Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 66.84
Liaison Stephanie Del Rosario
Submission Date May 26, 2022

STARS v2.2

California State University, Fullerton
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 4.00 Michael Lotito
Associate Director of Plant Operations
Physical Plant
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives 

Academics

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Strategic Plan 2018-2023
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Goal 1
•Ensure all undergraduate students participate in at least three high-impact curricular or co-curricular experiences.
•Support and implement models that build increased cultural competencies.

Strategies for these Objectives:
Develop and expand inter/multi-disciplinary curricular programs.

Scale and institutionalize culturally responsive curricular/co-curricular High Impact Practices (HIPs).

Enhance global competencies through increased access to and participation in immersive learning experiences, including those focused on internationalization and home and study abroad.

Objectives from the Academic Master Plan
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Goal 1:
Offer a comprehensive, dynamic, and outcome driven curriculum that prepares students for success in academic, personal, and professional lives and for engagement with local and global communities.

Objectives:
Provide a liberal arts curriculum that lays a foundation for a fulfilling life with a broad general education base, interdisciplinary opportunity, and specialized majors that encourage free expression and together require critical thinking, problem solving and analytic skills, effective written and oral communication, quantitative reasoning, information literacy, cultural competency, global awareness, and professional preparation.

From the 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Goals:

University Sustainability
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1. The CSU will seek to further integrate sustainability into the academic curriculum working within the normal campus consultative process.

Engagement 

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The CSU Sustainability policy includes several sustainability objectives that address student, employee, and community engagement for sustainability. Examples of such objectives include:

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.

Each CSU is encouraged to designate a sustainability officer responsible for carrying out and/or coordinating campus sustainability program efforts.

The CSU will cooperate with federal, state, and local governments and other appropriate organizations in accomplishing energy conservation and utilities management objectives throughout the state; and inform students, faculty, staff and the general public of the need for and methods of energy conservation and utilities management.

Each CSU campus will designate an energy/utilities manager with the responsibility and the authority for carrying out energy conservation and utilities management programs. The Chancellor's Office will have the responsibility to coordinate the individual campus programs into a systemwide program.

Campuses and food service organizations shall collaborate to provide information and/or training on sustainable food service operations to staff and patrons

Additionally, the Policy Statement on Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management for the CSU (Executive Order 987) states that the “CSU shall incorporate appropriate training programs for CSU facilities personnel with the aim of promoting and maintaining the goals” outlined for energy conservation and sustainable building practices.

The policy also states that “the CSU will encourage continued energy conservation and lowest utilities operating costs on its campuses by instituting incentive plans designed to recognize and reward meritorious achievements by campus staff, faculty, and students beyond normal expectation.”

Moreover, CSUF’s Office of Sustainability promotes carbon neutrality and the efficient preservation of resources to protect the earth for generations to come. The department is responsible for developing and implementing campus sustainability initiatives to improve facilities operations and utility management. The Center for Sustainability is CSUF’s hub for research, education, and community outreach regarding sustainability. The Center provides support and coordination to student groups, faculty members, and other members of the campus community.

Operations

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
From the 2014 CSU Sustainability Policy Goals

Energy Independence & Procurement
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1. The CSU shall pursue energy procurement and production to reduce energy capacity requirements from fossil fuels, and promote energy independence using available economically feasible technology for on-site and/or renewable generation. The CSU shall endeavor to increase its self-generated energy capacity from 44 to 80 megawatts (MW) by 2020.

2. The CSU will endeavor to exceed the State of California and California Public Utilities Commission Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) sooner than the established goal of procuring 33 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020.

Energy Conservation and Utility Management
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1. All CSU buildings and facilities, regardless of the source of funding for their operation, will be operated in the most energy efficient manner without endangering public health and safety and without diminishing the quality of education and the academic program.

2. All CSU campuses will continue to identify energy efficiency improvement measures to the greatest extent possible, undertake steps to seek funding for their implementation and, upon securing available funds, expeditiously implement the measures.

3. The CSU will cooperate with federal, state, and local governments and other appropriate organizations in accomplishing energy conservation and utilities management objectives throughout the state; and inform students, faculty, staff and the general public of the need for and methods of energy conservation and utilities management.

4. Each CSU campus will designate an energy/utilities manager with the responsibility and the authority for carrying out energy conservation and utilities management programs. The Chancellor’s Office will have the responsibility to coordinate the individual campus programs into a systemwide program.

5. The CSU will monitor monthly energy and utility usage on all campuses and the
Chancellor’s Office, and will prepare a systemwide annual report on energy utilization and greenhouse gas emissions. The Chancellor’s Office will maintain a systemwide energy database in which monthly campus data will be compiled to produce systemwide energy reporting. Campuses will provide the Chancellor’s Office the necessary energy and utility data, such as electricity and natural gas consumption; water and sewer usage; fuel consumed by fleet vehicles, boats, and ships; waste disposal for the systemwide database in a timely manner.

6. Each CSU campus is encouraged to develop and maintain a campuswide integrated strategic energy resource plan, which will include tactical recommendations in the areas of new construction, deferred maintenance, facility renewal, energy projects, water conservation, solid waste management, and an energy management plan. This plan will guide the overall energy program at each campus.

Administration

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Policy on Student Mental Health
The California State University (CSU) Executive Order (EO) 1053 states: “Student mental health services shall be established and maintained to enhance the academic performance of matriculated students and to facilitate their retention in state-supported programs of the university. These services shall include accessible, professional mental health care; counseling, outreach and consultation programs; and educational programs and services."
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9704357/latest/

Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
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

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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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:
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 institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability consists of three elements:

Our natural world, the environment and natural resources - The endowment of renewable and non-renewable resources is critical to sustaining life on the planet.

The community and social structures - Respect for the cultures and social values that exist around the world is a fundamental dimension of sustainability.

Economic systems - These systems produce the goods and services necessary for survival and must be included when considering the full dimension of sustainability and sustainable development.

Sustainable solutions must include all of these dimensions.

Consideration of the future is also a key element of sustainability. The basic idea behind sustainability is that the current generation can meet its needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (Brundtland Report, 1987). There are other considerations depending on the perspective of the person defining the term. For example, economists will include an element that addresses the efficient allocation of scarce resources with inter-generational considerations while an ecologist would frame the discussion in terms of temporal ecosystem functions, biodiversity, or resiliency. Regardless of the discipline, all decisions made around the world today should consider how to implement sustainability in practice.

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) Yes
UN Global Compact No
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
CSU Systemwide Sustainability Policy aims to 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 offering. Sustainability Policy applies to all 23 campuses in the CSU.

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.