California State University, Channel Islands
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) has several plans and policies that address sustainability objectives related to academics:

The Vision Plan for CSUCI outlines the goal to graduate all students with environmental literacy.

CSUCI's Policy on Sustainable Practices also calls for "delivery of curricular and co-curricular programs that promote environmental awareness."

The California State University Sustainability Policy also states that "the CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process."

CSUCI's Strategic Initiatives for 2018-2023 include several objectives focused on engagement. One of the main objectives within the Strategic Initiatives is "collaborating across Academic and Student Affairs to increase student engagement." Under this objective are the following actions:
1.2 Increase opportunities for students to engage with the regional community to apply their learning and address meaningful challenges.
1.3 Continue to expand opportunities for students to develop a deep sense of civic engagement to become catalysts for social and economic progress in the community.
1.7 Increase co-curricular engagement to strengthen community and support the achievement of academic goals.

Other actions within the Strategic Initiatives plan include:
4.1 Work in concert with business and community leadership to develop programs and initiatives that contribute to a robust economy and engaged citizenship.

There are numerous service learning oriented classes with focused curriculum as well as volunteer-based service days on and off campus. Campus Engagement activities are identified, planned, and arranged according to the needs and interests of CSUCI's campus community.

Capacity and Sustainability is one of the four Strategic Initiatives established by CSUCI for 2018-2023. One of the goals within that initiative is to promote sustainability as an integral part of university planning and operational activities. This goal includes actions to:
-Maximize efficiencies by expanding opportunities for cross-divisional collaboration and communication as well as realigning resources (human, programmatic, financial) in support of the University's Strategic Initiatives.
-Invest in physical infrastructure that facilitates inquiry and discovery with a particular emphasis on the expansion of public-private partnerships that are consistent with the academic mission of the University, support environmental sustainability and generates revenue.
-Create a comprehensive transportation strategic plan to decrease the number of single user trips to campus and increase opportunities for alternative means of transportation.

Fostering a campus culture that advances inclusive excellence is one of the primary goals of the university's 2018-2023 Strategic Initiatives. This goal includes the following objectives and actions:

By 2023, develop a collective understanding of equity and inclusion.
3.1 Build a shared understanding of inclusive excellence that includes the development of operational definitions.
3.2 Establish a biennial climate survey and utilize results to enhance campus climate, equity and inclusion.
3.3 Engage faculty, staff and students in structured opportunities for dialogue across divergent viewpoints.
3.4 Celebrate campus accomplishments and highlight excellence in equity and inclusion.
3.5 Develop a framework that will allow for the development and review of University policies through an equity lens.

By 2023, improve graduation rates for students from historically underserved populations.
3.6 Expand culturally responsive curricular and co-curricular offerings that infuse inclusivity and holistic student development throughout the student experience.
3.7 Develop a hiring strategy to ensure the continued expansion of diverse faculty and staff to advance academic excellence and student success.
3.8 Analyze disaggregated student success data across the University to identify barriers to completion and develop a campus-wide strategy to eliminate student equity gaps.

California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment, and reducing its consumption of non-renewable resources while supporting efforts to promote a more environmentally and financially sustainable campus and community.

As defined in CSUCI's Policy on Sustainable Practices:

Sustainability focuses on dynamic relationships among the environment, economy, and society. Sustainability encompasses how environmental and ecological issues are intertwined with economic, social, and health wellness, and how human society’s actions interconnect with these issues. Being sustainable requires addressing these issues so as to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

For the purposes of this policy, sustainability is defined as stewardship of resources so as to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to maintain their environment and meet their own needs.

CSU Channel Islands is a member of the Talloires Network, an international association of institutions committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education. CSUCI is also a signatory of Second Nature's Carbon Commitment.

When Dr. Erika Beck took on the role of President at CSUCI in 2016, the campus began a process to review and redefine the strategic priorities for the campus. The university developed the 2018-2023 Strategic Initiatives as an update to the campus strategic plan. Sustainability is a major theme in the strategic initiatives, with particular focus on bolstering all three pillars of sustainability: equity, economy, and the environment.