Mills College
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Mills College has exceeded its “15 by 15” goal of reducing its fiscal year 2015 greenhouse gas emissions by 15% from fiscal year 2008 emissions. The Sustainability Committee is in the process of developing the next Mills GHG reduction target and Climate Action Plan on the path to climate neutrality. During the past three years, the operating budget for the Sustainability Center has increased and been maintained even as other budgets have been cut. A subcommittee of the Sustainability Committee completed a five-year development plan for an Urban Farm at Mills College, and has received $650,000 in grants and donations that have allowed Mills to hire a farm manager and begin implementation of the plan. Mills became the first college in a national program to deploy mobile solar generators in partnership with solar company DC Solar Freedom. Mills has deployed 12 solar generators so far and is contracted to deploy up to 18 more units, each with approximately 50kWh battery capacity. These solar generators immediately reduce our reliance on fossil-fuel based energy and increase our emergency preparedness. Many of these solar units are connected to services including electric vehicle charging stations, LED light towers, and personal device charging work stations. Sustainability Committee members’ deep engagement in the strategic planning process culminated in a strong institutional commitment to further inclusion, social justice and sustainability. A working group that included faculty and staff from the Sustainability Committee investigated the place of social justice, civic engagement, and sustainability in a liberal arts college for women and in our co-educational graduate programs and contributed to the following vision: The strategic imperative 3, to strengthen our commitment to inclusion, social justice, and sustainability includes: 1) Providing opportunities for students to connect Mills’ experiences to interests in diversity, social justice, and sustainability. In thinking about this imperative, Mills can be a “living laboratory” to define and redefine social justice, build community, engage with communities beyond campus, and live in sustainable, climate-neutral ways. Mills is a campus full of intellectual and physical resources for our own learning about social justice and sustainability and for the larger Oakland community as well. Learning in this “laboratory” is not only extracurricular but also connected to the curriculum. 2) Creating an environment inclusive of all diversity. Creating a just, equitable, and inclusive environment for all students, while paying attention to diversity along many lines of identity including, for example, race, class, sexual orientation, ability, spirituality and religious diversity is ongoing work. 3) Focusing on sustainability across campus. Mills has been committed to sustainability for years. However, learning to live it in every aspect of our working lives remains a challenge. While Mills can be a learning laboratory of sustainability, helping students learn through curricular and co-curricular work about social justice and equality in the world around them, it is imperative that the Mills community live and model the value we hold dear. Mills will pursue initiatives which enable us to be viewed as a 21st century college committed to sustainability with efforts including developing a campus farm, adopting energy savings measures, promoting food justice and participating in the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment to lessen our environmental footprint.

Mission The Sustainability Committee: •promotes and develops environmentally sustainable practices, social responsibility and campus stewardship; •provides policy leadership; •facilitates community partnerships; •encourages environmental inquiry, research and education; •inspires future leaders in sustainability

Sustainability Committee 15-16 Linda Zitzner, Asst. Vice President of Operations, Co-Chair Karen Fiene, Director of Construction, Compliance, and Sustainability, Co-Chair Nicole Gaetjens, Sustainability Coordinator, Co-Chair Dorothy Calimeris, Director of Auxiliary Services Carolyn Sherwood Call, Visiting Assistant Professor, MBA Program Niviece Robinson, Director of Public Safety Michelle de Sousa Moore, Director of Residential Life Jane Langner, Graduate Student Representative (MPP Program) Jennie Goldfarb, Graduate Student Representative (MPP Program) Saiqaa Nuri, Undergraduate Student Representative (PP Program) Rachel Patterson, Associated Students of Mills College (ASMC) President Octavia Sun, ASMC Sustainability Senator Mark Henderson, Assistant Professor of Public Policy Kristina Faul, Associate Professor of Geochemistry & Environment Jasmin Ansar, Assistant Professor of Economics Sarah Swope, Assistant Professor of Biology Sharon Tatai, Mills alumnae and former Board of Trustees member Roselia Zendejas, Operations Manager, Bon Appetit@Mills College Dining Services

The Sustainability Center provides opportunities for the campus community to be involved in ecological restoration, resource stewardship, creative transportation strategies, and sustainable food systems initiatives. Students are provided with the resources necessary to accomplish effective sustainability advocacy and project implementation, giving them the experience required to succeed in future leadership roles. The Sustainability Center encourages the cultivation of innovative sustainable practices, opportunities to apply research, and educational outreach.

The Sustainability Coordinator manages the college’s sustainability programs, with the Sustainability Center as the home base. Projects include waste reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energy, creek restoration, carbon footprint analysis, green dining and catering programs, and green transportation. This person reports to the Director of Construction, Compliance, and Sustainability, is part of the Facilities Department, and co-chairs the Sustainability Committee. This position oversees 4 student work-study "Eco-Rep" students who work to further the Sustainability Center's goals.