After several weeks of editing text and updating code, and countless discussions with Technical Advisors, AASHE launched STARS 1.1 on February 9th. This version of STARS includes what we call “minor substantive changes.” This means that a few credits have been restructured (OP credit 6: Food and Beverage Purchasing, for example), but we have not added or deleted credits or changed the points allocated to specific credits. We have also attempted to clarify many of the credits and corrected grammar, mechanics, and formatting issues.
The release of 1.1 highlights two of the fundamental principles of STARS that I think are extraordinary strengths of the program. One is a belief in a process of continuous improvement, with a willingness to seek out feedback. We recognize that STARS is not perfect and even if it was perfect, it would become imperfect over time with changes in technology, values and beliefs. Many of the changes we have made to STARS come from concerns, questions, and suggestions that were raised by STARS Participants, Technical Advisors and our Steering Committee. Thanks to everyone that has participated in the process. As a bit of encouragement to those who haven’t participated thus far, please feel free to share your thoughts about STARS by emailing us at stars@aashe.org.
The other principle that seems to make STARS stand out is transparency. Not only can you look at a record of the changes we have made to the system, you can also download the complete STARS Technical Manual and a Credit Checklist and determine how many points you would earn in STARS – without paying a dime. Of course, to earn a STARS Rating and gain access to the Reporting Tool (which, by the way, is an awesome way to track your data) an institution would need to first register for STARS. However, the resources that are available to anyone with an interest and an internet connection are impressive. (You might also want to check out the STARS Reports of the institutions that have already submitted for a Rating.)
As excited as we are about the changes we’ve made for STARS 1.1, we know we still have a lot of work to do! In the STARS Technical Development Process (which is, of course available online), “major revisions” are the next level of change after “minor revisions.” If you have made a suggestion for credit improvements and haven’t seen it implemented, it may be that the change was deemed too significant for the minor revisions in STARS 1.1 and that we are working to include your suggestion in STARS 2.0. Although we will likely make administrative changes and possibly even another set of minor changes before we are ready for “major” change, we are thinking about what those major changes might look like. In fact, less than 24 hours after we released STARS 1.1, we were brainstorming for STARS 2.0. (Don’t worry. We don’t expect to release this version of STARS for quite some time.)
I would like to congratulate AASHE and the STARS Team for the progress we have made so far and the exciting changes to come. Good work!
