University of California, Santa Cruz
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The UCSC Strategic Academic Plan (SAP), developed and published in 2017-18, includes three overarching academic priority areas: Earth Futures, Justice in a Changing World, and Digital Interventions. Earth Futures: Taking a uniquely long view of the Earth and humanity – not just over the next decades, but over hundreds and thousands of years, UC Santa Cruz examines the scientific, philosophical, and practical question of the Earth’s future. Exploring the terrain between the temporally immediate and distant, our faculty pose pressing questions, both ethical and scientific, and propose strategic practices to lead to our desired global outcomes.

The SAP includes Design Principles to support implementation of each academic priority area as follows:
- Drive research and creative work that transform our world
- Create enriching experiential learning and research opportunities for students
- Engage and support a diverse faculty, staff, and student body
- Support generative interdisciplinary connections to research and teaching
- Expand excellence in innovation in areas distinctive to UC Santa Cruz, such as social justice, diversity, & sustainability

Affirmative Action Plan: https://diversity.ucsc.edu/eeo-aa/aa/affirmative_action_plans.html

Long Range Development Plan: https://lrdp.ucsc.edu/FinalDraft2005lrdp/2005LRDP(Context,9-7-06draft).pdf

Campus Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor, Campus Plan: https://cpevc.ucsc.edu/envision-ucsc/

Campus Sustainability Plan - Learning and Culture:

GOAL 4: Develop new and expand existing curricular educational experiences around inclusive sustainability.

STRATEGY 4.1:
Measure and assess the degree to which sustainability and climate change are included in the curriculum.

ACTION 4.1.A:
Conduct and promote an annual audit of UC Santa Cruz courses to identify those that include sustainability and climate change.

STRATEGY 4.3:
Facilitate innovative and interdisciplinary curricula and pedagogy around inclusive sustainability.

ACTION 4.3.B:
Highlight and support faculty research, teaching, and scholarly work related to sustainability that is being undertaken across divisions.

STRATEGY 4.4:
Ensure that all undergraduates acquire basic literacy in inclusive sustainability.

ACTION 4.4.A & 4.2.B:
Conduct a campuswide survey addressing the understood meanings of inclusive sustainability.

ACTION 4.4.B & 3.1.A:
Create a plan for student engagement, particularly focusing on incoming first-year, new transfer and international students.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Learning and Culture:

STRATEGY 4.2:
Undertake integrated research that examines the evolving meanings and experiences of sustainability.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Climate & Energy:

GOAL 5: Pursue the Carbon Neutrality Initiative through the university's core academic mission of research, teaching, and public service.

STRATEGY 5.1:
Support professional development of the student body to enter careers in the energy and climate industry.

STRATEGY 5.2:
Develop the campus as a living laboratory to support student experiential learning, innovation and startups, grant projects, and community engagement.

ACTION 5.2.A:
Form a faculty working group with campus stakeholders to develop actions to support strategies in the CSP related to experiential learning, courses, and internships needed to prepare students entering professional careers; campus as a living laboratory facilities to support experiential learning; interdisciplinary grant proposals; and community and carbon offset projects.

STRATEGY 5.3:
Identify strategy for developing competitive proposals for federal and state grants, such as the California Energy Commission, to fund climate and energy initiatives, projects, and programs.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Natural Environment & Infrastructure

STRATEGY 5.3:
Increase formal and informal engagement opportunities with stewardship topics and nature-based learning by utilizing campus natural lands.

ACTION 5.3.A:
Inventory current offerings of formal and informal engagement opportunities and establish a baseline by which future progress can be measured.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Climate & Energy

ACTION 4.1.B:
Research and implement best practices around behavior change interventions from other universities and campuses to promote campuswide engagement in carbon neutrality and energy conservation.

STRATEGY 5.2:
Develop the campus as a living laboratory to support student experiential learning, innovation and startups, grant projects, and community engagement.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Learning and Culture:

ACTION 2.1.B & 1.4.D:
Provide staff and faculty education on sustainability and inclusion through the Sustainability Certificate Program.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Learning and Culture:

GOAL 2: Support inclusive sustainability in the local and broader community so that community members may thrive.

STRATEGY 2.1:
Convene a sustained dialogue with students, staff, faculty, and community members to share information, knowledge and resources about community health.

STRATEGY 2.2:
Leverage the intellectual capabilities of the campus to solve sustainability problems using interdisciplinary, integrated approaches and identify opportunities to help members of the local community thrive.

ACTION 2.2.B & 2.3.B: Recruit leaders from campus, the UC system, and regional and global leaders in nongovernmental organizations as instructors in the Sustainability Certificate Program.

