Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 65.05
Liaison Ellie Perry
Submission Date Feb. 15, 2023

STARS v2.2

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

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Ellie Perry
Sustainability Manager
Facilities Services
"---" 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 CSUDH Office of Local Government & Community Relations engages regularly at the municipal/local level to influence public policy. Some recent examples include:

CSUDH is currently serving as a primary sponsor for the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. (LAEDC) and its Future Forum series in 2022 on the Green Economy and Community to advocate for greener transport in the region. CSUDH's South Bay Economic Forecast Report from 2022 on “The Future is Green” is a leading document on how businesses and communities benefit from going green. CSUDH also partners closely with the City of Carson, and will be hosting their "Tour de Carson" bicycle community program this summer 2023 to promote alternative transportation options and wellness in the region. CSUDH also has ongoing active discussions with Metro to advocate for alternative transportation in the local community.


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.

The CSU’s advocacy, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, work to ensure diverse stakeholders are represented and considered in decision-making processes.

In Calendar Year 2022, CSU engaged on two (2) bills pertaining to sustainability-related with the state legislature:
SB 155: Public resources trailer bill, contains historic infusions of funding for public resource projects, including wildfire & forest resilience, water & drought, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and energy.
Press article: Governor Newsom Signs Climate Action Bills, Outlines Historic $15 Billion Package to Tackle the Climate Crisis and Protect Vulnerable Communities | California Governor
This Department of Finance memo includes charts summarizing the specific funding amounts and state departments involved: Budget Summary (ca.gov)
AB 2232: School facilities: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, requires a covered school, and request the University of California, to ensure that its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. The bill would also require a covered school, and request the University of California, to install filtration that achieves specified minimum efficiency reporting values (MERV) levels, determined by the school to be feasible with the existing HVAC system, as provided. The bill would require, upon the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code, the California Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect to research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory standards for carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms of a covered school and the University of California. By imposing new duties on local educational agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.


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:

CSUDH supported the CSU Office of Federal Relations in advocating to members of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee for grants to support Hispanic Serving Institutions and increased capacity for education, agriculture, food, and renewable resources as part of the FY 22 Appropriations Bill (federal Farm Bill).

In March 2022, CSUDH personally hosted Congressmembers Nanette Barragan and Adam Schiff at the CSUDH Campus Urban Farm to support their sponsored bill for Food for Thought Act (HR6934) to provide food for college students facing food insecurity.


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:
---

A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
---

A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):

As a publicly-funded institution, this is not applicable.


Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

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.