Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 66.84
Liaison Stephanie Del Rosario
Submission Date May 26, 2022

STARS v2.2

California State University, Fullerton
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Stephanie Del Rosario
Sustainability Analyst
Physical Plant
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Yes

Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:

Adventure Club
The purpose of the Adventure Club is to create a social platform for students of California State University Fullerton who are interested in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, biking, rock climbing, snowboarding, surfing, et cetera. This club aims to help like-minded students with passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors find others with similar interests. It will also encourage students to explore the beautiful nature of California and to preserve the public lands we utilize.

American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
As members of the California State University, Fullerton Student Section of the Orange County ASSP, our mission is to promote professional development of members and students through advanced education, training, social service and networking events with professionals of Environmental Health and Safety related fields.

The Association of Environmental Professionals Student Chapter at CSUF
AEP is committed to supporting students who are preparing to pursue careers in the environmental field. AEP strives to encourage students in their efforts to gain knowledge of the various environmental professions and network with environmental professionals in their field of expertise. Students represent the lifeblood of our profession. Their involvement with AEP at an early stage in their careers provides invaluable networking opportunities with environmental professionals, and provides environmental professionals a new source for eager and motivated staff.

The Environmental Sustainability Commission, ASI
The Environmental Sustainability Commission, ASI, Inc. shall be responsible for raising awareness of environmental and sustainability issues on campus, developing events and programs, advocating for the inclusion of sustainability best practices within the context of ASI’s operations and corporate responsibility, and serving as a liaison between interested student groups and ASI.

Fresh Air Advocates
Fresh Air Advocates work to help promote our
campus smoke-free policy, help educate students, faculty/staff, and visitors, coordinate special events, & assist
with research.

Geography Club
Whether you like outdoor activities, helping the environment, social networking, or just hanging out with friends, you'll fit right in with other members.

Symbiotic Earth of CSUF
The purpose of this organization is to enlighten members’ environmental competence and highlight the importance of connecting with various cultural groups on-campus and off-campus through community involvement and activities that encourage sustainability.

United Nations Association
UNA works to engage and energize young supporters around United Nations issues within four main topic areas: Energy and Climate, Women and Girls, Peace and Security, and Global Health. Our mission is to educate, advocate, and communicate on behalf of the United Nations to the students and faculty of CSUF, as well as the citizens of the greater Fullerton area. We are students from various majors at CSUF working together to plan events, campaign, and advocate to elected officials on the importance of a strong US-UN relationship and on behalf of our international concerns.


Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:

The Fullerton Arboretum has an organic farm and orchard where students can gain farming/gardening experience. The farm is approximately a quarter of an acre. Arboretum staff cultivates seasonal vegetables and herbs on the farm year round.

An organic orchard is also cultivated with over 200 fruit trees. This property is operated by the non-profit organization Friends of the Arboretum in a City-University-Organization collaboration effort, and provides a living laboratory for students, faculty, staff, and the public. This property features approximately 10 unique areas of plant collections, plant propagation and ecological educational facilities, plant sales, and local agriculture. As a non-profit, the Fullerton Arboretum offers many student volunteer opportunities and educational tours of the facility.

The Arboretum provides our visitors the opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciation of the plant world through collections that preserve and promote stewardship of worldwide plant diversity and regional agricultural heritage. Serve faculty, students and the broader community through education and scholarly activities.

U-Acre: U-ACRE, The Urban Agriculture Community-based Research Experience (U-ACRE) program at California State University Fullerton provides: hands-on community-based research experience for undergraduates; community outreach in areas of urban agriculture, and food security; a replicable model of urban agriculture as a tool to increase food security; knowledge and skill sets for jobs and careers in STEM and NIFA-related fields. Community-based research foci include: implementing and evaluating sustainable urban agriculture projects to increase community food security and influence dietary patterns of children; understanding food choices and dietary intake through childhood and in the context of food insecurity; understanding how agriculture can be integrated into the urban ecosystem leading to sustainable practices, conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.

The structure of the program begins with a 5-week intensive trans-disciplinary program of study during the summer session, followed by junior year community-based research experience working with a U-ACRE faculty mentor on an established research project, and culminates in a year of analysis and senior thesis.


Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
No

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:

N/A


Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:

The Environmental Sustainability Commission of Cal State Fullerton's Associated Students Inc. has sustainable microfinance initiatives where students are provided with an annual budget. They are responsible for allocating these green revolving funds to pay for programs, promotions, and events that pertain to educating the student body about sustainability. https://asi.fullerton.edu/student-government#About%20SG


Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:

Earth Week
Cal State Fullerton's Center for Sustainability present CSUF's Earth Week annually. This is a collaborative effort that includes student organizations, faculty, staff, and a number of university divisions and departments. Participants in Earth Week events include educational institutions, NGOs, government agencies, and businesses, all bringing their perspectives on sustainability to campus to encourage the campus community as well as the greater community to live a sustainable life.

During CSU Earth Month 2021, encouraged by the positive response to our Climate Justice = Social Justice events during fall 2020, Sustainability Officers across the CSU once again collaborated to organize a systemwide virtual event in honor of Earth Day 2021! These events are meant to expose CSU students and campus community members to young leaders of the inclusive sustainability and climate justice movement and inspire them to take action.

