California State University, Los Angeles
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

In October 2015, we embarked on a strategic planning initiative that sought to help the University community articulate a vision for Cal State LA’s future, and create a framework to make that vision a reality. A Strategic Planning Coordinating Committee, composed of faculty, staff, students, and administrative representatives, was created to lead this initiative. Our approach was collaborative, inclusive, and transparent, with a range of engagement opportunities that ensured every voice in our community was heard.

Cal State LA Zero Waste Plan, https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Sustainability/cal_state_la_zero_waste_plan.pdf

CSU Sustainability Policy: "The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process."

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process.
Required Metrics:
- Provide the number of sustainability- focused degree programs.
- Provide the number of sustainability-focused courses offered.
- Please list any courses or projects developed as part of the Campus as a Living Lab program.
- List any sustainability-related academic institutes at this campus.
Optional Metrics:
- Does the campus offer a SAGE/Sustainable City Year program or similar sustainability-related community partnership (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
- Please describe any other sustainability-focused academic programs or initiatives offered by the campus (Sustainability GE pathway, etc.).

Campus as a Living Lab, https://www2.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/sustainability/Pages/Campus-as-a-Living-Lab.aspx
Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science, http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/geos/ms-environmental-sciences
Sustainability Marketing, http://ecatalog.calstatela.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=25&poid=10871
ECST Professional Practices Program, http://www.calstatela.edu/ecst/seniordesign/senior-design

CSU Sustainability Policy: "The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process."

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process.
Required Metrics:

- Provide the number of faculty conducting research related to sustainability.
- Please indicate the number of academic departments conducting research related to sustainability.
- List any sustainability-related academic institutes at this campus.

Goal to integrate sustainability objectives in research above 2019 baseline by 2040, as outlined in Cal State LA's Climate Action Plan: https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Sustainability/cal_state_la_2019_climate_action_plan_-_final_online_version.pdf

See also:
Center for Energy and Sustainability, http://ceas.calstatela.edu
NASA Data Intensive Research and Education Center in STEM, http://www.calstatela.edu/centers/NASA_DIRECT_STEM/faculty
Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, http://www.calstatela.edu/ecst/h2station
EcoCAR3, http://www.calstatela.edu/orgs/EcoCAR3

Taken from 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Draft Reporting Metrics:

The CSU will develop employee and student workforce skills in the green jobs industry, promote the development of sustainable products and services, and foster economic development.

Required Metrics:
1. Does the campus offer sustainability-related student internship opportunities (either paid or for credit) (Y/N)? If so, please describe, and provide the number of participating students.
2. Does the campus offer continuing education courses that address sustainability and/or a sustainability-themed certificate program (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
3. Does the campus have an institute or research center in a relevant area that provides instruction or training to students, employee, and/or the community, or focus on the research, demonstration, or deployment of sustainable products or services (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
4. Does the campus offer sustainability-related training or professional development opportunities to staff (Y/N)? If so, please describe and provide the number of staff participating, if known.
Optional Metrics:
5. Does the campus hold Green Jobs networking events, a Career Fair featuring green companies, or similar events (Y/N)? If so, please describe.
6. Does the university offer an ongoing peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program for students?
7. Please describe any other relevant campus initiatives or programs related to this policy goal toward the goal of climate neutrality.

Goal to integrate sustainability objectives in campus engagement above 2019 baseline by 2040, as outlined in Cal State LA's Climate Action Plan: https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Sustainability/cal_state_la_2019_climate_action_plan_-_final_online_version.pdf

The Environmental Policy Committee formulates and encourages the adoption of policies that will make ASI's internal practices more environmentally sustainable. In addition the committee also seeks: 1) to collaborate with Cal State LA administrators to formulate and encourage the adoption of policies that will make Cal State LA a more environmentally sustainable campus; 2) to educate the on-campus community on the topic of environmental sustainability and environmental justice; and 3) to formulate and encourage the adoption of policies that will make the California State University system more environmentally sustainable working primarily through the California State Student Association.
https://asicalstatela.org/committee/environmental-policy-committee

Cal State LA's Campus Sustainability Committee (CSC) was created in 2016 in order to promote collaboration among faculty, students, and staff in the adoption of best practices, policies, projects and technologies to improve the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the campus community. The CSC serves in an advisory capacity to the President, and is charged with 1) educating and engaging campus stakeholders and external partners on sustainability issues, 2) integrating sustainability into campus policies and procedures, and 3) facilitating communication of initiatives, strategic plans, assessments, and updates on campus sustainability efforts, both internally and externally. http://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Sustainability/ap_428_interim_3-17-17.pdf

