All STARS Reports are public. AASHE believes that transparency is a key component in communicating sustainability claims. As a result, information submitted through STARS is made available in the following formats: STARS Reports (publicly accessible) Benchmarking Tool (accessible to AASHE members) Content Displays (accessible to AASHE members and STARS subscribers)
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How often can we submit a STARS report?
A STARS report and rating remains valid for three years; however, institutions are welcome to re-submit before the end of that timeframe. Some participants choose to maintain a full access subscription and submit for a new rating each year in an effort to more closely track their progress. Other institutions elect to submit unscored reports […]
Can I submit a report under an older version of STARS?
An institution must submit under the current version of STARS, with one exception. A institution that is working in one version when a new one is released has a full calendar year during which it may submit under either version. Superseded versions of STARS are phased out in this manner to reduce the fragmentation of […]
What happens after we submit our STARS report?
As soon as you submit the report, it will be locked. Unscored reports (STARS Reporter submissions) are published right away. Submissions for a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum rating are reviewed by AASHE staff for accuracy and consistency before the report is published and a rating is awarded. Submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. […]
How long is a STARS report or rating valid?
STARS reports and ratings are valid for three years. After that point, a report will still be publicly accessible, but the scores and rating associated with it are removed. If the institution hasn’t submitted a more recent report, the STARS website will list the institution’s rating as “expired” (scroll down the Participants & Reports page […]
How many total points are available in STARS?
The total points available depends on each institution’s context and which credits are applicable to it. Certain credits (e.g., Biodiversity and Water Use) have a range of points available depending on the characteristics of the institution. In addition, many credits may be marked as Not Applicable by certain institutions, which will reduce the number of total points […]
Do we have to use the same baseline year for all credits?
No, you are welcome to choose the baseline that you feel is most appropriate for each credit. However, we do encourage institutions to stick with the baseline they’ve chosen for subsequent reports to provide continuity for benchmarking purposes. A baseline year may be any year from 2005 to the present OR a year, 1990 to 2004, […]
Can we resubmit data from a previous STARS submission?
Yes, you are welcome to submit the same information as long as it still meets the credit criteria and falls within the specified timeframe (as outlined in the Measurement section of each credit). When you publish a STARS report, all of your institution’s information will automatically be copied into a fresh submission set for editing. […]
Can we include data from activities that take place outside the academic year (e.g., during the summer)?
Yes, you can include any activities that were conducted within the specified timeframe for the credit you are working on (regardless of the time of year, such as summer, fall or spring).For instance, many credits ask about programs or initiatives that have taken place in the last three years. This allows you to report anything […]
What does “performance year” mean?
The Measurement section of each STARS credit specifies a timeframe from which reported information may be drawn (see the STARS Technical Manual). For some credits, particularly those that are based on the presence of a policy or program, institutions are asked to report on current practices (i.e., status at the time of reporting). Other credits, […]