STRATEGY 2.3:
Strengthen partnerships with local and regional communities and organizations that are already leading the charge in sustainability and social justice.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Climate & Energy

GOAL 1: Support the UC Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy goal of achieving carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2025.

STRATEGY 1.1:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources of combustion, campus-owned vehicles and purchased electricity through energy efficiency and conservation, onsite renewables, and other actions and technologies.

ACTION 1.1.B:
Develop a phased plan to install up to 4MW of solar PV on the main campus, 2300 Delaware and Coastal Science Campus.

ACTION 1.1.C:
Monitor progress on Sustainable Fleet Implementation Plan to procure zero emission vehicles or hybrid vehicles for at least 50 percent of all new light-duty vehicle acquisitions.

STRATEGY 1.2:
Identify and address gaps in information, training, technologies, and funding to support carbon neutrality goal.

ACTION 1.2.A:
Create a working group to explore internal carbon accounting model to incentivize low-carbon design for new capital projects and energy efficiency within existing operations, distinguishing between state-funded and auxiliary units.

STRATEGY 1.3:
Develop a strategy to achieve UC Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy interim goal of reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Climate & Energy

GOAL 2: Achieve net zero emissions for all new capital projects.

STRATEGY 2.1:
For all major capital projects, achieve at least the UC Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy “stretch” energy use intensity (EUI) targets and strive for 50 percent better than baseline design.

ACTION 2.1.A:
Refine and adopt UC Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy “stretch” energy use intensity (EUI) targets.

STRATEGY 2.2:
Develop and implement a net zero energy policy for capital projects that provides different avenues to mitigate emissions and incorporates net zero ready building requirements.

ACTION 2.2.B:
Reassess priority actions needed in order for the campus to consider net zero in capital projects.

STRATEGY 2.3:
Continue to achieve LEED Silver and strive for LEED Gold (V4) for new buildings and, for labs, meet at least the prerequisites of the Laboratories for the 21st Century (Labs21).

ACTION 2.3.A:
Within the preliminary design phase of capital projects over $750,000, improve the process for capturing life-cycle building costs, including capital and operating costs, and evaluate design alternatives that support greater energy efficiency.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Climate & Energy

GOAL 3: Improve the energy efficiency of campus buildings by 10 percent below a 2010-2012 baseline (in kbtu/sf).

STRATEGY 3.1:
Implement the 90+ energy efficiency and renewable energy projects identified in the UC Santa Cruz Climate & Energy Strategy report recommendations.

ACTION 3.1.A:
Establish a team of staff dedicated to implementation of energy efficiency projects, which will be paid for through annual energy savings.

STRATEGY 3.2:
Reduce energy use from plug loads through procurement policies and behavior change.

ACTION 3.2.B:
Implement the UC systemwide “Cool Campus Challenge” to engage faculty, staff and students in energy-saving behavior change measures in spring 2019.

STRATEGY 3.3:
Reduce excessive energy use through improvements to space management practices, response time to equipment and operational issues, and building operations scheduling.

ACTION 3.3.A:
Implement a Smart Building Scheduling Program for buildings during holidays, breaks, and closure periods.

GOAL 4: Reduce energy use by 10 percent, over a 2010 baseline, through energy conservation programs and practices (in kbtu/sf).

STRATEGY 4.1:
Develop Carbon Neutrality and energy use reduction education and training materials.

ACTION 4.1.A:
Develop and implement an energy conservation policy for new campus residents and distribute with move-in information into Colleges, Housing and Educational Services (CHES) new student outreach.

ACTION 4.1.B:
Research and implement best practices around behavior change interventions from other universities and campuses to promote campuswide engagement in carbon neutrality and energy conservation.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Materials Management & Food Systems

GOAL 1: Increase both Environmentally Preferred Product purchases and Real Food purchases by five percent until 2022.

STRATEGY 1.2:
Identify current food purchases that can be replaced with Real Food purchases.

ACTION 1.2.A:
Implement the Real Food Challenge qualifying products as previously identified by Real Food Challenge Interns and UC Santa Cruz Dining.

GOAL 3: Improve food security and access for the campus community, and reduce student food insecurity by 50 percent.

STRATEGY 3.1:
Develop educational programs and opportunities that support food security efforts.

ACTION 3.1.B:
Invest in and promote early intervention measures, as opposed to solely crisis support, to systematically address student food security.

STRATEGY 3.2:
Improve institutional structures, food preparation, and food production opportunities to support food security of the campus community.

ACTION 3.2.B:
Centralize and standardize food security & access efforts through the creation and staffing of the Cowell Coffee Shop: Basic Needs Food Hub.

STRATEGY 3.3:
Align regional community food security partners and resources to benefit the campus community.

