Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 62.57
Liaison Kylee Singh
Submission Date Feb. 16, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

California Polytechnic State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.50 / 4.00 Kylee Singh
Sustainability Coordinator
Energy Utilities and Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

Currently in draft form with expected completion date June 2017, the President Strategic Plan focuses on sustainability under Common Goal 1, Objective 4- "Be A Leader in Sustainability." See attached for the draft plan or check the link for an updated version after June 2017.


A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):

CSU Sustainability Policy- http:/www.calstate.edu/cpdc/sustainability/policies-reports/documents/JointMeeting-CPBG-ED.pdf

Diversity Action Plan- http://www.diversity.calpoly.edu/statement-diversity


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process.
Required Metrics:
1. Provide the number of sustainability- focused degree programs.
2. Provide the number of sustainability-focused courses offered.
3. Provide the number of faculty conducting research related to sustainability.
4. Please indicate the number of academic departments conducting research related to sustainability.
5. Please list any courses or projects developed as part of the Campus as a Living Lab program.
6. List any sustainability-related academic institutes at this campus.
Optional Metrics:
7. Does the campus offer a SAGE/Sustainable City Year program or similar sustainability-related community partnership (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
8. Please describe any other sustainability-focused academic programs or initiatives offered by the campus (Sustainability GE pathway, etc.).


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process.
Required Metrics:
1. Provide the number of sustainability- focused degree programs.
2. Provide the number of sustainability-focused courses offered.
3. Provide the number of faculty conducting research related to sustainability.
4. Please indicate the number of academic departments conducting research related to sustainability.
5. Please list any courses or projects developed as part of the Campus as a Living Lab program.
6. List any sustainability-related academic institutes at this campus.
Optional Metrics:
7. Does the campus offer a SAGE/Sustainable City Year program or similar sustainability-related community partnership (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
8. Please describe any other sustainability-focused academic programs or initiatives offered by the campus (Sustainability GE pathway, etc.).


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

The CSU will develop employee and student workforce skills in the green jobs industry, promote the development of sustainable products and services, and foster economic development.

Required Metrics:
1. Does the campus offer sustainability-related student internship opportunities (either paid or for credit) (Y/N)? If so, please describe, and provide the number of participating students.
2. Does the campus offer continuing education courses that address sustainability and/or a sustainability-themed certificate program (Y/N)? If so, please describe. 
3. Does the campus have an institute or research center in a relevant area that provides instruction or training to students, employee, and/or the community, or focus on the research, demonstration, or deployment of sustainable products or services (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
4. Does the campus offer sustainability-related training or professional development opportunities to staff (Y/N)? If so, please describe and provide the number of staff participating, if known.
Optional Metrics:
5. Does the campus hold Green Jobs networking events, a Career Fair featuring green companies, or similar events (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
6. Does the university offer an ongoing peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program for students?
7. Please describe any other relevant campus initiatives or programs related to this policy goal toward the goal of climate neutrality.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy:

The CSU will strive to reduce facility GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by
2040. Campus tracking and reporting of their GHG inventory will be grounded in the
American College and University President’s Climate Commitment guidelines or equivalent, with consideration to campus requested improvements. Metrics will include GHG emissions
per FTE.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

1. All future CSU new construction, remodeling, renovation, and repair projects will be
designed with consideration of optimum energy utilization, low life cycle operating costs,
compliance with all applicable energy codes (enhanced Title 24 energy codes) and
regulations. In the areas of specialized construction that are not regulated through the current
energy codes, such as historical buildings, museums, and auditoriums, the CSU will ensure
that these facilities are designed to consider energy efficiency. Energy efficient and
sustainable design features in the project plans and specifications will be considered in
balance with the academic program needs of the project within the available project budget.

2. Capital Planning, Design and Construction in the Chancellor’s Office shall monitor building
sustainability/energy performance and maintain information on design best practices to
support the energy efficiency goals and guidelines of this policy. The sustainability
performance shall be based on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
principles with consideration to the physical diversity and microclimates within the CSU.

