At the first sustainability committee meeting of the semester, committee members voted to focus this academic year on conducting a self-assessment of the colleges’ sustainability performance to date using the STARS framework developed by the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

AASHE describes STARS as “a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.”  AASHE’s approach to sustainability encompasses “human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations. STARS attempts to translate this broad and inclusive view of sustainability to measurable objectives at the campus level. Thus, it includes credits related to an institution’s environmental, social, and economic performance.”  The sustainability metrics allow institutions to assess their progress over time and to benchmark across institutions.  Like the LEED rating system for green buildings, STARS allows institutions to pursue credits.  An institution is rated as STARS Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum based on the percentage of credits earned out of the total number of eligible credits.

A number of other SUNY campuses have completed STARS assessments.  Fredonia and Oneonta earned bronze ratings.  Geneseo, Cortland, Brockport, University at Albany, and University at Buffalo earned silver ratings.

In the coming months, sustainability committee members will be reaching out to faculty, staff and students across the campus to learn about existing programs.  Sustainability committee members for the 2014-15 academic year include:

• Lisa Mitten, Sustainability Committee Co-Chair and Campus Sustainability Coordinator
• Rosemary Millham, Sustainability Committee Co-Chair, School of Education
• David Richardson, Science and Engineering
• Daniel Lipson, Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Andrea Frank, Fine and Performing Arts
• Michael Sheridan, School of Business
• Lauren Marcus, Library
• Brendan O’Brien, Professional Faculty
• Two student representatives, Residence Hall Students Association
• Two student representatives, Student Association
• Mike Malloy, Environmental Health and Safety
• John Shupe, Facilities Management
• Michelle Halstead, Office of the VP for Administration and Finance
• David Rooney, Office of the VP for Student Affairs

When the STARS self-assessment is complete, the college will meet its commitments as a signatory of the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment.  Two years following the submission of the Campus Sustainability Plan in December of 2012, the college is expected to provide an update to the ACUPCC.  The STARS assessment also supports SUNY New Paltz’s Strategic Plan, as many STARS metrics overlap with sustainability metrics outlined in the campus’ strategic plan.