| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 50.52 |
| Liaison | Alicia Hodenfield |
| Submission Date | Feb. 18, 2021 |
Sonoma State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 4.00 |
Claudia
Luke Director of the Center for Environmental Inquiry Science and Tech Instruction |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives
Academics
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Sonoma State approved a new GE curricular revision on May 23, 2019.
1. The revision contains an objective to implement a graduation requirement of either a class in sustainability and environmental resilience or a class in global awareness. The plan approved is to begin the approval process for classes that will meet the graduation requirements this Spring 2021. This is ongoing and should be ready for Fall 2021.
2. A second objective is to begin assessment of the graduation requirement. An assessment plan has been developed and begins Spring 2022 to design assessment rubrics for this requirement.
1. The revision contains an objective to implement a graduation requirement of either a class in sustainability and environmental resilience or a class in global awareness. The plan approved is to begin the approval process for classes that will meet the graduation requirements this Spring 2021. This is ongoing and should be ready for Fall 2021.
2. A second objective is to begin assessment of the graduation requirement. An assessment plan has been developed and begins Spring 2022 to design assessment rubrics for this requirement.
Engagement
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
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Operations
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
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Administration
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
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Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document
Yes
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Minor theme
Optional Fields
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
Yes
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
From the CSU Sustainability Policy:
The policy “aims to not only reduce the university’s impact on the environment and educate our students, faculty, and staff on sustainable practices, but also to incorporate sustainability principles and climate science in our educational offerings” (CA State University Sustainability Policy Proposal, page 1).
The policy summarizes goals and intent in the first four numbered points, subtitled “University Sustainability”:
1. The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process.
2. The CSU will develop employee and student workforce skills in the green jobs industry, promote the development of sustainable products and services, and foster economic development.
3. The CSU will pursue sustainable practices in all areas of the university, including:
a. Business operations such as procurement; information technology; student
service; food services; facilities operations; design and construction; and
b. Self-funded entities such as student housing, student unions, parking,
children’s centers, and auxiliary operations.
4. Each CSU is encouraged to designate a sustainability officer responsible for carrying out and/or coordinating campus sustainability program efforts.
The policy goes on to call out objectives in the following subject areas: Climate Action Plan, Energy Independence and Procurement, Energy Conservation and Utility Management, Water Conservation, Waste Management, Sustainable Procurement, Sustainable Food Service, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management.
The policy “aims to not only reduce the university’s impact on the environment and educate our students, faculty, and staff on sustainable practices, but also to incorporate sustainability principles and climate science in our educational offerings” (CA State University Sustainability Policy Proposal, page 1).
The policy summarizes goals and intent in the first four numbered points, subtitled “University Sustainability”:
1. The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process.
2. The CSU will develop employee and student workforce skills in the green jobs industry, promote the development of sustainable products and services, and foster economic development.
3. The CSU will pursue sustainable practices in all areas of the university, including:
a. Business operations such as procurement; information technology; student
service; food services; facilities operations; design and construction; and
b. Self-funded entities such as student housing, student unions, parking,
children’s centers, and auxiliary operations.
4. Each CSU is encouraged to designate a sustainability officer responsible for carrying out and/or coordinating campus sustainability program efforts.
The policy goes on to call out objectives in the following subject areas: Climate Action Plan, Energy Independence and Procurement, Energy Conservation and Utility Management, Water Conservation, Waste Management, Sustainable Procurement, Sustainable Food Service, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability is one of the most critical global and ethical challenges of our time. We are dedicated to infusing sustainability into everything we do – in our academic and co-curricular programs, our physical campus and operations, our services, and our collaborations with communities of the North Bay. Our students graduate prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century and to make an impact in the community and the world.
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | No |
| SDG Accord | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Sonoma State University will define, organize, fund, and implement sustainability programs and structures. Students, faculty, staff and administrators will build a campus environment that focuses on the environmental, economic, and cultural implications of sustainability. The university will expand academic programs for students and faculty, support sustainable technology and planning on campus, and partner on and off campus to improve the University’s sustainability profile.
Goals:
Empower students to contribute to sustainability in their careers through curricular and co-curricular programs engaging the campus and the community.
Continually lower campus natural resource use, considering best sustainable practices in
buildings, water use, energy, food service, facilities, residential life, procurement, grounds, and waste diversion.
Promote sustainability in the SSU service area through partnerships between community
organizations, faculty, staff, administrators and students.
Build common cause across campus constituencies to develop a sustainable campus environment.
Seek external support for sustainability programs and activities.
Position SSU as a leader in regional sustainability.
Goals:
Empower students to contribute to sustainability in their careers through curricular and co-curricular programs engaging the campus and the community.
Continually lower campus natural resource use, considering best sustainable practices in
buildings, water use, energy, food service, facilities, residential life, procurement, grounds, and waste diversion.
Promote sustainability in the SSU service area through partnerships between community
organizations, faculty, staff, administrators and students.
Build common cause across campus constituencies to develop a sustainable campus environment.
Seek external support for sustainability programs and activities.
Position SSU as a leader in regional sustainability.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://www2.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/sustainability/Documents/2014-17-Sustainability.pdf
The Draft document highlighting the details and objectives of the above sections can be provided upon request.
The Draft document highlighting the details and objectives of the above sections can be provided upon request.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.