UNLV starts new green grading system

February 8, 2010 by Maddie Edgerton 

Council implements self-reporting sustainability rubric

The UNLV Sustainability Council has agreed to switch to a plan that will provide new quantitative feedback on how to make the university greener.

The Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating Systems is a “Self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to gauge relative progress toward sustainability,” according to the STARS Web site.

Universities can earn credits in categories like education and research, operations, planning and administration and engagement.

Credits are used to place schools in a rating level, which include STARS bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Each level demonstrates sustainability leadership and completion of the complicated rating process.

Thomas Piechota, co-chair of the committee and director of sustainability and multidisciplinary research, said, “The purpose of the council is to provide a place where people can exchange sustainability information and analyze serious issues such as greenhouse gas inventories.”

In addition, the council was designed to report and answer questions regarding sustainability programs and efforts on campus. This includes water and waste reduction, educational programs and current research the university is doing.

The council oversees working groups assigned to focus on improving sustainability programs like recycling, the renewable energy minor and the urban sustainability initiative.

“The council takes these programs and issues seriously,” Piechota said. “Campuses are graded in terms of what they are doing about sustainability issues.”

The council introduced a new rating system provided by the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, which the university will implement.

“Do I think we are going to be platinum rating level? No, but at least we can see how to improve,” said Tara Pike, co-chair of the committee and sustainability coordinator.

Ratings are valid for three years and institutions can request a new rating after that time period.

In addition, campuses with ratings are privileged to use the STARS logo with their rating level on their Web site and printed materials.

The university adopted the STARS program because of complications with previous rating systems.

“In the past, we used college sustainability report cards, which were very subjective. It was unclear how [UNLV] could move up and improve within the rating system,” Pike said.

The method behind the STARS program is fully transparent.

“This means you can see exactly how each participating institution received its score and what your institution needs to do to improve,” the program’s Web site explains.

The system also accounts for different types of universities including community colleges and research institutions.

Piechota believes the STARS program is a move in the right direction.

“If the STARS program has a research category but not all schools have sustainability research programs, the system does not penalize the school,” Piechota said. “Overall, the new system is more quantitative,” he added.

The council will meet on Feb. 19 to further discuss and organize the working groups and present the opportunity for undergraduates to share research on current studies regarding greenhouse gas emissions.

The UNLV Sustainability Council is comprised of 13 members including graduate and undergraduate students, planning and construction, research and operation coordinators. Members are appointed by the President’s Advisory Task Force.