Goal to integrate sustainability objectives in public engagement by joining Los Angeles Regional Collaborative and Los Angeles Urban Cooling Collaborative by 2040, as outlined in Cal State LA's Climate Action Plan: https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Sustainability/cal_state_la_2019_climate_action_plan_-_final_online_version.pdf
See also:
Engineers for a Sustainable World, https://www.facebook.com/ESWCSULA/
Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good, http://www.calstatela.edu/engagement
LA Better Buildings Challenge, https://la-bbc.com
Educational Participation in Communities, http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/stuaffrs/epic/sl.html
Civic University, https://calstatela.patbrowninstitute.org/what-we-do/civic-university-2/civic-university-for-neighborhood-councils/
Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, https://calstatela.patbrowninstitute.org
Office of Service Learning, http://www.calstatela.edu/engagement/osl

Cal State LA's Climate Action Plan takes an integrated approach to climate change by covering both mitigation and adaptation planning. The first objective is to provide a strategy by which Cal State LA can reduce its carbon footprint to achieve operational carbon neutrality by the end of 2040, and full carbon neutrality by the end of 2045. The second objective is for Cal State LA to achieve climate resilience by actively adapting to Los Angeles’s changing climate. Cal State LA plans to achieve climate resilience with the completion of its strategic adaptation priorities by 2040.

CSU Sustainability Policy: "The CSU shall design and build all new buildings and major renovations to meet or exceed the minimum requirements equivalent to LEED “Silver.” Each campus shall strive to achieve a higher standard equivalent to LEED “Gold” or “Platinum” within project budget constraints. Each campus may pursue external certification through the LEED process."

Cal State LA's Climate Action Plan calls for the following sustainability objective that address buildings: 1) Establish Building Energy Use Benchmarks, 2) LEED Gold Minimum Certification Standard, and 3) Zero Net Energy Buildings.

CSU Sustainability Policy: "The CSU shall pursue energy procurement and production to reduce energy capacity requirements from fossil fuels, and promote energy independence using available economically feasible technology for on-site and/or renewable generation. The CSU shall endeavor to increase its self-generated energy capacity from 44 to 80 megawatts (MW) by 2020."

CSU Sustainability Policy: "1) All campus food service organizations should track their sustainable food purchases. Such tracking and reporting will be grounded in the Real Food Challenge guidelines, or equivalent, with consideration to campus requested improvements. Campuses shall strive to increase their sustainable food purchases to 20 percent of total food budget by 2020. 2) Campuses and food service organizations shall collaborate to provide information and/or training on sustainable food service operations to staff and patrons."

Sample Climate Action Plan goals:

Electrify Grounds Equipment: In January 2016, Facilities Services participated in SCAQMD’s lawn mower exchange program and subsequently purchased a zero-emission lawn mower and 12 cordless blowers with plans to upgrade to 100% zero-emissions grounds equipment.

Tree Campus USA: Cal State LA will grow and maintain a healthy urban forest on campus, and meet the five standards of Tree Campus USA program. There are numerous resources available to support this endeavor, such as free shade trees offered through City Plants and CalFire grant programs. A robust tree canopy provides critical shade and evaporative cooling benefits, and also improves air quality, stormwater management, energy efficiency, and overall public health benefits.

CSU Sustainability Policy: "1) Campuses will promote use of suppliers and/or vendors who reduce waste, re-purpose recycled material, or support other environmentally friendly practices in the provision of goods or services to the CSU under contract. This may include additional evaluation points in solicitation evaluations for suppliers integrating sustainable practices. 2) To move to zero waste, campus practices should: (1) encourage use of products that minimize the volume of trash sent to landfill or incinerators; (2) participate in the CalRecycle Buy-Recycled program or equivalent; and (3) increase recycled content purchases in all BuyRecycled program product categories. 3) Campuses shall continue to report on all recycled content product categories, consistent with PCC § 12153-12217 and shall implement improved tracking and reporting procedures for their recycled content purchases."

CSU Single-Use Plastics Policy (5236): "1) Eliminate single-use plastic water bottles by January 1, 2023 or upon contract renewal if existing contract terms prohibit. A 25% reduction in single-use plastic water bottles purchased and supplied will be achieved annually. 2) Eliminate plastic straws no later than January 1, 2019. 3) Eliminate single-use plastic carryout bags no later than January 1, 2019. 4) Eliminate single-use polystyrene (e.g. STYROFOAM™) food service items no later than January 1, 2021. 5) Replace single-use plastic items with materials that are reusable, locally compostable and/or recyclable."
https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Documents/5236-00.pdf

Cal State LA's Climate Action Plan calls for the following sustainability objective that address buildings: 1) Promote Active Transportation, 2) Expand Bike Infrastructure, 3) Expand Public Transportation Routes to Campus, 4) Carpool Program, 5) EV Charging Stations, 6) Metro U-Pass Program, and 7) Car Sharing.

Zero Waste Plan: "Cal State LA has implemented waste reduction and recycling programs to achieve the policy goals of the California State University Sustainability Policy, which are: 1) Reduce solid waste disposal by 50% by 2016, 2) Reduce solid waste disposal by 80% by 2020, and 3) Move to Zero Waste."

