June 24, 2020 鈥� An organization that recognizes excellence in sustainability practices has given (海角社区CI) one of its highest ratings.
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) commended 海角社区CI for earning a gold rating in AASHE鈥檚 Sustainability Tracking, Assessment &聽Rating聽System (STARS).
鈥淪TARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,鈥� said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. 鈥満＝巧缜鳦I has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS gold rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.鈥�
A gold rating is the second-highest in the five-level STARS rating system, which, from lowest to highest is: reporter, bronze, silver, gold and platinum. 海角社区CI is one of only three 海角社区s with a gold rating, and 海角社区CI is the first to be recognized as gold by the newer, more stringent standards.
AASHE鈥檚 STARS program has more than 900 participants in 40 countries and is open to any institution of higher learning in the world. In order to achieve a rating, participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 just look at our environmental impacts or how much water or energy we鈥檙e using, but it looks at our social spaces, our curriculum, diversity and employee compensation鈥攖he percentage of employees earning a living wage,鈥� said 海角社区CI Sustainability and Energy Manager Roxane Beigel-Coryell
Among the University鈥檚 accomplishments is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 66% when compared with the 2008-2009 baseline. The University accomplished this through efficiency and conservation strategies such as lighting retrofits, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and equipment upgrades.
鈥淲hile the University does have plans for a large solar photovoltaic project in the coming years that will supply approximately 67% of the University's electricity needs, the greenhouse gas reductions to date have been achieved solely through energy management, efficiency measures and engagement initiatives,鈥� the report said.
海角社区CI鈥檚 water usage has been reduced 24% per person and 26% in terms of the non-potable water used for irrigation, thanks to native and drought-tolerant planting around campus. Campus personnel also manages 海角社区 Channel Islands鈥� University Park, a 367-acre park, in a natural and wild state that protects the open space and grounds for recreation. All campus gardens are managed organically.
鈥淲e鈥檝e drastically reduced our use of any pesticides or herbicides on campus,鈥� Beigel-Coryell said. 鈥淭hat means our first priority is mechanical management such as pulling weeds and encouraging certain insects that keep pests in check.鈥�
Campus support for groups of students not well represented in higher education is also a point of distinction with a variety of financial resources, peer mentorship and organizations such as the Multicultural Dream Center, the African American Outreach and Transitions Academy, and the Center for Multicultural Engagement.
The University also offers training for faculty and staff to become undocumented student allies, so they can better understand the challenges of and provide support for undocumented students.
海角社区CI is a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and in 2019 received the Seal of Excelencia, a prestigious certification granted by the Washington, D.C.-based organization, Excelencia in Education. The Seal recognizes an institution鈥檚 very high level of commitment and effort to serve Latinx students successfully.
Another campus strength is its role as a living laboratory, in which 33% of faculty members are conducting research into sustainability practices, representing 70% of 海角社区CI鈥檚 disciplines.
Student and faculty research at 海角社区CI includes air quality, grounds management, microplastic pollution, agriculture, indigenous culture and more.
海角社区CI is continuously seeking new ways to improve its sustainability and scored high marks in a number of areas.
Beigel-Coryell believes participating in the STARS program is important for the University as it is 海角社区CI鈥檚 responsibility to care for the land and the people who come here to teach and learn.
鈥淲e have a responsibility as an institution to have as little impact as we possibly can and to be good stewards of our resources,鈥� Beigel-Coryell said. 鈥淥ur utilization of water, our waste generation, our people and how we treat them. We must have programs to support equity for everyone, educating students for the future, and making sure we are investing in our mission. We have a really important role to be leaders in researching ways to combat climate change and to ensure a bright future for all of us.鈥