Credit Language
AC 7: Center for Sustainability Research – Version 3.0
Indicators
- 7.1 Organized sustainability research center, institute, or unit
Questions & Answers
How has this credit changed between STARS Version 2 and Version 3?
This is a new area of recognition, and has not been covered in prior versions. A comprehensive list of differences can be found in the STARS 3.0 Summary of changes.
How do we determine if our center(s) qualify for full points under this credit?
To qualify as sustainability-focused, a research center or institute must have a primary and explicit focus on the concept of sustainability, the interdependence of ecological and social/cultural/economic systems, and/or multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges. Such a focus is typically apparent in publicly available information about the center/institute.
Partial points can be earned when centers or institutes are in place that are not sustainability-focused but have produced sustainability research.
Suggestions for Institutions
- Provide additional recognition for sustainability research by listing the name, public URL, and a short description for each sustainability-focused research center or institute. AASHE periodically adds centers/institutes that are summarized in STARS reports to the Campus Sustainability Resource Hub.
Potential Data Quality Issues
- To earn full points, there must be indication of one or more sustainability-focused research centers or institutes that have a primary and explicit focus on the concept of sustainability, the interdependence of ecological and social/cultural/economic systems, and/or multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges.
- Partial points can be earned when centers or institutes are in place that are not sustainability-focused, but periodically produce sustainability related research.