Reaching for the STARS:

Sustainability at UT Knoxville

Matthew Freda, Jenica Nelson, Maria Rosales

With Gordie Bennett

stars.aashe.org
 What is STARS?

Sustainability
Tracking
Assessment &
Rating
System
 Why is STARS Needed?
•
“You can only manage what you can
measure.”

•
Establishes framework for measuring success

•
Enables comparisons with other institutions
 STARS Ratings

Rating Level Minimum Score Required

STARS Bronze 25
STARS Silver 45
STARS Gold 65
STARS Platinum 85
For institutions that wish to use STARS
STARS Reporter and submit data publicly but are not
pursuing a rating
 STARS Categories
1. Education & Research

1. Operations

1. Planning, Administration,
& Engagement

1. Innovation
 Data & Collection Methods

• Fiscal Year 2009-2010

• Only UT Knoxville, not UT System
• Collection Methods:
• UTK Website
• Emails
• Phone Calls
• Personal Meetings
Curriculum
 Sustainability Courses
•
Tracked ‘related’ and ‘focused’ courses

•
2010-11 course catalogues

•
Faculty input solicited via email

•
133 related, 106 focused courses
 Curriculum Credits, cont.
• Sustainability Learning Outcomes

• Undergrad/Grad Program in Sustainability

• Sustainability Immersive Experience

• Sustainability Literacy Assessment (n/a)

• Incentives for Developing Sustainability Courses

Research
 Research Credits
• Sustainability Research Identification
• Faculty Involved in Sustainability Research
• Departments Involved in Sustainability
Research
• Sustainability Research Incentives
• Interdisciplinary Research in Tenure and
Promotion
Transportation
Transportation
• Bike Sharing
 
• Mass Transit
 
• Prohibiting Idling
 Modal Split
Travel Between Campus and
Home:
10

Source: Spring 2010 Commuting Survey

Waste
• Move-in and Move-out Waste Reduction
 
• Incentives for online forms
 
• Chemical Reuse Inventory 
 Water Consumption
Down by
165 million
Water & Sewer Use
12
cubic feet
in 2009-
10
10!
8

6
But costs
up by
4
37
2
percent!
0
Water
•  Waterless Urinals
Energy
• Timers for Temperature
Control  
 
• Lighting Sensors 
 
• Vending Machine Sensors 
Renewable Energy
Planning, Administration & Engagement
 Coordination & Planning
• The University of Tennessee at Knoxville
sustainability coordination includes: Campus
Committee on the Environment
 
• Office of Sustainability
 
• Climate Action Plan
 
• Campus Master Plan
Diversity
 Diversity at UTK

• Office of Diversity and Equity

- Assessment
• Department Diversity Initiatives
- College of Business Administration Diversity Council
- University of Tennessee Libraries' Diversity Committee
• Over 40 support programs for underrepresented
students, staff, and faculty
• Affordable and Accessibility for minority students
• Training programs for employees
Human Resources
Human Resources
• Employee Satisfaction Evaluation
 
•  Employee Wellness Program
 
• Sustainability in New Employee Orientation
Public Engagement
 Public Engagement

• Community Partnership Programs

 
• TeamVols
 
• Intercampus Collaboration on Sustainability
 Public Engagement Credits
Continued
• Sustainability in Continuing Education
• Community Service Participation
• Community Service Hours
 Recommendations for
Education & Research

• Create a Sustainability Literacy Assessment

o Credit is 2 points, and no survey has been conducted on
campus as of yet.
o Send to students--give small incentive.
o Content of questions:
 Knowledge about sustainability topics
 Importance of these topics
 Attitudes related to sustainability
 Recommendations for Operations

• Begin Usage of Non-Potable Water

 
•  
 Recommendations for Planning,
Administration, and Engagement
• Voluntary Graduation Pledge 
 
 
 Acknowledgments

 Mike McKinney

Tai-Lun Chiang

Sarah Gardial