STARS

STARS

In the true spirit of the Olympics, it’s time once again to go for the GOLD (and perhaps even platinum)!

The STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) is an accreditation program through the Association of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Reviews occur every three years, and Iowa State has achieved Gold ratings in each of the past three reviews. While Gold is outstanding, we’re setting our sites on achieving Platinum – the STARS program’s highest rating.

Sustainability is a common thread that binds many of our research efforts, faculty and staff across disciplines and around campus. We want to make sure your amazing efforts are thoroughly credited and accounted. This is particularly important in this year’s review because AASHE has modified the STARS reporting categories and is requiring more information than in previous years. In addition, the STARS program has developed a new definition for sustainability research and scholarship to test against:

“Sustainability research is research and scholarship that explicitly addresses the concept of sustainability, furthers our understanding of the interdependence of ecological and social/economic systems, or has a primary and explicit focus on major sustainability challenge.”

We know there are many exciting and important activities and initiatives taking place that meet this standard, and we want to make sure your efforts are counted. If you have any work that aligns with the definition above, please complete the data collection form HERE by March 15, 2022. If you’re uncertain your work meets the outlined definition, please submit it and we’ll review. We want to account for any and all work that even partially aligns with the STARS definition of sustainability research and scholarship. Finally, if you have any questions, please contact me or Merry Rankin, the director of our Office of Sustainability.

Thank you for your commitment and creativity in making Iowa State a leader in sustainability research and your commitment in making our state, nation and world more sustainable. And thanks for your support in this important program. Together, we can again put Iowa State atop the medal stand!

Name*

Please provide full name

Email address*

Department

Check all that apply.

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Research Interest/Topics

Provide brief description of your research interests or topics

URL

Add URL here if applicable.

Research/Scholarship Activity

Briefly describe your research/scholarship activity.

Does any of your sustainability research pertain to campus operations or student engagement?

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Please describe your sustainability research pertaining to campus operations or student engagements.

Is there specific sustainability training in your lab or courses you instruct for employees or students?

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Please dscribe your training.

Are you using campus as a living laboratory?

Definition: utilizing campus infrastructure and operations as living environments for multidisciplinary learning and applied research that advances sustainability on campus.

Select

Please describe your living lab space.

Do you or your team engage in any community activities or public engagement related to sustainability?

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Please describe your community activities or public engagements related to sustainability.

Is there any other information/activity related to sustainability that you would like to highlight within Iowa State University's submission?

(professional memberships, presentations, collaborations, etc.)

Thank you for providing this information to us! The STARS program is an important part of ISU's Live Green! Initiative, and campus priority efforts in working toward a sustainable future.

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