San Jose State University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

A Director of State and Local Government Relations was hired in 2019 at the end of the strategic planning process as a direct report to the Office of the President. The hire was part of the implementation planning group to achieve the outcomes of plan, one of which, Rebuild and Renew, specifically calls for SJSU to become a leader in environmental sustainability.

SJSU Facilities and Sustainability staff work closely with city and county government officials to take a holistic approach to managing local water, energy, and waste infrastructure such as expanding the recycled water infrastructure that will serve the campus and the surrounding community. This close communication ensures that local policy is created with the university in mind and that key university stakeholders participate in the local policy making process.

SJSU is part of a 23 campus University system represented by the CSU Chancellors office. The Chancellors office works to advocate on a statewide level for all of the CSU's. The CSU participates in public policy through open dialogue with the State Relations & Advocacy Office which advocates through lobbying efforts on behalf of the CSU system. The CSU’s Advocacy and State Relations (ASR) team monitor all sustainability legislation that impacts the CSU specifically. It also participates in state-wide advocacy on issues like climate change policy, energy efficiency, water resources and other utility issues that impact the operation and physical facilities. ASR and the Chancellor’s Office also work with the Governor’s Office Sustainability Task Force and are members of the Direct Access Customer Coalition and the Alliance for Retail Markets advocacy groups to advocate for the best interest of the CSU on energy and sustainability efforts.
The CSU wrote letters, met with legislative staff, and testified at budget subcommittee hearings in order to express the CUS's support for strong research funding for projects related to climate change.
The CSU’s work in collaboration with the Board of Trustees when adopting new policies to ensure that all stakeholders are considered when making decisions in regards to the implementation of system-wide sustainability.
The California State University Board of Trustees adopted a comprehensive Sustainability Policy for the first time in 2014.

Federal and state advocacy efforts must be coordinated and consistent with positions taken by the CSU Board of Trustees (BOT). As such, unless the BOT takes a position, we do not engage in advocacy efforts to support legislation at the local, state or federal level.

In 2017, the CSU signed the We Are Still In pledge and coalition of over 1,400 cities, states, businesses and universities who are standing together to maintain U.S. leadership on climate change and clean energy. For more information, please visit: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/CSU-Statement-on-Joining-%E2%80%98We-Are-Still-In%E2%80%99-Climate-Declaration.aspx

In addition, the CSU Office of the Chancellor staff and administrators contribute public comments and legislative bill analysis on behalf of CSU.

The CSU has 29 centers and institutes dedicated to
environmental and energy issues – with many more dedicated
to food and water studies. The combined capacity of 23
campuses supports the CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science
and Technology, the CSU Agricultural Research Institute and the
CSU Water Resources & Policy Initiatives. Such initiatives help the CSU partner with government agencies and industry, raise awareness on careers, and provide a base to commercialize new ideas.