California State University, Long Beach
IN-39: Sustainability Office Diversity Program

The Office of Sustainability makes a conscious effort to recruit and hire staff and student employees from underrepresented groups including, but not limited to racial/ethnic groups, people with disabilities, LBGTQ+, or individuals from different religious backgrounds. As part of intern recruitment and outreach, the Office staffs a booth at the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) monthly Cultural Heritage Celebrations and at the International Studies’ bi-annual Resource Fair for International Students.

Since the Office of Sustainability was established in 2014, 85% of hired student interns have been students who identify as members of the following underrepresented or marginalized groups: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and those of two or more races. In addition, the Office of Sustainability places a strong emphasis on hiring staff and student employees from a variety of academic backgrounds, including Marketing, Engineering, and the Arts.

As a federally designated Minority-Serving Institution and Hispanic-Serving Institution, CSULB also has a campus-wide mission of diversifying university employees and student body. The President’s Commission on Equity and Change, formerly the Commission on Inclusive Excellence, is tasked with ensuring that every campus community member, regardless of gender, religion, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. is given a fair opportunity to excel.

As part of the Office’s onboarding protocols, Sustainability staff and student employees participate in “Implicit Bias” training hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA). These workshops strive to raise awareness about issues of privilege and bias and intentionally create an inclusive and diverse campus community that promotes personal, academic, and professional development while embracing a nurturing atmosphere that cultivates a need for social change.

The Office of Sustainability staff participates in monthly Cultural Heritage Month Celebrations hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA). Sustainability office staff have tabled at these events to educate students about sustainability events, people, or accomplishments related to that month’s theme. For Native American Heritage Month, for example, the Office’s booth included a display of young indigenous environmental activists from around the world. Other cultural celebrations that the Office has participated in include Black History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and LGBTQ OUTober.

The Office also has a staff representative on the President’s Commission on Equity and Change. The re-envisioned Commission plays a critical role in bringing about institutional change including diversifying the university’s employees and student body, enhancing support and opportunity for all, and helping to ensure that quality cultural competence and anti-racist professional development is attainable by all. In addition, the Commission plays a collaborative role with the Campus Climate Committee of the Academic Senate in analyzing the results of the campus climate surveys and engaging diverse constituent groups in formulating and implementing actionable plans and strategies to bring about institutional change. Having a representative in this Commission allows there to be a bridge of communication between the Office and the committee to ensure that goals and values are shared across all boards.

The Office of Sustainability helps oversee the President’s Commission on Sustainability, which includes the Associated Students Inc. (ASI) Commissioner for Environmental Justice (EJ) as a permanent student member. As a member of the President’s Commission on Sustainability, the EJ Commissioner can help bridge partnerships and collaborations between the student body and sustainability efforts on campus, including the university’s Climate Action Plan (CAP).

Position Description:
The Commissioner for Environmental Justice advises the ASI President’s Cabinet on matters of environmental justice issues in local communities and sustainability efforts affecting the campus.
• Assists in developing strategies to convey environmental justice and sustainability policies, goals, and initiatives for ASI, such as purchasing policies and practices
• Advises the ASI President on the university’s Climate Action Plan, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the plan, staying current on its progress and accomplishments, and identifying ways in which ASI can contribute
• Collaborates with the University Student Union Board of Trustees to execute the provisions of the ASI Sustainability Policy, ensuring that ASI is adhering to the policy specifically greenhouse gas emission and zero waste goals, confirm that the annual sustainability report is submitted, and present findings to Senate
• When needed, work with Senate to develop resolutions addressing policy and systemic issues related to environmental justice
• Collaborates with the Chief Government Relations Officer on raising awareness of environmental justice issues on a CSU level through CSSA
• Build relationships with environmental justice-focused organizations in the local communities such as East Yard Community for Environmental Justice, Communities for a Safe Environment, Communities for a Better Environment, Building Healthy Communities (Environmental Health Work Group), and Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma, to support local communities in the fight for a clean and healthy environment
• Serves on the Earth Week Committee and assists with the planning of Earth Week, ensuring that there is an environmental justice component to the program
• Works in conjunction with the Sustain U Committee, Sustainability Taskforce, and the Recycling Center

In addition, the President’s Commission on Sustainability is part of the President’s Joint Commission, which consists of the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Equity and Change. The Joint Commission meets several times a year to explore shared goals, differences in privilege and discrimination, and possibilities in alliances and coalitions between and within groups. This ensures that Sustainability staff with formal environmental and social justice responsibilities is always at the table.