California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
PAE-1: Sustainability Coordination

President J. Michael Ortiz has pledged to eliminate Cal Poly Pomona’s greenhouse gas emissions over time. This included his forming a climate commitment task force to oversee the implementation of sustainability policies and procedures. In addition, the Division of Student Affairs has formed a sustainability committee called the 'Go Green' Committee. This group works with all student services departments to find ways to improve sustainability practices and procedures.

Climate Commitment Task Force Chair: Dr. Kyle D. Brown, John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies Members Dr. Edward Bobich, Department of Biological Sciences Marvin Campbell, I & IT Applications Cora Culla, Associated Students, Inc. Dr. Julianna Delgado, Department of Urban & Regional Planning Richard Farmer, Facilities Management Dr. Doug Freer, Student Affairs Carrie Geurts, College of Environmental Design Peter Graves, Facilities Management Trevor Henderson, I & IT Learning Dr. Pablo LaRoche, Department of Architecture George Lwin, Facilities Planning & Management Dave Patterson, Environmental Health & Safety Pam Shedd, Administrative Affairs Glenn Shenker, Parking & Transportation Services Megan Stang, University Housing Services G. Paul Storey, Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Al Viteri, Accounting Services Dr. Richard Willson, Department of Urban & Regional Planning Dr. Lin Wu, Department of Geography & Anthropology Dr. Henry Xue, Department of Mechanical Engineering

In 2009/10, resources were reallocated to create the Office of Sustainability, which supports the campus climate commitment and the implementation of the Climate Action Plan. The Cal Poly Pomona Climate Action Plan was completed and submitted to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in September 2009. The Office of Sustainability is responsible for submitting regularly to the ACUPCC. This includes the biannual greenhouse gas inventory and milestone progress reports. The Office of Sustainability worked with the Climate Commitment Task Force to identify and implement greenhouse gas reduction opportunities. Five implementation teams were established: Transportation, Built Environment, Energy, Agriculture/Landscape/Solid Waste/Refrigerants, and Education/Research/Outreach. Integral to these efforts, sustainability office worked to promote campus achievements in the area of sustainability including periodic updates to showcase projects and initiatives via PolyCentric and on the campus sustainability website. In Winter 2013 the President restructured and expanded the Climate Commitment Task Force to the Environmental Sustainability Task Force and created a Sustainability Working Group to provide direct support for the Task Force. This working group is led by the Sustainability Task Force chair, Dr. Kyle Brown, with primary support and day-to-day leadership provided by a staff project coordinator, Debbie Scheider, and staffed with four graduate students.

The Manager of Sustainability provides centralized sustainability leadership to the campus. The incumbent manages the university efforts in the areas of the climate action plan and compliance with the Presidents Climate Commitment, broadcasting sustainable programs and accomplishments, and identifying and implementing innovative and sustainable programs.