Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 63.01
Liaison Holli Fajack
Submission Date May 9, 2024

STARS v2.2

California State University, Long Beach
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Holli Fajack
Sustainability Manager
Office of Sustainability, Beach Building Services
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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:
1. The Environmental Science & Policy Club - The CSULB Environmental Science & Policy (ES&P) Club helps to spread awareness, education, and appreciation of the environment on campus and in our local community through club activities, such as coastal clean-ups, hikes, habitat restoration projects, Earth Week & Earth Day events, tabling, guest speakers, and more. This group is governed by student members. 2. The Cycling Club - This group is determined to promote cycling as a fun, valued, and sustainable transportation choice on and off campus through community, advocacy, and education. This group is governed by student members. 3. Geography Student Association - This group coordinates local events and programming that suits geography major/minor students including lectures, land restoration projects, networking events, cultural dinners, and more. This group is governed by student members. 4. The Marine Biology Student Association - A student-run organization for students interested in marine life and science to come together and form a like-minded and passionate cohort. Members are not only encouraged to discuss current events in marine biology but also to make friends and socialize through off-campus events like beach clean-ups and local snorkeling trips. This group is governed by student members. 5. Wilderness Expedition Club & Outdoor Adventure Club - This club is designed to provide a community for individuals seeking to share wilderness adventures. These adventures can vary from simple day hikes to long expeditions including climbing, backpacking, surfing, kayaking, mountaineering, and more. 6. Cease Animal Torture (CAT) - This is an intersectional animal rights group advocating for animal, human, and earth liberation. It brings together students who aim to provide information and resources to those who are interested in veganism, animal rights, and liberation activism. 7. Students for Justice in Palestine: California State University Long Beach's Students for Justice in Palestine is an organization made up of students, faculty members, staff, and community members devoted to promoting justice in Palestine. 8. Climate Action Team: A community of students who want to take action against the negative impacts of climate change and carbon pollution on society. 9. Rewild CSULB: Students dedicated to working toward changing campus land management practices to be more organic. The group seeks to work together with student groups and grounds teams to change their land management practices. 10. Water Resources Student Association: This student organization operates exclusively to the following purpose: to promote and inspire the enrichment of water resource applications, focusing on improving the knowledge of and practice of sustainability, water conveyance systems, water-related technologies, and appreciation of water sources. 11. SustainU: A student-led initiative aimed at promoting sustainability education through a series of workshops, interactive demonstrations, and regular meetings. Sustain U also oversees and maintains the Grow Beach Garden 12. ASI PANTRY: ASI Beach Pantry operates as the official food pantry for Long Beach State University (LBSU) students https://www.csulb.edu/sustainability/clubs-organizations

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 California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Grow Beach Garden is a collaborative project initiated to provide fresh and organic food that is accessible to all students. With the involvement of CSULB students, faculty, staff, and campus volunteers, we promote sustainable garden practices that benefit the entire CSULB community. Grow Beach Garden has been relocated to a more convenient and centralized location near Friendship Walk to make it more visible to campus constituents. ASI Sustain U currently oversees Grow Beach Garden and its daily operations. One of the critical aspects of Grow Beach is our partnership with faculty and academic departments. We provide students with service-learning opportunities in the garden, allowing them to gain practical experience while earning academic credit. This interdisciplinary approach fosters a deeper understanding of sustainable practices and encourages collaboration across different fields of study. In 2019, we won an award from the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference (CHESC) for energy and sustainability best practices, addressing food sustainability through food recovery, gardening, and knowledge. The Grow Beach Garden addresses food insecurity on campus by donating fresh produce to the ASI Beach Pantry. It ensures that students without access to nutritious food receive support within our community. The Grow Beach Garden is an exciting opportunity to learn, come together, and contribute to sustainable gardening practices. https://www.asicsulb.org/corporate/discover/sustain-u/about-grow-beach

Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
Yes

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
The Student Swap Shop is a student-run initiative that provides students with the opportunity to swap unneeded or old school supplies, like books, notebooks, and other items essential to education. The Student Swap Shop is housed within the ASI Beach Pantry, a campus food pantry that provides non-perishable food and personal care items to students in need. https://asicsulb.org/corporate/discover/beach-pantry

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 President's Commission on Sustainability (PCS) is allocated an annual budget to provide financial support for campus sustainability initiatives. Those seeking funding from the PCS are required to submit a proposal explaining the request for funds and the anticipated impact of the initiative, which is voted on by the PCS members. Past initiatives funded by the PCS include supporting annual Earth Month events, faculty sustainability curriculum workshops, and bike infrastructure projects. https://www.csulb.edu/sustainability/presidents-commission-sustainability

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:
The annual Green Generation Showcase at CSULB is an event that highlights the research, scholarly, and creative activity of students and faculty. Projects which incorporate sustainability issues and themes are solicited from students and faculty representing all disciplines. A panel of judges evaluates the projects and "best in show" awards are given for projects in 6 different categories. The campus and Long Beach community are invited to the event to learn about the ways that students are exploring sustainability issues and solutions through their research and work.

