Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 59.82
Liaison Joanne Wong
Submission Date Feb. 10, 2021

STARS v2.2

Mills College
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Joanne Wong
Sustainability Coordinator
Campus Facilities
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Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee?:
Yes

The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:

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


Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:

Sustainability Committee
Linda Zitzner, Asst. Vice President of Operations, Co-Chair
Karen Fiene, Director of Construction, Compliance, and Sustainability, Co-Chair
Joanne Wong, Sustainability Coordinator, Co-Chair
Kate Karniouchina, Dean, Lorry I. Lokey School of Business and Public Policy
Mark Henderson, Assistant Professor of Public Policy
Kristina Faul, Associate Professor of Geochemistry & Environment
Sarah Swope, Assistant Professor of Biology
Karina Izazaga-Munoz, Associated Students of Mills College (ASMC) Sustainability Senator
Nell Hayes, Associated Students of Mills College (ASMC) Student Services Chair
Caitlyn Marianacci, Masters in Education Student, Climate Justice Task Force
Coco Gutman, Psychology Student, Climate Justice Task Force
Dalia Bender, Campus Sustainability Eco-Representative, Climate Justice Task Force
Rachel Pignata, MBA and Economics Student, Energy Committee
Rebecca Robles, MBA Student
Keelia Murphy, Executive Assistant, Office of the Dean, Lorry I. Lokey School of Business and Public Policy
Tayler Hammond, Administrative Assistant, Lorry I. Lokey School of Business and Public Policy
Merilee McCormick, General Manager, Bon Appetit @ Mills College Dining Services
Julia Dashe, Farm Manager, Mills Community Farm


Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent employee?:
Yes

A brief description of each sustainability office:

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.


Full-time equivalent of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
1.50

Does the institution have at least one sustainability officer?:
Yes

Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Joanne Wong, Sustainability Coordinator

Does the institution have a mechanism for broad sustainability coordination for the entire institution?:
Yes

A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:

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.

The Eco-Representative Program continues to support, mentor and engage students in gaining experience with sustainability efforts at Mills.

The 2019 Mills Transportation Fair resulted in over 100 carpooling application downloads.

The Bay Area Spring Break 2019 Food and Environmental Justice in Action spring break field trip.

The Girl Scouts Think Like a Citizen Scientist and Creek Care Day events with Mills Earth Month, including City of Oakland Earth Day Creek Care and the Mills Community Farm Festival.


Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Sustainability Coordinator

Job description for the sustainability officer position:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability coordination is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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