ACTION 3.3.B:
In collaboration with Santa Cruz County, work to reform the CalFresh eligibility guidelines for graduate students and roll-out a CalFresh renewal app and streamlined process.

ACTION 3.3.C:
As an interim measure, utilize funding from SB85 to provide farmers’ market tokens to benefit graduate students, while negotiation on eligibility guidelines reform progresses.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Natural Environment & Infrastructure

GOAL 1: Conduct an assessment to address intersectional campus infrastructure needs that include and support sustainable transportation systems, reduce water consumption, manage stormwater, and steward campus natural and cultivated lands.

STRATEGY 1.1:
Develop a framework to define, identify and prioritize built and natural infrastructure improvement projects.

ACTION 1.1A:
Establish a working group to address intersectional campus infrastructure gaps and needs.

STRATEGY 1.2:
Measure effects of human activity on campus lands, watersheds, and infrastructure.

ACTION 1.2.A & 5.1.A:
Conduct an analysis to establish a baseline to quantify human impact on campus natural and cultivated lands.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Materials Management & Food Systems

GOAL 1: Increase both Environmentally Preferred Product purchases and Real Food purchases by five percent until 2022.

STRATEGY 1.1:
Engage suppliers to develop strategies that promote sustainable and equitable procurement practices within the supply chain, and measure those suppliers to agreed standards.

STRATEGY 1.4:
Standardize effective sustainable and equitable procurement education and training, particularly for incoming students and new staff and faculty.

ACTION 1.4.A:
Contribute educational materials regarding sustainable and equitable procurement to New Employee Orientation and the new student experience and Welcome Week.

STRATEGY 1.5/2.5:
Advance the single-use bottled water ban.

ACTION 1.5.A/2.5.A:
Address barriers that event hosts face in switching from single use bottled water to more sustainable options.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Natural Environment & Infrastructure

GOAL 3: Reduce commute travel mode impacts relative to a 2017 baseline by: reducing Scope 3 commuter greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent by 2022; reducing commute vehicle miles travelled (VMT) five percent by 2022; and reducing per capita parking demand 10 percent by 2022.

STRATEGY 3.1:
Increase transit ridership to/from campus by 10 percent.

ACTION 3.1.A:
Collaborate with Santa Cruz Metro Transit District (SCMTD) to increase capacity and frequency of service on UC Santa Cruz routes, including incorporation of articulated buses and new routes to UC Santa Cruz satellite locations.

STRATEGY 3.2:
Develop an outreach strategy to promote sustainable transportation culture and prioritize human-powered on-campus travel at UC Santa Cruz.

STRATEGY 3.3:
Explore creative funding options for sustainable transportation programs that reduce vehicle trips and address social justice implications of the current fee structure being heavily supported by student fees.

ACTION 3.3.A:
Study the viability of centrally funded sustainable transportation access or Transportation Demand Management (TDM) fee.

STRATEGY 3.4:
Increase electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and programs to achieve a 4.5 percent mix of zero-emission vehicles for personal commute by 2025.

ACTION 3.4.A:
Develop a comprehensive plan for inclusion of EV charging station that integrates with current and planned parking development.

ACTION 3.4.B:
Partner with other UCs, electric vehicle dealers and charger equipment companies, utility companies, and pursue grants to increase incentives for UC affiliates to purchase or lease electric vehicles, for electric vehicle charging equipment and other infrastructure.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Materials Management & Food Systems

GOAL 2: Achieve and maintain the UC Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy goal of Zero Waste.

STRATEGY 2.1:
Improve operational infrastructure and business processes to increase waste diversion.

ACTION 2.1.A:
Complete a compost/recycling collection and infrastructure rollout study that considers options for streamlining the waste stream across all collection areas.

STRATEGY 2.2:
Complete the Resource Recovery Yard, including on-site composting program rollout.

STRATEGY 2.3:
Increase the percentage of equipment and items sold or repurposed from Surplus, rather than discarded.

STRATEGY 2.4:
Develop effective waste reduction and Zero Waste education and training for students, staff and faculty.

ACTION 2.4.B:
Utilize the recommendations contained in the 2018 Zero Waste best practices analysis to inform the format and content of Zero Waste education & training at UC Santa Cruz.

STRATEGY 1.5 / 2.5:
Advance the single-use bottled water ban.

ACTION 1.5.A / 2.5.A:
Address identified barriers that student event hosts face in switching from single use bottled water to more sustainable options.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Natural Environment & Infrastructure

GOAL 1: Conduct an assessment to address intersectional campus infrastructure needs that include and support sustainable transportation systems, reduce water consumption, manage stormwater, and steward campus natural and cultivated lands.

STRATEGY 1.2:
Measure effects of human activity on campus lands, watersheds, and infrastructure.

