Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 79.37
Liaison Jillian Leach
Submission Date March 4, 2022

STARS v2.2

California State University, Chico
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Jennifer Rotnem
Director of Energy and Sustainability
FMS
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:

The Director of Energy and Sustainability (Cheri Chastain) and two Chico State faculty serve on the City of Chico Climate Action Commission. This commission is an advisory body to the City Council on all matters related to climate action, adaption, and resiliency, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with State goals through preparation and maintenance of a Climate Action Plan. (https://chico.ca.us/climate-action-commission)

A.S. Government Affairs Committee, comprised of the institution's top administrators, passed a resolution to support the City of Chico's Declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019.
https://www.csuchico.edu/sen/_assets/documents/as/19-4-25/gac_reso_climate_emergency.pdf


Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:

The California State University (CSU) participates in public policy through open dialogue with the State Relations & Advocacy Office which advocates through lobbying efforts on behalf of the CSU system. The CSU’s Advocacy and State Relations (ASR) team monitors all sustainability legislation that impacts the CSU specifically. It also participates in state-wide advocacy on issues, such as climate change policy, energy efficiency, water resources and other utility issues that impact the operation and physical facilities. ASR and the Chancellor’s Office also work with the Governor’s Offices and are members of the Direct Access Customer Coalition (DACC) and the Alliance for Retail Markets advocacy groups to advocate for the best interest of the CSU on energy and sustainability efforts.

The CSU provides public comment, meets with legislative staff, and testifies at budget subcommittee hearings in order to express CSU support for regulatory initiatives and activities related to carbon emission reductions and climate resiliency.

In the 2020 state legislative year, the CSU supported AB 2176 (Holden) for free student transit passes. Eligibility for state funding which would make local transit passes free for students attending California Community Colleges, California State University, and University of California.


Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:

On July 19, 2021, President Hutchinson signed a letter with other University Presidents urging U.S.Senators to pass DREAM Legislation (https://www.presidentsalliance.org/dream-act-signatories/)

In addition, the CSU has taken a clear and public position to support and lobby for the protection of DACA students (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). The CSU offers free legal support services (https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/resources-for-undocumented-students/Pages/legal-support-services.aspx) throughout the system, and additionally, all 23 CSU campuses offer resources to support (https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/resources-for-undocumented-students/Pages/campus-support.aspx) undocumented students.

CSU, Chico has been a signatory of the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment since 2007. Second Nature works to leverage the power of its network to lobby for climate policy at the national level. By signing this commitment, the University has committed to moving toward Climate Neutrality and also is part of a larger, ongoing effort to advocate for national climate policy. (https://secondnature.org/wp-content/uploads/Carbon-Commitment_Charter-Signatories.pdf)


Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
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A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
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A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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.