Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.28
Liaison Austin Eriksson
Submission Date Feb. 29, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

California State University, Northridge
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Max Reyes
Assistant Director
Government & Community Relations
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Does the institution advocate for national, state/provincial, or local public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability?:
Yes

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A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
The CSU Chancellor's Office of Advocacy and State Relations (ASR) represents and advocates for California State University interests with state government through effective advocacy, outreach and communication and relations with the Legislature, state agencies and other external entities with the support of the system office, campuses, alumni and other supporters. In addition to system wide advocacy efforts, sustainability is one of CSUN’s campus priorities, under the leadership of President Dianne Harrison. Last academic year, CSUN achieved a 7% water reduction and we project a 17% reduction in 2015-16, putting the university well on track to reach the CSU’s goal of a 20% reduction by 2020. Other successes include the implementation of E-Travel last fall, which has resulted in an 80% reduction in paper processing; and, through the leadership of the University Corporation, which manages the campus’s food services, we have developed a campus “real food” program that promotes natural and locally sourced food. The plan will include the recovery of dining program food wastes to convert to compost. CSUN has also recently highlighted the Institute of Sustainability with our Legislative Aides Association, consisting of representatives from offices of elected officials from the federal, state, and local levels, and we continue to highlight environmental stewardship to policymakers in the region.

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A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years:
Related to sustainability, the CSU system has taken a position on the following legislation: - SB 350 (De Leon) which established targets to increase renewable electricity to 50% by 2030…the Governor signed SB 350. CSU had a WATCH position. - SB 286 (Hertzberg) increases direct access services across the state, including the CSU…we have a SUPPORT position on SB 286, but the measure has been slowed down in the legislative process. SB 286 is a 2-year measure that we continue to support. - AB 1150 (Levine) authorized public owned utilities to expands Energy Efficiency Partnership Programs to include the CSU and UC…the Governor signed AB 1150. The CSU had a SUPPORT position and ASR worked with UC to advocate for this expansion.

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A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
N/A

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The website URL where information about the institution’s advocacy efforts is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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