Since the Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) first called for a campus sustainability rating system in 2006, AASHE has been creating STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, & Rating System, for colleges and universities. After three years of collaboration with numerous higher education professionals, sustainability experts, and professional organizations, AASHE has launched the STARS 1.0 Early Release at the Greening of the Campus VIII: Embracing Change.

Now that the STARS 1.0 Early Release has launched, all colleges and universities are encouraged to register for STARS 1.0 as a Charter Participant and have the opportunity to be a premier campus to participate in this program. Registration is easy through the STARS website. The STARS 1.0 Early Release Technical Manual and Credit Checklist are now available and registrants are encouraged to start collecting the documentation required for each credit. The STARS Reporting Tool will be available in January and campuses may begin uploading their data at this time.

Sign-up for STARS 1.0 before December 31, 2009 and receive a discount!

Institutions that register on or before December 31, 2009:
AASHE Member…………………$650
Non-Member……………….……$1,150

Institutions that register on or after January 1, 2010:
AASHE Member …………………$900
Non-Member ……………….……$1,400

Other FAQ’s that outline the details of the STARS program can be viewed on the STARS FAQ webpage.

In addition to FAQ’s, visit the STARS website to see the STARS timeline, access key documents, learn how to get more involved in the STARS Program, and subscribe to the STARS Update. The STARS Update is a regular communication emailed directly to your inbox and is available to anyone who may be interested in the program. Your subscription to the STARS Update will keep you up to speed on the latest news articles, resources, announcements, participant highlights, events, and more.

So what are you waiting for?! Register as a STARS Charter Participant today and share this historical achievement with AASHE, STARS, and the higher education community.

Additional questions can be directed to stars@aashe.org.

Jillian Buckholz is the STARS Program Coordinator for AASHE.