| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.82 |
| Liaison | Holli Fajack |
| Submission Date | Jan. 29, 2021 |
California State University, Long Beach
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Sustainability committee(s)
Yes
The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:
The university's Sustainability Task Force (STF) was established in 2011 to implement the actions and programs necessary to meet the Second Nature Climate Commitment. While the Climate Commitment remained a central focus, the mission of the STF evolved over time to include a broader range of issues. In order to elevate the profile and prioritization of sustainability and climate action at CSULB, the STF body was retired in 2017 and a new President’s Commission on Sustainability (PCS) was established in 2018. Under President Jane Close Conoley’s leadership, the mission of the PCS is integrating sustainability--defined as the intentional and simultaneous focus on environmental, social, and economic health--into all aspects of the university.
The PCS works to advance the following goals:
• Develop and support initiatives that integrate sustainability into all aspects of campus life.
• Integrate sustainability into the University’s Strategic Plan activities and initiatives through active engagement.
• Increase partnerships and collaboration with the City of Long Beach and the greater regional community with the goal of achieving shared sustainability goals.
• Raise the profile of sustainability efforts to meet and surpass university and state commitments and regulatory requirements.
• Elevate the profile of sustainability research, scholarly, and creative activities and leadership at CSULB on a local, regional, national, and international scale.
• Enhance the ability of the campus to attract state, federal, foundation, and private funds by leveraging the university’s identity as a leader in sustainability action and research.
• Involve and engage faculty, staff, and students in sustainability practices and activities through instruction, outreach, and student life activities.
The Commission consists of four Subcommittees that address and advance the Commission’s goals:
• Climate Action & Adaptation Plan Update Committee – focuses on strengthening our 2014 Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and communicating CAAP measures and goals to the campus community.
• Transportation Solutions Committee - focuses on identifying and implementing programs and policies that will promote a shift toward more sustainable transportation modes and ultimately a reduction in the university's transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainability in the Curriculum Committee - focuses on evaluating current courses that incorporate sustainability concepts and identifying strategies for increasing sustainability course offerings.
• Communications & Engagement Committee - focuses on raising awareness about campus sustainability efforts and programs and building the CSULB Sustainability "brand."
The PCS is one of three bodies that make up the President’s Joint Commission, consisting of Commissions on the Status of Women, Equity and Change, and Sustainability. In addition to working independently, the Commissions collectively work together to advance key initiatives for students, faculty, and community to reflect President Conoley’s strong focus on inclusion on and beyond campus.
The PCS works to advance the following goals:
• Develop and support initiatives that integrate sustainability into all aspects of campus life.
• Integrate sustainability into the University’s Strategic Plan activities and initiatives through active engagement.
• Increase partnerships and collaboration with the City of Long Beach and the greater regional community with the goal of achieving shared sustainability goals.
• Raise the profile of sustainability efforts to meet and surpass university and state commitments and regulatory requirements.
• Elevate the profile of sustainability research, scholarly, and creative activities and leadership at CSULB on a local, regional, national, and international scale.
• Enhance the ability of the campus to attract state, federal, foundation, and private funds by leveraging the university’s identity as a leader in sustainability action and research.
• Involve and engage faculty, staff, and students in sustainability practices and activities through instruction, outreach, and student life activities.
The Commission consists of four Subcommittees that address and advance the Commission’s goals:
• Climate Action & Adaptation Plan Update Committee – focuses on strengthening our 2014 Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and communicating CAAP measures and goals to the campus community.
• Transportation Solutions Committee - focuses on identifying and implementing programs and policies that will promote a shift toward more sustainable transportation modes and ultimately a reduction in the university's transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainability in the Curriculum Committee - focuses on evaluating current courses that incorporate sustainability concepts and identifying strategies for increasing sustainability course offerings.
• Communications & Engagement Committee - focuses on raising awareness about campus sustainability efforts and programs and building the CSULB Sustainability "brand."
The PCS is one of three bodies that make up the President’s Joint Commission, consisting of Commissions on the Status of Women, Equity and Change, and Sustainability. In addition to working independently, the Commissions collectively work together to advance key initiatives for students, faculty, and community to reflect President Conoley’s strong focus on inclusion on and beyond campus.
