The Student Lab Coat Checkout Program was honored last weekend in Austin, Texas at the annual conference of the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA). The program received three CSHEMA Innovation Awards.

Launched last spring, the lab coat program is a collaboration among SHS, the University Library and the chemistry and biochemistry department. Currently enrolled CSUSM students can borrow coats from the library for free for up to 16 weeks, with the items available on a first-come, first-served basis. The program served 241 students last semester.

Marissa Acosta, Vanessa Rivera and Victor Franco Bolanos from SHS worked with three employees in the library’s User Services department – Alysa Hernandez, Kelly Ann Sam and Leslie Hovland – to make the partnership a success.

Acosta said the program was created to address a barrier to equitable laboratory safety: access to proper personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically lab coats.

“Before the program, some students faced financial challenges when purchasing a lab coat,” said Acosta, who received the awards in person on June 19. “This inequity directly affected student readiness for laboratory participation and created preventable obstacles to maintaining a consistent and accessible culture of safety.”

Based in Wisconsin, CSHEMA is the pre-eminent leadership organization representing the environmental health and safety (EHS) profession in campus environments.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The program, which will be among the only ones of its kind in San Diego County, is on track to start in spring 2027. It reflects CSUSM’s growing focus on sustainability and the continued demand for double-digit job growth requiring sustainability expertise. 

The specialization in strategic sustainability will prepare students to lead in an era when business success increasingly depends on environmental, social and governance responsibility. This concentration will integrate core business disciplines with sustainability expertise, equipping graduates to align organizational performance with societal well-being and environmental stewardship.

A 2024 feasibility study conducted by MBA students at CSUSM revealed strong regional demand for sustainability-focused business education. Research and employer interviews confirmed that industries from tech to life sciences are actively seeking sustainability-trained leaders.

The SMBA program offers an accelerated MBA designed for recent graduates of all majors. Besides strategic sustainability, the other three specializations are business analytics, international business and supply chain management.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The project grew out of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) 304: Ecofeminism, taught by lecturer Kit-Bacon Gressitt. Gressitt incorporated the lesson plan assignment with support from the university’s new Climate Action Sustainability Center, an offer she said she “pounced on.”

“Two students jumped on board, Rickie Haynes and Soleia Lafaye, and they dug into the project – much deeper, ultimately, than they originally expected. It was a lot of work,” Gressitt said.

Students in the class Education 350: Foundations of Teaching as a Profession were looped into the project through Paula Hewitt, a Distinguished Teacher in Residence at CSUSM. One of Hewitt’s students, Megan Hedges, joined Haynes and Lafaye in the project.

The class partnered with Vallecitos Elementary, which Gressitt said was an easy choice given her connection to the school over the past 12 years.

“It’s a wonderful, Title 1 school in a rural setting, serving preschool through eighth grade,” Gressitt said. “The school’s sense of community and collaboration is strong, and Superintendent Meliton Sanchez and sixth-grade teacher Jessica Mentze welcomed our students and their project enthusiastically.”

Title 1 schools receive federal funding to support students from low-income communities.

The lesson introduced sixth-graders to the climate impacts of global food supply chains and offered an adaptive action: growing your own food to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The CSUSM students guided the class in planting lettuce seeds to take home and helped them map the origins of their favorite foods.

“Watching the sixth-graders ask and answer questions while planting lettuce to take home to their families was a joy,” Gressitt said. “They quickly grasped the differences between having a family garden and the climate pollution that results from shipping produce around the globe.

“The most revealing evaluation of the students’ work is that the Vallecitos folks were pleased with the lesson and invited CSUSM back next semester.”
 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The tree, which was planted around the time of CSUSM’s founding in 1989 and weighs 27 tons, was moved in early September from a plot outside the Arts Building to the area between Kellogg Library and Campus View Drive, near the main circle.

“It’s not every day that you move a tree that size,” said Michelle Alves, a campus planner in Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) who helped supervise the project.

The fate of the tree was thrown into question over the summer when Facilities Development and Management (FDM) began the construction of a new glass elevator on the perimeter of the Arts Building. Because the tree sat right next to the construction zone, the determination was that it would need to be uprooted to give it the best chance of survival.

“That kind of oak tree, you could never buy one. It’s irreplaceable,” Alves said.

The relocation occurred on Sept. 6 – a Saturday, to take advantage of minimal car and foot traffic on campus. Alves arrived at 5 a.m., planning to be on site for six hours; it turned out to be more than nine. In all, the project involved about 20 workers, including several from FDM and several more from an Escondido company called Big Trees Nursery.

After landscapers boxed and harnessed the tree, a crane lifted it out of the ground and laid it on its side on a flatbed truck (a smaller truck after the first one proved too big to navigate the service road, causing an hour delay). On the drive northeast out of campus, the oak’s branches were so wide that they were brushing the overhang of the Arts Building and the trees outside Science Hall 2.