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:
sm[ART]box was a sustainable design project installed on Cal State Long Beach by Doris Sung’s TBM Designs firm which showcased an innovative self-cooling sustainable design from December 2019 through early 2023. Presented by Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, the structure repurposed a 20-foot steel shipping container and sparked the imagination with its smart material-based technology. TBM Designs’ collaborative project offered a multi-disciplinary approach and vanguard design application which prompted discussion of a sustainable future Museum at the Mall series | Through November 2022, Los Cerritos Center The Museum hosted pop-up art workshops at Los Cerritos Center, often featuring sustainable materials and projects. Utilizing naturally found elements, such as local flora, educators guided children and families in making projects free of charge inside the mall facilities. Finished works included pendants with imprinted leaves, found art collages, and air-dry pinch pots made from recycled paper, as opposed to traditional clay pottery. Second Saturday Family Day | March 12, 2022 Solar Power Theme An Art Park tour focused on how solar heat drives the movement within the sm[ART]box installation. Artist Cheryl Lommatsch guided visitors in making and decorating planter vessels out of sustainable materials. Visitors made solar prints (cyanotypes) using only photo-sensitive paper, found objects and foliage, and the power of the sun. Second Saturday Family Day | April 9, 2022 Earth Month Theme Family Day Activities themed around Earth Month featured yoga facilitated by Student Health Services, sculpture garden and Art Park tours, sustainable-making activities, and interactive stations with the CSULB Science Center. Visitors were encouraged to explore native and water-wise plant gardens, make plant labels on fallen bark, and color pages from the Museum’s own native plant coloring book. Partners at the CSULB Science Center helped folks examine and draw the shapes, structures, and behaviors of several common critters in our local environment. They also experimented with the energy of the sun by designing and assembling a solar oven. Printmaking for Earth Day How to Save a Planet | April 22, 2022 In collaboration with the CSULB Printmaking Club, the Museum hosted a free printmaking event on Patron’s Plaza that encouraged ecologic mindfulness through art making. Student artists designed printmaking plates with visual messages about conversation, reuse, and environmental stewardship. From these plates, visitors could have tote bags, clothing items, or other provided fabric printed on-site with their chosen work of art. This free exchange created a great opportunity to learn about and support the circular economy with reusable items. Juan Gomez: Beautiful Blood/Sangre Hermosa | September 6–December 22, 2022 The Museum presented an exhibition in the Community Gallery by artist Juan Gomez who sourced many recycled materials from the shipping and receiving department of his workplace. Tied, tangled, and stitched into existence, the soft sculptures of the Long Beach-based artist honored his ancestors and his immediate family’s immigration experiences, trials, and tribulations. The mixed media works exhibited expressed heartfelt kinship, as Gomez pays homage to his family members’ individuality, labor, and tenacity through their journeys into the United States.

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:
The ASI Student Recreation and Wellness Center offers Outdoor Adventure Trips, a fee-based program that features activities such as rock climbing, snowboarding, hiking, and kayaking. Trips include experienced leaders, transportation, equipment, and food. All trips follow Leave No Trace principles. Examples of two principles are: 1. Dispose of waste: participants are informed of what to do about micro and macro trash along with how to dispose of human waste properly. 2. Leave what you find: participants are encouraged to take pictures and nothing else from the natural environment. https://www.asirecreation.org/rock-outdoor/outdoor-adventures

Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
No

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

Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
No

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
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Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
CSULB Office of Sustainability The Office of Sustainability in CSULB’s Beach Building Services department offers a variety of internship and student assistant positions. Student interns and assistants help with campus sustainability efforts and specific projects. ASI/USU Sustainability Assistant Positions These paid student assistants develop and support Associated Students, Inc and University Student Union sustainability programs and initiatives under the direction of the ASI/USU Facilities Director and Associate Director. ASI Commissioner for Environmental Justice This is a one-year, paid position within the ASI President’s Cabinet. Responsibilities are to promote awareness of ASI sustainability efforts, develop sustainability strategies, and advise student government on campus sustainability efforts." Sustainable Transportation Program Parking and Transportation Services houses the campus Sustainable Transportation Program, which is staffed by a full-time coordinator and one to two Student Assistants. Students support the campus's sustainable transportation programs and initiatives including data collection, program development and research, and outreach events. https://www.csulb.edu/sustainability/jobs-internships-community-service

Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
Yes

A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
The Office of Sustainability provides a Green Graduation Pledge for recent graduates to encourage them to make environmentally conscious decisions in their personal lives and career choices and ensure that they do their part in creating a more equitable, sustainable world. Specific actions that graduates can choose to pledge to include learning how their chosen career or field impacts the environment, communicating expectations about environmental stewardship to their employers, and modeling sustainable behaviors in the workplace and in their personal lives. https://www.csulb.edu/sustainability/become-a-green-grad

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:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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