Amherst College
IL-65: Innovation A

There are five open-ended Innovation credits available. For each of these credits, an institution may claim 1 bonus point for a new, extraordinary, unique, ground-breaking, or uncommon outcome, program, or initiative that addresses a sustainability challenge and is not covered by an existing credit.

Measurement

Report on current programs and initiatives and outcomes that occurred within the previous three years. 

In general, an Innovation credit should have roughly similar impacts or be on the same scale as other STARS credits. Outcomes, programs, and initiatives that are innovative for the institution’s region or institution type are eligible. Outcomes, programs, and initiatives that were once considered innovative but are now commonplace do not qualify. Multiple activities whose sum is innovative can be considered for an Innovation credit as long as the activities or practices are clearly related. A series of unrelated accomplishments or events would not qualify, for example. While the outcomes or activities that led to receiving an award may be appropriate for an Innovation credit, winning an award or achieving a high sustainability ranking in another assessment is not, in and of itself, grounds for an Innovation credit. 

This credit is optional.