Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 77.74
Liaison Ian McKeown
Submission Date March 4, 2022

STARS v2.2

Loyola Marymount University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Jessica Hernandez
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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:

ECO Students (Environmentally Conscious and Organized Students) is a student-governed group that educates the student population on environmental issues affecting the world and what can be done. Students have participated in small initiatives, like promoting refillable water bottles, or large campaigns like working to eliminate coal power plants with the Sierra Club.

USGBC Students is a student-governed group that seeks to educate the LMU community in the field of green building design. The student group hosts a variety of campus wide programs, like the LMU Lights Out building energy competition so that students may develop an understanding and appreciation for the green buildings already established on campus.

Bike LMU focuses on sustainable transportation and increasing bike presence on campus. Bike LMU hosts bike rides, education events, and awarness campaigns related to environmentalism and biking in general.

Environmental Responsibility ASLMU - ASLMU (Student Government Green Representatives). These sustainability representatives of student government focus on sustainability initiatives on campus, working with administrators, working with the sustainability office, hosting sustainability events, and raising campus awareness.

Espérer - An all-female service organization on campus that focuses on bettering the community through preserving justice and growth of individuals. They also promote knowledge of sustainable practices in local communities in hopes to create a "freer, greener world".

The Loyola Marymount University Surf Club strives to foster students’ interest both in surfing, ocean science, and environmental issues that impact the oceans.

Engineers Without Borders – LMU supports community-driven development programs worldwide through the design and implementation of sustainable engineering projects, while fostering responsible leadership.


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 LIONS Garden was created on the LMU campus to raise awareness and participation of the student population in agricultural sustainability. The garden features raised beds that allow students the most diverse education in urban farming techniques. Students learn about soil fertility, composting, and the best practices for organic gardening in urban environments. The purpose is to reacquaint new generations with knowledge of how to plan and implement the garden to be both agriculturally beneficial and sustainable. The garden allows LMU to put words into action, and environmental innovations are brought to life to showcase their viability. The garden feature innovations such as rainwater harvesting, storm water management through a bioswale, a hydroponic tower garden, and 97% recycled plastic tables and benches. The LIONS Garden also features a peace pole that was installed to create a sacred space for reflection based on a deep respect for inter-faith and inter-cultural perspectives.


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 Lion's Den is a student-run coffee shop with a friendly, energetic staff. They serve only 100% Fair Trade, Shade Grown, Organic Coffees. They also serve pastries and fair trade chocolate. Spring 2017 the Lion's Den gave away free reusable coffee mugs and a stamp card to earn free coffee with the mug to encourage students to use reusable mugs.

Campus Garden is a space maintained by students. It is for students to plant and harvest herbs, fruits, and vegetables. They make sure the plants in the garden require minimal water, plant trees to help sequester carbon, and have installed features to trap and filter water run off.

Lion Wellness hosts Wellness Wednesdays, held every Wednesday on campus. Local farmers as well as local vendors are invite each week. Stress relieving crafts as well as other activities occur during the event.


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 Student Investment Fund at LMU's College of Business Administration was designed to provide students with a valuable hands-on experience gained through practical knowledge in researching, choosing, investing, monitoring and measuring the performance of stocks.
Our mission is to offer students the opportunity to apply the theories they learn in class which will give them the needed skills to manage funds through investment and security analysis. As this type of knowledge and understanding is usually obtained through on-the-job training, participating students are rewarded by being immediately prepared to pursue financial careers following graduation.

The recently launched Responsible Investing Advisory Committee (RIAC) at LMU has a student representative, who is appointed to a two-year term. This student is responsible for reporting the opinions and perceptions of LMU undergraduates to the Committee. Students are also able to present environmental, social, or governance (ESG) financial recommendations to the RIAC. This allows students to directly engage in the RI process.


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:

2019-2020

Green LMU partnered with Campus Ministy ad Public Safety to host its annual bike sale. All proceeds from the sales benefit Campus Ministry's weekend service immersion trips to Mexico. Students and staff also also introuced to the campus bike shop, The Cycling Lion.