3. The CSU shall design and build all new buildings and major renovations to meet or exceed
the minimum requirements equivalent to LEED “Silver.” Each campus shall strive to achieve
a higher standard equivalent to LEED “Gold” or “Platinum” within project budget
constraints. Each campus may pursue external certification through the LEED process.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

1. All CSU buildings and facilities, regardless of the source of funding for their operation, will
be operated in the most energy efficient manner without endangering public health and safety
and without diminishing the quality of education and the academic program.

2. All CSU campuses will continue to identify energy efficiency improvement measures to the
greatest extent possible, undertake steps to seek funding for their implementation and, upon
securing available funds, expeditiously implement the measures.

3. The CSU will cooperate with federal, state, and local governments and other appropriate
organizations in accomplishing energy conservation and utilities management objectives
throughout the state; and inform students, faculty, staff and the general public of the need for
and methods of energy conservation and utilities management.

4. Each CSU campus will designate an energy/utilities manager with the responsibility and the
authority for carrying out energy conservation and utilities management programs. The
Chancellor’s Office will have the responsibility to coordinate the individual campus
programs into a systemwide program.

5. The CSU will monitor monthly energy and utility usage on all campuses and the
Chancellor’s Office, and will prepare a systemwide annual report on energy utilization and
greenhouse gas emissions. The Chancellor’s Office will maintain a systemwide energy
database in which monthly campus data will be compiled to produce systemwide energy
reporting. Campuses will provide the Chancellor’s Office the necessary energy and utility
data, such as electricity and natural gas consumption; water and sewer usage; fuel consumed
by fleet vehicles, boats, and ships; waste disposal for the systemwide database in a timely
manner.

6. Each CSU campus is encouraged to develop and maintain a campuswide integrated strategic
energy resource plan, which will include tactical recommendations in the areas of new
construction, deferred maintenance, facility renewal, energy projects, water conservation,
solid waste management, and an energy management plan. This plan will guide the overall
energy program at each campus.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

1. All campus food service organizations should track their sustainable food purchases. Such tracking and reporting will be grounded in the Real Food Challenge guidelines, or equivalent, with consideration to campus requested improvements. Campuses shall strive to increase
their sustainable food purchases to 20 percent of total food budget by 2020.

2. Campuses and food service organizations shall collaborate to provide information and/or
training on sustainable food service operations to staff and patrons.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from Poly CAP:
WTR Objective 1.1 Reduce landscaping water emissions by 95% by 2040
WTR Strategy 1.1.1 Remove 40 acres of turf on campus
WTR Strategy 1.1.2 Install infrastructure for conveying untreated water for landscaping
WTR Strategy 1.1.3 Plant water efficient landscapes.
WTR Strategy 1.1.4 Create educational water conservation landscapes.
WTR Objective 1.2 Reduce agricultural water emissions by 40% by 2040.
WTR Strategy1.2.1 Replace outdated infrastructure resulting in water leakage in agricultural
fields.
WTR Objective 1.3 Reduce domestic water emissions by 40% by 2040.
WTR Strategy 1.3.1 Prepare a water efficiency plan for structures on campus.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:
1. Campuses will promote use of suppliers and/or vendors who reduce waste, re-purpose
recycled material, or support other environmentally friendly practices in the provision of
goods or services to the CSU under contract. This may include additional evaluation points in
solicitation evaluations for suppliers integrating sustainable practices.

2. To move to zero waste, campus practices should: (1) encourage use of products that
minimize the volume of trash sent to landfill or incinerators; (2) participate in the CalRecycle
Buy-Recycled program or equivalent; and (3) increase recycled content purchases in all BuyRecycled
program product categories.

3. Campuses shall continue to report on all recycled content product categories, consistent with
PCC § 12153-12217 and shall implement improved tracking and reporting procedures for
their recycled content purchases.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

