California State University, Dominguez Hills
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The 2021-22 Sustainability Report tracks initiatives and sets the general goal for infusing sustainability into curriculum on campus. Quantitative goals include hosting at least one event per semester specifically focused on engaging faculty in support of integrating sustainability into the curriculum.

The Farm sub-section of the Sustainability Report also lists providing living laboratory space for the purpose of integrating sustainability into coursework and research as a key part of its mission statement.

There is also a dedicated Academic Working Group under the University Sustainability Committee that has several Cabinet-approved and measurable sustainability initiatives they are working on. These are listed in the last annual recommendations report: https://www.dropbox.com/s/04c3sttquhvr6vd/University%20Sustainability%20Committee%20Recommendations%20Report%20%28AY%202021-22%29.pdf?dl=0

Reporting and tracking included as a specific sub-section in the annual Sustainability Report with the goal of reaching at least 10% of the FTE campus population every fiscal year through direct interactions via outreach events and campaigns.

The CSU Sustainability policy includes several sustainability objectives that address student, employee, and community engagement for sustainability. Examples of such objectives include:
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.

Each CSU is encouraged to designate a sustainability officer responsible for carrying out and/or coordinating campus sustainability program efforts.

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.

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.

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

Additionally, the Policy Statement on Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management for the CSU (Executive Order 987) states that the “CSU shall incorporate appropriate training programs for CSU facilities personnel with the aim of promoting and maintaining the goals” outlined for energy conservation and sustainable building practices. The policy also states that “the CSU will encourage continued energy conservation and lowest utilities operating costs on its campuses by instituting incentive plans designed to recognize and reward meritorious achievements by campus staff, faculty, and students beyond normal expectation.”

CSUDH has adopted specific objectives and goals around:

Carbon neutrality (Climate Action Plan here: https://www.csudh.edu/Assets/csudh-sites/sustainability/docs/campus-initiatives/2022%20CSUDH%20Climate%20Action%20Plan_Final_8-22-2022.pdf)

Net Zero Waste (Zero Waste Plan here: https://www.csudh.edu/Assets/csudh-sites/sustainability/docs/campus-initiatives/2020-2025-zero-waste-plan.pdf)

Water Action Plan: https://www.csudh.edu/Assets/csudh-sites/sustainability/docs/CSUDH%20Water%20Action%20Plan_10-15-2018.pdf

Sustainable Landscape Plan: https://www.csudh.edu/Assets/csudh-sites/sustainability/docs/landscaping/CSUDH%20Sustainable%20Landscape%20Plan_2022.pdf

The CSU includes measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations in several published policies, including the CSU Sustainability Policy and the Policy Statement on Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management for the CSU (Executive Order 987). Examples of operational sustainability objectives included in these policies are:
The CSU will strive to reduce systemwide facility greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels, or below, by 2020 consistent with AB 32, California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (HSC §38550)

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.

The CSU will endeavor to exceed the State of California and California Public Utilities Commission Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) sooner than the established goal of procuring 33 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020.

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.

Campuses shall seek to reduce the solid waste disposal rate by 50 percent (PRC § 42921) by 2016, by 80 percent by 2020, and move to zero waste.

Campuses shall strive to increase their sustainable food purchases to 20 percent of total food budget by 2020.

Wellbeing - Policy on Student Mental Health (EO 1053)
Campuses shall provide psycho-educational workshops, programs and services that address critical student issues as well as prevention and wellness programs. Programs must be responsive to the diversity of the CSU student population and enhance the ability of students to develop healthy and effective styles of living and learning.

Mission: “CSUDH sustains its commitment to social, environmental, and educational justice by providing a high-quality education that leads to personal and professional success, economic and social mobility, and mutually beneficial and reciprocal relationships with the surrounding communities and the local K-12 and community college systems.”

Vision
CSUDH will be a model urban university responsive to and engaged as partners in addressing the most pressing challenges in our local and global communities. To do this, we will create a campus where:

Students experience an equitable education that builds upon their strengths to foster critical inquiry, career readiness, and a passion for lifelong learning.
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community collaborate to create dynamic cocurricular opportunities, a vibrant campus life, and lasting relationships.
Students, faculty, staff, and alumni engage in local partnerships for community-based development, business growth, and career opportunities.
Innovative and sustainable financial development and resource management ensure our self-determination as a university.
The campus as a whole commits to addressing issues of social, educational, and environmental justice through resource management, advocacy, research, teaching, and innovative practices.
Values
Academic Excellence and Intellectual Curiosity.

We are a community of lifelong learners dedicated to discovery and personal growth and the ongoing development of skills and talents, cutting-edge research, and artistic contributions that serve to strengthen the cultures and communities of which we are all a part.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

We are committed to addressing the historical injustices in education faced by marginalized students by working to provide all students with sufficient access to culturally sustaining programs, services, and resources.

We honor, prioritize, and value the diversity of perspectives and backgrounds of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community, whose equitable inclusion is fundamental to the success of our university.

We recognize that students are agents in their own education and have the right to have their voices heard, their experiences validated, their concerns addressed, and to be treated as partners in their educational experiences.

Sustainability.

We recognize and live up to our responsibility to our campus community, and the community at large, through the sustainable and equitable stewardship of our natural, social, and economic resources.

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment signatory, committed to carbon neutrality by 2045.

The highest guiding document for the campus is the CSUDH Strategic Plan, and sustainability is interwoven into the core mission, vision, and values for the institution with the intention of ensuring sustainability is integrated into all the institution's efforts and planning.