CSU Sustainability Policy: "All CSU campuses will pursue water resource conservation to reduce water consumption by 10 percent by 2016, and 20 percent by 2020 including such steps to develop sustainable landscaping, install controls to optimize irrigation water use, reduce water usage in restrooms and showers, and promote the use of reclaimed/recycled water. In the event of a declaration of drought, the CSU will cooperate with the state, city, and county governments to the greatest extent possible to reduce water use."

Cal State LA Adopts these CSU Policies and Procedures:

Executive Order 1095 (PDF) – Systemwide Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking Policy Executive Order 1095 Revised June 23, 2015

Executive Order 1096 (PDF) – Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, Sexual Misconduct, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking against Employees and Third Parties and Systemwide Procedure for Addressing Such Complaints by Employees and Third Parties
Executive Order 1096 Revised October 5, 2016

Executive Order 1097 (PDF) – Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Sexual Misconduct, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking against Students and Systemwide Procedure for Addressing Such Complaints by Students Executive Order 1097 Revised October 5, 2016

Executive Order 926 (PDF) – Policy on Disability Support and Accommodations
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (PDF)

Executive Order 1088 (PDF) – Systemwide Guidelines for Affirmative Action Programs in Employment

Cal State LA's Climate Action Plan outlines the following goals related to Diversity & Affordibility: 1) Join Coalition of Urban Serving Universities to address transformations in student success, encouraging campus-community partnerships, and ensuring greater diversity in professional employment, 2) Join the largest student movement against food waste and hunger in America, the Food Recovery Network, by recovering perishable food that would otherwise go to waste and donating it to people in need, 3) Establish student farm to increase student food security, reduce food waste, and eating healthy and locally produced foods, and 4) Expand Cal State LA's Food Pantry to better support the overall health and food security of Cal State LA students:
https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Sustainability/cal_state_la_2019_climate_action_plan_-_final_online_version.pdf

See also:
The Presidents' Council on Underserved Communities: CSU campus presidents advise the system on issues that affect students and their families in underserved communities.
http://www.calstate.edu/externalrelations/council/

Redefining Historically Underserved Students in the CSU: Moving Beyond Race and Economic Status to Close Equity Gaps, provides a framework to better understand the complexity of equity gaps in the CSU as we reflect on the differential support required to ensure all students succeed.
https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/why-the-csu-matters/Pages/closing-the-achievement-gap.aspx

Task Force on the Advancement of Ethnic Studies: In 2014, Chancellor Timothy P. White formed this statewide committee, which issued a report with recommendations about ethnic studies programs​.
https://www2.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/diversity/advancement-of-ethnic-studies

Established in 2016, Cal State LA's Green Revolving Fund (GRF) is intended to empower all members of the Cal State LA community to help create a more sustainable world. The mission of Cal State LA's GRF is to financially support projects that promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, waste reduction and other sustainability initiatives with a demonstrated return on investment. The GRF looks to the university's students, faculty and staff to contribute ideas on the best ways to invest in energy and sustainability projects that reduce utilities consumption and generate cost savings. http://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Sustainability/cal_state_la_green_revolving_fund_charter_v2_0.pdf

CSU Sustainability Policy: "The CSU will develop employee and student workforce skills in the green jobs industry, promote the development of sustainable products and services, and foster economic development."

CSU's Basic Needs Initiative takes a holistic look at students’ well-being both inside and outside the classroom, from housing and food security to mental health. Goals include: 1) Meeting students’ immediate food needs, 2) Providing students with short-term emergency housing, 3) Providing financial assistance for students in need, 4) Connecting students with resources, and 5) Offering additional support
https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Documents/10487-Basic-Needs-Flyer.pdf

CSU Sustainability Policy:

The CSU will pursue sustainable practices in all areas of the university, including: a. business operations such as procurement; information technology; student services; food services; facilities operations; design and construction; and b. self-funded entities such as student housing, student unions, parking, children’s centers, and auxiliary operations.

Each CSU is encouraged to designate a sustainability officer responsible for carrying out and/or coordinating campus sustainability program efforts.

CSU Sustainability Policy: "As stated at the March 2014 board meeting, the Board of Trustees has been a proponent of energy conservation and other sustainability measures and has had established policies since 1978. This proposed revised policy is broader than prior policies and more inclusive of all areas of the university community. The policy aims not only to reduce the university’s impact on the environment and educate our students, faculty and staff on sustainable practices, but also to incorporate sustainability principles and climate science in our educational offerings."

On April 4, 2016, Cal State LA’s President Covino signed the most comprehensive of Second Nature’s three Climate Leadership Commitments, the Climate Commitment. This commitment includes the publication of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
inventories, a campus-community resilience assessment, active support of a joint campus-community resilience task force, development of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan, and the annual evaluation of progress toward carbon neutrality and climate resilience goals.