LMU hosted the Osprey Pole Dedication. The 60-foot high nesting pole was created through partnership with CURes, Southern California Edison, and the nonprofit Gottlieb. The osprey pole will aid in research as the university studies the birds' behaviors over time

Green LMU partnered with Hyundai to host the first ever Fill It Forward Challenge. The competition was among Pepperdine and Santa Clara for a change to win a $100,000 grant towards Sustainability. The competition focused on three main aspects 1) Promoting water sustainability 2) Offering a first hand look at the future of electrified and fuel cell mobility 3)Preparing students to be leaders in areas of climate change and environmental sustainability.

Green LMU partnered with Men's Basketball to compete in the Annual Recyclemania Game Day Challenge. The competition is held among different universities nationwide competing to reduce the amount of waste produced during one home game.


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:

April 4-5, 2020 - LMU hosted the 7th Annual GNG Green Earth Film Festival. The film festival brings together seasoned industry professionals as well as students. The film festival promotes "the power of film to start conversations and effect positive change in the environment."


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:

First-year LMU students can apply for ROAR (Recreational and Outdoor Activities in Rosecrans) program. This program allows students with a passion for outdoor adventure to live together in Rosecrans Hall and participate in outdoor activities. Students can participate in outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, kayaking, or simply barbequing at the beach. The ROAR program has hosted events such as Marina Del Rey Kayak Trip, Joshua Tree National Camping Trip, and even skiing and snowboarding on Big Bear Mountain.

Outdoor club takes student outdoors hiking etc. Founded in 2018.

Ski Club

Rock Climbing Club

Surf Club


Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
Yes

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

There is a pilot program that is called Green Lion and the purpose of the program is to inform the students of the various changes that LMU has been making to the campus to make it more sustainable. For instance, reducing waste and increasing recycling efforts are some of the recent changes LMU is making to make the campus more green along with using solar panels to supplement energy needs. This program is currently available to 20% of incoming first-year students along with the Healthy Living and Learning Initiative. The program is being expanded to include a larger percentage of incoming first-year students and the hope is that it will be expanded campus wide.

living the green life in residence life.


Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

Sustainable Living Experience (SLE) is a learning community for about 20 students who live together in a designated residence hall. These students promote and practice sustainable living. These students also enroll in designated sustainability classes and serve as Eco-Ambassadors for the campus.


Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:

Student employment is a large part of the LMU experience. National Reports and LMU Retention Statistics indicate that students who work are more successful because of the skills and experience they obtain on the job. The Office of Sustainability employees student workers to support the office and projects the department works on. The Office of Sustainability shares other student employees on joint projects and strategic partnerships of the office. Additionally, the on campus recycling center employs 7 student workers year-round to help pay their tuition.


Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):

N/A


A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:

Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Committee:
In March of 2007 President Lawton created the Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Committee (E2SC), with the charge of identifying how we as a university could ideally care for our planet in our actions, while balancing real world complexities such as fiscal constraints and competing values. The committee comprises students, faculty and staff and meets regularly to discuss campus programs, events and initiatives related to sustainability.

The ASLMU Director of Environmental Responsibility is appointed each year by the elected Student President and Vice President. His/her duties include managing the bi-weekly Farmers' Market, planning and co-sponsoring events to raise environmental awareness, and being the principal advocate for students regarding resource consumption, recycling and waste management, campus sustainability and environmental justice outside of LMU. He/She maintains a Environmental Responsibility Committee each year. Applications to be a committee member are on the ASLMU website at ASLMU.org.

The Center for Santa Monica Bay Studies (Center), established in 2008, is a joint program of the Seaver College of Science and Engineering at Loyola Marymount University and The Bay Foundation. The mission of the Center is to engage in multidisciplinary research on environmental and social issues affecting Santa Monica Bay and its watersheds, and to contribute to policies and actions that improve the environmental conditions of the Bay and surrounding urban areas. The Center is a joint program of the two institutions, whose collaborative efforts provide a regional organizing body connecting research across disciplines, as well as a forum for the dissemination and discussion of results, and an opportunity for active student participation and involvement through hands-on learning experiences.


Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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