| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.82 |
| Liaison | Holli Fajack |
| Submission Date | Jan. 29, 2021 |
California State University, Long Beach
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Christopher
Reese Assoc Vice Pres, Advancement Operations/Gov Rel University Relations & Development (URD) |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
CSULB works with our surrounding city and county agencies to collaborate on sustainability policies like Climate Action and Resilience Plans, General Plan updates, and CEQA. For example, the City of Long Beach released its draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) in May of 2019, for which several CSULB faculty served on a Scientific Advisory Committee. In 2019, CSULB President Conoley launched a new Presidential Commission on Sustainability (PCS), and designated positions for community partners with expertise in the areas of affordable housing, transportation, and sustainable development. These Commission positions have been held by representatives from Long Beach Transit and a local planning/design firm who are actively engaged in helping to shape local policies in these areas. By engaging these partners at this high level, the university is effectively collaborating to develop and implement programs and policies to advance resource conservation and climate action. The Office of Sustainability also regularly briefs the City of Long Beach's Sustainable City Commission on sustainability issues that impact both the city and campus to help inform policy making.
CSULB's Parking and Transportation Services and Planning Departments work in close collaboration with the local transit agencies to advocate for bus and bicycle policies and infrastructure that will benefit the campus. This close communication ensures that local policy is created with the university in mind and that key university stakeholders participate in the local policy making process. In 2019, CSULB worked with the City of Long Beach and Long Beach Transit to launch the Promise Pass, a reduced-price annual transit pass for Long Beach Promise students.
CSULB President Jane Close Conoley chaired the City of Long Beach's task force on eliminating homelessness called Everyone Home Long Beach (EHLB). The task force was launched in May 2018 and by December of that year issued a report and recommendations to Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and city leaders.
In 2020, CSULB submitted a letter of support to the City of Long Beach for developing a hydrogen fueling network in support of fleet development for the region, including the University and Long Beach Airport.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
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): 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?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
CSULB has been a signatory of the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment since 2011. 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 effort to advocate for national climate policy.
The CSU has taken a clear and public position to support and lobby for the protection of DACA students (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Specifically, 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.
Chancellor Timothy White said in February 2018: “As I have stated repeatedly…, providing those with DACA status a clear path for the future – to complete their education and build their careers – is indeed a wise decision for California and our nation. I continue to call on federal policymakers to stand up for our shared American values of inclusivity, opportunity and excellence – regardless of background or birthplace.”
Read more at: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/Chancellor-White-Statement-on-DACA-February-26-2018.aspx
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
In 2017, the CSU signed the We Are Still In pledge and coalition of over 1,400 cities, states, businesses and universities who are standing together to maintain U.S. leadership on climate change and clean energy. This effort is part of the United Nations COP21 climate negotiations taking place in Paris this year, were world leaders will come together to commit to helping fight climate change.
For more information, please visit: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/CSU-Statement-on-Joining-%E2%80%98We-Are-Still-In%E2%80%99-Climate-Declaration.aspx
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
The CSU routinely supports and opposes legislation on matters related to higher education.
Read more at: https://www2.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/government/advocacy-and-state-relations/Pages/default.aspx
In the 2020 state legislative year, the CSU supported
• AB 1689 (McCarty): College Mental Health Services Program to create a grant program for public community college, college, and university campuses for the purpose of establishing or improving access to mental health services on those campuses
• SB 461 (Roth): Student financial aid: Cal Grants: summer term students to provide summer term Cal Grant support for students.
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.