The CSU will encourage and promote the use of alternative transportation and/or alternative fuels to reduce GHG emissions related to university associated transportation, including commuter and business travel.
Required Metrics:
1. Does the campus conduct a commuter survey of students to analyze mode share (Y/N)? If so, please provide the most recent survey results.
2. Does the campus conduct a commuter survey of employees to analyze mode share or otherwise report on employee commutes (as may be required by an Air Quality Management District or other entitity) (Y/N)? If so, please provide most current report.
3. Has the campus completed a Scope 3 GHG Emissions inventory (Y/N)? If so, please attach or provide a link to the results. If the campus is currently in the process of developing this inventory, please provide an anticipated completion date.
4. Does the campus have any programs or initiatives to reduce GHG emissions from campus fleet vehicles, including switching to low-carbon fuels (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
5. Annual fleet inventory and vehicle utilization data by campus.
6. Please provide the total number of vehicle parking spaces available on the campus, including both structure and surface parking.
7. Please provide the total number and type of parking permits sold by semester or quarter, from academic year 2014/15 to current.
8. Does the campus offer preferred parking or discounted parking passes for electric vehicles, other ZEVs, or carpools (Y/N)? If so, please explain.
9. Does the campus have a free or subsidized transit pass program for students and/or employees (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
10. Please provide the total number of bicycle parking spaces available on campus.
11. Does the campus have any other programs to reduce the single occupancy vehicle commuting rate for students and/or employees, such as car share or bicycle sharing programs (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
Optional metrics:
12. Please provide the number and type of electric vehicle charging or other alternative fuel stations available on the campus. Please note the level of access for these fueling stations (publicly accessible, requires paid parking permit, campus fleet vehicles only, etc.) and indicate whether charging or fueling services are offered for free or at a cost to users.
13. Does the campus conduct bicycle counts or other analysis of active transportation utilization? If so, please describe and provide any available data.
14. Does the campus have automatic or manual counts of parking utilization rates available (Y/N)? If so, please provide.
15. Please provide the number of registered ZEVs utilizing campus parking, if known.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

Reduce per-capita landfill waste 50% by 2016 and 80% by 2020

The CSU will encourage the reduction of hazardous waste to the extent possible while supporting the academic program. Required Metrics:
1. Tons of hazardous waste produced by year.
2. Does the campus provide or facilitate an electronics waste recycling program (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
3. Please describe any campus efforts or programs to reduce hazardous waste.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

1. All CSU campuses will pursue water resource conservation to reduce water consumption by
10 percent by 2016, and 20 percent by 2020 including such steps to develop sustainable
landscaping, install controls to optimize irrigation water use, reduce water usage in restrooms
and showers, and promote the use of reclaimed/recycled water. In the event of a declaration
of drought, the CSU will cooperate with the state, city, and county governments to the
greatest extent possible to reduce water use.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from Cal Poly Diversity Plan:

- There are currently over 400 partner schools working with Cal Poly admissions to increase interest in attending Cal Poly. Admissions has a robust program inviting schools to tour CP, direct outreach and marketing to partner schools, and supporting the PIQE program.

-Establish a formal MOU with the fortune schools, two developing K-12 schools with majority Black, Hispanic, and Latino students.

- Continue to expand scholarship programs tied to California Partner Schools through private and corporate support.

-CAFES: Review and expand outreach to AG related partner schools Focus outreach of Ag Ambassadors toward these partner schools.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

Physical Plant Management
1. Each campus shall operate and maintain a comprehensive energy management system that
will provide centralized reporting and control of the campus energy related activities.

2. To the extent possible, academic and non-academic programs will be consolidated in a
manner to achieve the highest building utilization.

3. All CSU campuses will implement a utilities chargeback system to recover direct and
indirect costs of utilities provided to self-supporting and external organizations pursuant to procedures in the Integrated California State University Administrative Manual (ICSUAM).


Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:

Cal Poly fosters teaching, scholarship, and service in a learn-by-doing environment where students, staff, and faculty are partners in discovery. As a polytechnic university, Cal Poly promotes the application of theory to practice. As a comprehensive institution, Cal Poly provides a balanced education in the arts, sciences, and technology, while encouraging cross-disciplinary and co-curricular experiences. As an academic community, Cal Poly values free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.


The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):

Cal Poly defines sustainability as the ability of the natural and social systems to survive and thrive together to meet current and future needs. The Sustainability Learning Objectives (SLOs) state that all Cal Poly graduates should be able to:
-Define and apply sustainability principles within their academic programs.
-Explain how natural, economic, and social systems interact to foster or prevent sustainability.
-Analyze and explain local, national, and global sustainability using a multidisciplinary approach.
-Consider sustainability principles while developing personal and professional values.


Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter No
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) No
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter No
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment Yes
The Talloires Declaration (TD) Yes
UN Global Compact No
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) No

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.