AASHE 2010 is off to a great start! With approximately 2,100 participants it is extremely exciting to be part of this event that is providing a space to further discussions on sustainability in higher education. It is particularly motivating to be part of this event as an AASHE staff person. As a STARS staff person at AASHE, I am equally as enthusiastic about the conversations occurring at AASHE 2010 around the STARS program, especially since STARS will soon be entering its second year and the first two STARS Reports have been submitted (congrats Pacific Lutheran University and Royal Roads University!).

On the opening day of the conference, 10/10/10, the STARS team hosted a workshop on the STARS program. The event had been sold out for weeks causing the STARS staff to extend the capacity to its highest limit. With over 150 attendees in the room, including representatives from the United States and Canada spanning all institution types, the workshop began with a welcome address by Bob Koester. Bob is an AASHE Board Member as well as the STARS Liaison at Ball State University. He motivated the audience by sharing the importance of the STARS program and the need for the system.

Following the welcome address was a presentation overviewing “STARS 101” by me, the STARS Program Coordinator. This presentation discussed the history of STARS, information about the structure of the STARS Technical Manual, and the credit requirements. Following this presentation, Margot Hutchins, the STARS Reporting Coordinator, gave a detailed presentation overviewing the functionality of the STARS Reporting Tool as well as the technical development of the program. The audience was very interested in the STARS Reporting Tool functionality which was apparent by the detailed questions addressed in the Q&A session following the STARS presentations.

After a short break, the program began again with institutional presentations from three STARS Charter Participants. Erik Huntsinger (Estrella Mountain Community College), Linda Kosten (University of Denver), and Bill Brown (Indiana University Bloomington), shared how the STARS program is being implemented on their respective campuses. The main points focused on data collection strategies and the teams organized to conduct this data collection. Again, the Q&A session following these three presentations discussed some great questions about implementing STARS at various institution types. The audience had several specific questions about all aspects of STARS from engaging students, gaining administrative buy-in, and developing a definition for sustainability in the curriculum. As a STARS staff person it was empowering to facilitate the discussion and experience campuses teaching each other about STARS implementation best practices.

After the Q&A following the institutional presentations, small group discussions took place at individual tables throughout the meeting space. Each table was designated as an Associate’s, Baccalaureate, Master’s, or Doctorate college or university. This designation was important so that attendees were having conversations with individuals from similar institution types. This grouping allowed individuals to share with, and learn from, people that may be enduring the same type of challenges, or celebrating the same type of successes at a common institution type. The small group discussions were aimed to develop data collection strategies and teams on individual campuses.

Each table was engaged in discussion for over 30 minutes and the conversations were respectful, thoughtful, and outcome driven. The STARS staff wondered the room as active observers, joining in on conversations or helping to facilitate discussions at a table while answering questions. Engaging in these conversations as an active observer, and listening to the thoughts, ideas, and concerns from higher education representatives, is essential for the STARS staff to reconnect with the needs of individuals utilizing the STARS program. This feedback is imperative for the STARS program to continue on a path of success and use this feedback to further develop the system. After all, STARS was built by higher education for higher education.

The workshop concluded with a brief report out from each table, sharing lessons learned and best practices discussed by their institution type. From here there was a brief closing address followed by time for networking, allowing individuals to continue the conversations they had started about implementing STARS at their campuses.

For me, it is incredibly valuable to hear back from individuals working on campuses across the United States and Canada about their needs when it comes to the STARS program. Organizing, facilitating, and participating in the STARS Workshop was eye-opening for me, and I hope it was for the participants as well. I look forward to taking the feedback from this session to further develop the STARS program with the STARS staff. The goal here is to work with higher education to enhance the STARS system and make it a system that will fulfill the needs of individuals that implement the program as well as continue to share sustainability metrics that will further institutional sustainability efforts.

Even though the workshop has concluded, feedback about the STARS program is always welcome. Please contact stars@aashe.org. I look forward to the next STARS Workshop at AASHE 2011 next October in Pittsburgh, PA!