Credit Language
PRE 1: Executive Letter – Version 3.0
Questions & Answers
How has this credit changed between STARS Version 2 and Version 3?
Minimal changes. A comprehensive list of differences can be found in the STARS 3.0 Summary of changes.
Is an executive letter required?
An executive letter is required for institutions that are submitting a scored report for a rating. A new executive letter is expected when there has been a change in leadership or the institution is
submitting for a higher rating. Otherwise, the same letter may be used for more than one submission.
What is the best way to obtain an executive letter for our STARS submission?
Acquiring an executive letter may take some time. AASHE encourages institutions to notify the administration about this requirement several months prior to the anticipated date of submission. When uploading this letter in the STARS Reporting Tool, PDF format is required.
Suggestions for Institutions
- Best practice suggestion: Secure a letter from the highest ranking executive (e.g., President/Chancellor) to indicate that sustainability and STARS are institutional priorities.
- A placeholder from non-executive staff may be submitted while an executive letter is pending.
Potential Data Quality Issues
- The letter should be from a top administrator (e.g., Vice President, President, Provost, etc.).