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
While anyone can serve on a PCS Committee, the voting membership of the Commission is comprised of the following positions, which will be elected or appointed as outlined in the PCS bylaws:
• Four (4) Staff Commissioners (* indicates a permanent member)
o Vice President, Admin & Finance*
o Associate Vice President, Physical Planning & Facilities Management*
o Sustainability Coordinator*
o One staff member-at-large
• Three (3) community commissioners from the following groups
o Local business community, non-profit sector, NGOs, Community activists, both local and regional government representatives
• Three (3) student commissioners from the following groups (with* indicating a permanent member)
o ASI President or designee*
o Associated Students, Inc. Commissioner for Environmental Justice (or equivalent position)*
o Member-at-large – undergraduate or graduate student
• Eight (8) faculty commissioners
o Faculty members with an interest, knowledge and commitment to sustainability from across the university; at least one from each academic college and one at-large chosen by the University President
• Four (4) Staff Commissioners (* indicates a permanent member)
o Vice President, Admin & Finance*
o Associate Vice President, Physical Planning & Facilities Management*
o Sustainability Coordinator*
o One staff member-at-large
• Three (3) community commissioners from the following groups
o Local business community, non-profit sector, NGOs, Community activists, both local and regional government representatives
• Three (3) student commissioners from the following groups (with* indicating a permanent member)
o ASI President or designee*
o Associated Students, Inc. Commissioner for Environmental Justice (or equivalent position)*
o Member-at-large – undergraduate or graduate student
• Eight (8) faculty commissioners
o Faculty members with an interest, knowledge and commitment to sustainability from across the university; at least one from each academic college and one at-large chosen by the University President
Sustainability office(s)
Yes
A brief description of each sustainability office:
The Office of Planning and Sustainability is located and operates under Beach Building Services. The two full-time sustainability staff report to the Director of Planning and Sustainability. The office also employs 2 - 3 part-time student assistants at any given time. In addition, the Office also works in collaboration with several faculty members who hold official leadership positions aimed at advancing campus sustainability programs and initiatives.
The Sustainability Office actively works to develop, implement, and promote sustainability programs and initiatives that benefit the greater campus community. These include projects to promote sustainable operations, communication efforts meant to highlight and showcase the university's sustainability leadership, and academic programs and collaborations that support student learning about sustainability issues and solutions.
The Sustainability Office actively works to develop, implement, and promote sustainability programs and initiatives that benefit the greater campus community. These include projects to promote sustainable operations, communication efforts meant to highlight and showcase the university's sustainability leadership, and academic programs and collaborations that support student learning about sustainability issues and solutions.
Full-time equivalent of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
3.25
Sustainability officer(s)
Yes
Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Michael Gardner, Director of Planning & Sustainability Holli Fajack, Sustainability Coordinator Lilian Ledesma, Sustainability Program Specialist
Institution-wide coordination
Yes
A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:
Since adopting its Climate Action Plan (CAAP) in December 2014, CSULB has worked diligently to implement and meet its sustainability goals. Since then, the university, led by the Office of Sustainability, the Sustainability Task Force, and the President’s Commission on Sustainability (PCS), has:
- Completed multiple comprehensive greenhouse gas emission inventories
- Improved sustainability-focused communications through development and enhancement of channels such as website, social media, newsletter, promotional videos, and marketing campaigns
- Completed an assessment of sustainability course offerings and sustainability-focused faculty researched
- Developed and implemented the “Waste Not” zero waste program
- Contributed to the development of CSU systemwide sustainability policies
- Presented at multiple higher education sustainability conferences
- Updated the university’s 2014 Water Action Plan
- Hosted ongoing, award-winning campus/community engagement events (Earth Week & Sustainability Month)
- Furthering the campus’ sustainability goals as a charter signatory to the Second Nature Resilience Commitment
- Actively engaged in and consulted on the university’s comprehensive strategic planning effort, Beach 2030
- Provided input and guidance on the Campus Master Plan update
- Collaborated with numerous faculty to support student learning through the delivery of sustainability-focused academic content, projects, and programs.
- Completed multiple comprehensive greenhouse gas emission inventories
- Improved sustainability-focused communications through development and enhancement of channels such as website, social media, newsletter, promotional videos, and marketing campaigns
- Completed an assessment of sustainability course offerings and sustainability-focused faculty researched
- Developed and implemented the “Waste Not” zero waste program
- Contributed to the development of CSU systemwide sustainability policies
- Presented at multiple higher education sustainability conferences
- Updated the university’s 2014 Water Action Plan
- Hosted ongoing, award-winning campus/community engagement events (Earth Week & Sustainability Month)
- Furthering the campus’ sustainability goals as a charter signatory to the Second Nature Resilience Commitment
- Actively engaged in and consulted on the university’s comprehensive strategic planning effort, Beach 2030
- Provided input and guidance on the Campus Master Plan update
- Collaborated with numerous faculty to support student learning through the delivery of sustainability-focused academic content, projects, and programs.
Optional Fields
Job description (1st position)
Director of Planning & Sustainability
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Manages the long-range physical planning, development, and capital program for the campus. Provides space management and oversight of the space and facilities database. Manages sustainability office for the campus.
Job description (2nd position)
Sustainability Coordinator
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
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Job description (3rd position)
Sustainability Program Specialist
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability coordination is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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