​Following the 1-hour panel discussion, which will be moderated by CSU student leader Armando Sepulveda II, participants will have the opportunity to join one of several “action tank” breakout discussions to dive deeper into topics, interact with the panelists, and learn about the various ways that they can join the movement.​​ https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/sustainability/Pages/sustainability-month.aspx


Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:

From October to December 2019, the Pollak Library displayed ten images by photographer Sej Saraiya to build awareness and understanding of world cultures with the hopes of facilitating social inclusiveness and international cooperation. According to Saraiya, the United Nations has labeled indigenous wisdom as that which will save our planet. The exhibit provides a glimpse of unique systems of knowledge and understanding of the world.
https://www.library.fullerton.edu/visiting/exhibits/exhibit-2019-ancient-wisdom.php

From October to December 2019, the Pollak Library exhibited "Extra-ordinary Objects" which highlights the practices of visual artists and designers producing functional art. That is to say, art that serves a purpose beyond the aesthetic. Examples of functional art include: ceramics, tapestries, jewelry, and furniture. Highlighting the practices of these artists is significant because it promotes a larger discussion related to ethical consumerism and minimalist living. Additionally, by presenting the included works in the ‘white-cube’ tradition, this exhibit contextualizes them as high art and craft — historically incompatible classifications.
https://www.library.fullerton.edu/visiting/exhibits/exhibit-2019-extra-ordinary.php

From November to December 2019, the Pollak Library included a student-curated exhibit honoring contributions of Native Americans through the lens of Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, the 23rd poet laureate of the United States.
https://www.library.fullerton.edu/visiting/exhibits/exhibit-2019-native-american-heritage-month.php

From September to December 2021, the CSUF Begovich Gallery hosted Kim Abeles: Smog Collectors. The exhibition features thirty years of Abeles' artistic investigation related to the environment and her innovative method of producing images on various surfaces made solely by particulate matter from air pollution. Smog Collectors examines decades of scientific data collected by the artist and its unexpected visual presentation that prompts the viewer to reconsider the air we breathe.
https://dailytitan.com/lifestyle/smog-art-inspires-climate-awareness/article_d6a49b3a-19b6-11ec-81cd-9f011e82c91f.html


Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:

Titan Outdoors, ASI Titan Recreation
If you are tired of virtual experiences and need a digital detox, Titan Outdoors has your back! Check out our selection of in-person trips! Our trips have safe COVID-19 guidelines to keep you and the other participants safe while having a blast in the outdoors! All trips include transportation, gear, trip leaders, and recreation fees. Our overnight trips include food! If you aren’t quite ready for in-person events yet then be sure to join our hiking club for a series of exciting hikes around the Orange County area where you can win prizes and stickers for each of the hikes. If you want more of an adventure, but don’t know where to go, be sure to check out our Local Guide! It’s a great launching point to plan your weekend!
https://asi.fullerton.edu/titan-recreation#Titan%20Outdoors

Adventure Club
The purpose of the club is to create a social platform for students of California State University Fullerton who are interested in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, biking, rock climbing, snowboarding, surfing, etc. This club aims to help like-minded students with passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors find others with similar interests. It will also encourage students to explore the beautiful nature of California and to preserve the public lands we utilize. This club follows the "Leave No Trace" principle in all of their activities. https://fullerton.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/csufadventureclub

Geography Club
The CSUF Geography Club is an interactive organization that facilitates outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, service and policy advocacy opportunities, social events and an all around great time. We also hold an annual All Points of the Compass symposium which allows our students, faculty and professionals alike to share their personal and academic research. There is no need to be a Geography major to join the club and there are no fees. http://geography.fullerton.edu/current_students/geography_club/


Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:

The Environmental Sustainability Commission of ASI chooses a theme each semester. The theme sets a base for meetings and events, which are related to sustainability and aim to educate and involve the campus community.

In Fall 2021, the theme was focused on "Green Community". Held at the ASI Farmers' Market, they focused on seed planting, tote bag decorating, Halloween decorations and a sustainability career panel for sustainability month.

https://asi.fullerton.edu/student-government#About%20SG


Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

In October 2021, ASI's Environmental Sustainability Commission focused on "Green Community". Held at the ASI Farmers' Market, they focused on seed planting, tote bag decorating, Halloween decorations and a sustainability career panel for sustainability month.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CU5vQcThxgN/

In addition, Tuffy's Basic Needs hosts the "Healthy Eating Series". These workshops examine ways students can access and make healthy eating choices throughout the academic year from both on and off campus resources. Workshop topics include: CalFresh benefits and eligibility, maximizing grocery budgets for healthy eating, eating healthy during finals, and more.
http://www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/basic_needs/ProgramsandEvents.php


Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:

Capital Programs and Facilities Management
This department recruits and employs students to learn about and work on various sustainability-focused projects for the campus. Projects include the STARS data collection and development of the campus report, the utilities enterprise data collection and analysis, sustainable waste management program support and auditing, and other various campus wide audits. For more information, please visit: http://fullerton.edu/sustainability/discover/

Center for Sustainability
The Center for Sustainability was established at CSUF in 2009 and is a campus focal point for sustainability-centered activities. These include facilitating the development and inclusion of sustainability-centered topics in the university's curriculum, supporting external grant-getting by faculty members and other members of the university community, encouraging interaction among faculty members from different disciplines, reaching out to members of the greater community interested in sustainability, providing leadership in efforts to make the campus more sustainable, and coordinating sustainability-related activities on campus. Typically, student internships in sustainability are available and recruited for on an academic year basis.

TitanWell employs and trains Cal State Fullerton students to become Certified Peer Health Educators through NASPA’s BACCHUS initiative. Our Peer Health Educators (PHEs) are able to work on various teams within our department, including our TitanWell Hut, AMOD Squad, and Nutrition Advocates. http://www.fullerton.edu/titanwell/peer/


Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):

N/A


A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.