ACTION 1.2.A & 5.1.A:
Conduct an analysis to establish a baseline to quantify human impact on campus natural and cultivated lands.

GOAL 2: Meet the UC Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy goal to reduce potable water usage by 36 percent by weighted campus user by 2025 from a 2005-08 baseline.

STRATEGY 2.1:
Increase the use of non-potable water on campus.

ACTION 2.1.C:
Explore feasibility of all potential non-potable water sources for the campus as part of the Long Range Development Planning process.

STRATEGY 2.2:
Reduce potable water use through technological innovations and physical improvements.

ACTION 2.2.A:
Compile and update a centralized list of proposed water infrastructure and fixture improvements along with their relative cost and water saving potential.

STRATEGY 2.3:
Improve communication about water management, use, and conservation to the campus and local community.

ACTION 2.3.A:
Increase the adoption and utilization of the Beacon leak detection software among building managers through trainings and one-on-one consultations.

STRATEGY 2.4:
Identify new sources of funding for both potable water reduction and non-potable sourced development projects.

ACTION 2.4.A:
Develop a life-cycle cost based funding model to account for potable water rate increases.

Campus Sustainability Plan - Learning and Culture:

GOAL 1: Create and sustain a campus climate and culture that values inclusive sustainability.

STRATEGY 1.1:
Continually measure and assess the degree to which students from various backgrounds feel included in sustainability.

ACTION 1.1.A:
Biannually distribute a campuswide inclusive sustainability survey to assess student experience.

STRATEGY 1.2:
Promote the principle that sustainability cannot exist without social justice.

ACTION 1.3.A:
Increase the number of applications from underserved, under resourced campus groups in sustainability grant opportunities.

STRATEGY 1.4:
Encourage participation of staff and faculty in inclusive sustainability educational opportunities.

ACTION 1.4.B:
Develop educational materials and presentations on inclusive sustainability for New Employee Orientation.

ACTION 1.4.D & 2.1.B:
Provide staff and faculty education on sustainability and inclusion through the Sustainability Certificate Program.

GOAL 3: Support student leadership efforts that strengthen a culture of inclusive sustainability.

STRATEGY 3.1:
Incorporate inclusive sustainability into the new student and Welcome Week experience.

ACTION 3.1.A:
Establish a working group to create a plan for student education and engagement, particularly focusing on incoming first-year, new transfer, and international students.

STRATEGY 3.2:
Increase access to internship opportunities that allow students to demonstrate leadership in inclusive sustainability.

STRATEGY 3.3:
Support student leadership in inclusive sustainability by training staff and faculty on effective mentorship approaches.

STRATEGY 3.4:
Develop institutional structures that support student leadership in inclusive sustainability-related decision making.

Campus Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor, Campus Plan:

Staff Engagement:
Goal: Make UC Santa Cruz a place where people enjoy working.

If our institution is to advance, we must support the development and job satisfaction of our workforce. To accomplish this, we will create an environment that reciprocates our staff’s irrepressible passion for our campus, our programs, and all of our community; a place where we can readily recognize the quality and work of all our employees. More than ever, we need Slug spirit to flourish in our work, so we will actively encourage awareness, expect civility, and foster diversity. We will engage our staff to create processes and craft procedures that sustain both our environment and our human capital. We will enhance career paths that support both the development of current staff and recruitment of future talent pools of dedicated public service employees.

Actions:

Expand campus-wide and divisional programs that recognize and appreciate staff contributions.

Improve staff retention by:
Developing programs for connecting new staff to the institution, the community and the natural environment in which the campus sits; Enhancing staff training and development; Exploring rotation systems to enrich staff experience and perspective.

Increase employee input into decision-making and sharing of ideas and best practices across division/unit lines.

Surface issues before they become critical by: Reinstituting the Campus Welfare Committee; Investing in training for managers and supervisors; Creating a playbook of good management and supervision practices; Promoting a culture of respect for colleagues.

1) Advancement of Innovation & Technology

Campus Sustainability Plan - Learning and Culture:

STRATEGY 5.2:
Develop the campus as a living laboratory to support student experiential learning, innovation and startups, grant projects, and community engagement.

2) Advancement of Culture

Campus Sustainability Plan - Learning and Culture:

GOAL 1: Create and sustain a campus climate and culture that values inclusive sustainability.

ACTION 1.2.A:
Highlight and support People of Color Sustainability Collective’s efforts to convene campuswide conversations that include and reflect diverse lived experiences.

STRATEGY 1.3:
Make existing sustainability programs more inclusive and culturally resonant.

3) Advancement of Art
**Email out to EARTH Lab

CAMPUS MISSION: UC Santa Cruz is a leading research university with a tradition of innovation in the education of students—built on values of social and environmental responsibility.