University IT
Transitioning to Cedar
Overview
Cedar is Stanford's new cloud-based platform that will replace the current STARS learning management system. STARS is being retired as part of the university's Renew-Extend-Replace (RER) program alongside PeopleSoft HR.
This transition to Cedar will provide Stanford with a modern, learner-centered system featuring enhanced search functionality, a user-friendly interface, intelligent course recommendations, structured learning paths, and progress dashboards.
The new platform will better serve the Stanford community with improved navigation, auto-assignment capabilities, and support for non-SUNet learners, while maintaining all existing training requirements, STAP eligibility, and compliance obligations.
Timeline
- July-Sept. 2026Stakeholder engagement
- Oct. 2026User acceptance testing (UAT)
- Nov.-Dec. 2026Community-wide resources provided
- Dec. 8, 2026Campus go-live
What you need to know
If you take training
You’ll use Cedar instead of STARS to find and complete training. Cedar will provide new tools to help you discover courses, track your progress, and manage your learning.
What actions to take:
- Complete unfinished courses in STARS before December 2026 to avoid having to repeat the course.
If you administer training
Cedar will provide new capabilities for managing learning, including improved search, automated assignments, learning paths, and progress tracking.
What actions to take:
- Complete Cedar training course for learning administrators (coming soon).
- Participate in user acceptance testing (optional).
If you manage or assign training
Cedar will support automated course assignments and provide greater visibility into training requirements and progress.
What actions to take:
- Complete Cedar training course for managers (coming soon).
- Participate in user acceptance testing (optional).
If you're a training instructor
Cedar will provide a new way to manage and deliver training at Stanford. You’ll have access to tools for managing course information, learner enrollment, assignments, and progress. Watch for additional guidance about transitioning your courses and preparing to deliver training in Cedar.
What actions to take:
- Complete Cedar training course for instructors (coming soon).
- Participate in user acceptance testing (optional).
Resources and support
Resources
Coming soon
Contact the project team
Questions or feedback? Start with the FAQs below, or reach out to the Cedar project team for more information.
FAQs
These FAQs will be updated regularly, as more information becomes available.
What is happening to STARS?
STARS is being replaced by a new learning management system called Cedar. STARS will be fully retired in 2027 as part of Stanford's Renew-Extend-Replace (RER) program.
When will this change happen?
The new Cedar system will go live on Dec. 8, 2026.
What happens to my in-progress courses?
All learners must complete any unfinished courses in STARS before Dec. 4, 2026. If you don't complete them, you'll have to start over in the new system.
Will I need to use two systems?
No, all courses in STARS will be moved to the new system.
Do my training requirements change?
No. All training requirements, STAP eligibility, and compliance obligations remain the same.
Will STARS be available during the transition?
STARS will be temporarily down during cutover periods. We'll communicate these downtimes in advance.
Why Cedar?
STARS users have been clear about what isn't working. During discovery, users identified more than 80 pain points, including:
- Courses are hard to find unless you know the exact title or course code.
- It's hard to see what you've completed, what's available, or how to drop a course.
- The layout is cluttered and hard to navigate.
As one user put it: "You cannot find anything unless you have the exact letters, dashes, numbers, words."
With feedback from learners and learning administrators in hand, University IT worked with more than 20 stakeholders to define hundreds of requirements and evaluated several products on the market before choosing Cornerstone, the platform behind Cedar.
How will Cedar be different from STARS?
Cedar will introduce a new learning experience designed to make it easier to find, complete, and manage training. Some new capabilities will be available at launch, while other features will be introduced through future releases.
Key features include:
- Enhanced search functionality: Find courses and learning resources quickly.
- Progress dashboards: Easily see your training progress, upcoming requirements, and completed courses.
- Simplified navigation: Access learning resources through a more intuitive, user-friendly interface.
- Auto-assignment: Support training requirements with automated course assignments.
