking executive. STARS Participants have 12 months to collect their data and, once submitted, an institution receives a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Rating. The STARS Report then becomes available for viewing on the STARS website. STARS Participants report achievements in the areas of: Education & Research, Operations, and Planning, Administration & Engagement.
Unlike other rating or ranking systems, STARS is open to all institutions of higher education in the U.S. and Canada, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned for specific actions, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.