“It looked like it was high-fiving other trees all the way down, like it was saying, ‘See you later,’ ” Alves joked.

At a very deliberate, almost walking pace, the truck descended the service road to La Moree Road, re-entered campus near the Sprinter station and drove southwest on Campus View Drive to the tree’s new resting spot behind the library. Along the way, the precious cargo had a front and back escort from University Police Department vehicles.

Now situated on the ground next to the main circle, the crane lifted the tree from the truck and deposited it in a pre-dug hole. Workers attached three braces to the trunk to provide support in case of wind or rain. The tree, which is about 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide, will be given vitamins and extra water in the coming weeks.

“We’re setting it up for success and a long, happy life,” said Alves, adding that oak trees can live up to 300 years, making this one a relative baby.

Alves said the project reflects CSUSM’s dedication to sustainability and its achievement last year of Level 1 arboretum accreditation and Tree Campus USA recognition. She also spotlighted the efforts of the university’s landscaping team, namely Raul Vaca and Ricardo Jacobo, with after-care by Isidro (Sid) Alvarez.

“It was a team effort, and it took a team to pull it off,” she said. “Often, FDM is behind the scenes, like we’re the engine running the campus. But I want people to know that we do some really cool stuff.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

CASC plans to work with faculty and staff to prepare students with practical solution-oriented approaches to climate crises and provide hands-on learning experiences within sustainability. One example is a student podcast being produced called “Climate to Action.”

Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, director of sustainability and climate justice and the administrative director of the CASC, is excited for the possibilities the center will provide for the campus community as is Dr. Kim Knowles-Yánez, professor in the Liberal Studies Department and faculty director of CASC. 

“The CASC is an opportunity to build upon the tremendous work that faculty, students and staff have already invested in climate, sustainability and justice over many years, and to build stronger relationships with our wider community,” Goodlaw-Morris said. “This center is also a perfect example of how we, as an institution, are putting into action the core value of sustainability and climate justice, which is a part of our CSUSM strategic plan.” 

Said Knowles-Yánez: “I welcome this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of establishing a new center charged with taking action and problem-solving for climate change. Please look forward to hearing more about our work on climate change curriculum and research, as well as the on- and off-campus collaborations we will facilitate to help our region meet the needs of climate change and climate justice mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.”

The center will engage campus community members and external stakeholders on climate change, climate justice and sustainability initiatives for the region. 

The mission of the CASC is to provide ”interconnectedness among societies, all living beings and ecosystems by ensuring socially just, ecologically sound, and resilient communities that value diversity, innovation, fiscal stewardship, health and well-being for all by creating a positive local to global impact for current and future generations."  The genesis of the center is the Climate Change Faculty Working Group, which faculty founded in 2020, and for which Knowles-Yánez was chair of the steering committee.

“The Climate Action and Sustainability Center provides recognition and structure for efforts that have been occurring across all disciplines and units,” said Dr. Charles De Leone, dean of Graduate Studies and Research, who is responsible for oversight of all centers and institutes on campus, had this to say about the new center. "And the new center could not be in better hands with Kim Knowles-Yánez and Juliana Goodlaw-Morris as its inaugural leaders."  

CASC will also serve as a resource for faculty seeking to develop research. The center is hoping to collaborate on fundraising opportunities to expand activities and sustainability efforts.

Biology professor Dr. Darcy Taniguchi drafted the proposal for the center and geography professor Dr. Elizabeth Ridder shepherded the proposal through the campus approval process.  

Taniguchi is hopeful the CASC will raise awareness toward climate issues.

“The CASC is an important establishment that will focus on some of the most pressing issues of our time,” Taniguchi said. “Its proposed efforts in the areas of climate change, climate justice and sustainability are important and timely for our campus community and beyond.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The self-assessment system, which includes more than 900 participants in 40 countries, measures and encourages stability in aspects of higher education. Participants are rated in the areas of academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

“STARS is the most comprehensive benchmarking and rating tool for sustainability in higher education institutions,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM’s director of sustainability and climate justice. “Thus, this report validates and showcases areas within sustainability we are doing really well and opportunities for growth.

"It truly is a campus-wide effort since our reporting covers academics, engagement, leadership, innovation and operations. As we continue to move the needle on sustainability at CSUSM, we will be rolling out a ‘pathway to platinum’ that will showcase our opportunities to further integrate sustainability into the fabric of our campus.”

The STARS program is designed to build a stronger, more diverse campus sustainability community, facilitate information sharing about higher education sustainability practices and performance, and provide incentives for continual improvement for sustainability. 

AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Its mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitment is a comprehensive roadmap for mitigating and adapting to a changing climate, one that sets high goals of sustainability for the university.  Over the next few years, CSUSM will develop, implement, evaluate and adapt its climate action plan as a commitment to carbon neutrality and resilience. 

“The act of planting a tree and pledging our commitment may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but its impact is immeasurable,” Neufeldt said. "Our journey toward sustainability – which has been part of CSUSM’s story since its founding – is more than just a promise; it's a dedication to our students, our community and the global community we're a part of. It's a recognition that in today's intricate and interconnected world, our students must graduate not only as scholars, but as individuals with a deep awareness of how climate change and sustainability influence every facet of their lives and careers.”

Second Nature provides resources and opportunities to network with a coalition of colleges that are leading in climate action and sustainable solutions.  

“CSUSM is joining over 650 other higher education colleges and universities in not only a commitment to carbon neutrality but the resilience of our community,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, the university’s sustainability manager and a lecturer of environmental studies.  

California State University has established systemwide efforts toward sustainability and climate action, and 19 of the 23 CSU campuses have signed a Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment.  

CSUSM’s strategic plan, “The Power of CSUSM,” includes sustainability and climate justice among the university’s values. As a part of CSUSM’s sustainability master plan, students and employees already have been tackling climate resilience due to concerns from wildfires, droughts and other impacts of a warming world on our community. This new commitment is part of an effort to elevate and showcase the work that CSUSM is doing to ensure student success through the lens of sustainability and climate justice.  

Higher education institutions whose president or chancellor have made a formal commitment with respect to climate leadership on their campus become Climate Leadership Network signatories. 

“I have long hoped for our campus to be one of the many signatories of this climate commitment, and I am so proud that President Neufeldt has recognized the significance and importance of committing our campus to carbon neutrality,” Goodlaw-Morris said. 

Second Nature is committed to accelerating climate action in, and through, higher education. This is accomplished by mobilizing a diverse array of higher education institutions to act on bold climate commitments, to scale campus climate initiatives and to create innovative climate solutions. Second Nature aims to align, amplify and bridge the sector’s efforts with other global leaders to advance urgent climate priorities.

The Faculty Learning Community in Teaching Climate Change and Resilience initiative that received the award was selected “for its outstanding results and potential to influence and serve as a model for other institutions and systems.”

Award recipients will be recognized during AASCU’s annual conference from Nov. 4-7 in Chicago.

AASCU, which stands for American Association of State Colleges and Universities, shapes public policy and strengthens state college and university leaders as they expand student access and success.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The fifth annual California Clean Air Day took place on Wednesday, but CSUSM recognized it on Thursday. Leon Wyden, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, joined other university leaders in CSUSM’s first public tree-planting, near University Village Apartments.

“Trees are important. We have a symbiotic relationship with them, since they breathe out oxygen and breathe in carbon dioxide,” Wyden said after the ceremony. “We are very happy to do our part to improve the air around us for the benefit of our campus community.”

Also on Thursday, CSUSM held a pledge event in which students, staff and faculty took the California Clean Air Day pledge, signifying a commitment that small actions can make a difference. More than 200 pledges were made during U-hour.   

Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM’s sustainability manager, said the university is in the process of being recognized as a Level 1 arboretum. In the coming months, the Facility Services and Planning, Design and Construction departments will create a designated walking trail that will highlight the trees and campus with signage and information.

CSUSM also can now track its air quality, thanks to a grant awarded to environmental studies professor Gabriel Valle. Six real-time air monitoring devices have been installed around campus; to find out the current air quality on campus, go to the PurpleAir website.

Goodlaw-Morris highlighted a goal to increase the percentage of people who use alternative modes of transportation to get to and from campus. Currently, about 15% of the campus community bikes, walks, carpools or is dropped off.

“California Clean Air Day demonstrates that everyone can play a role in improving our air quality,” Goodlaw-Morris said. “Everyday actions, such as walking or biking to campus or making online purchases ship in one box instead of multiple shipments, make a difference.”

California Clean Air Day was started in 2018 by the Coalition for Clean Air to improve air quality in a state with some of the worst air pollution in the United States. According to the American Lung Association, 17 of the 25 most polluted counties nationally are in California, and one million annual school absences by California students are related to air pollution.

This year, 561 organizations participated in California Clean Air Day, including many other CSU campuses.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Reyes has multiple family members who worked in Imperial Valley’s agricultural fields, including a grandfather who developed cancer from exposure to pesticides.

But it wasn’t until Reyes enrolled at Cal State San Marcos in 2017 that she really began focusing on environmental justice.

“I didn't realize that there were so many environmental injustices happening in the Imperial Valley until I learned about it when I got to Cal State San Marcos,” said Reyes, who will graduate next month with a bachelor’s in environmental studies. “I feel like that really promoted my passion for environmental justice, because it hit home personally.”

Reyes has been working hard throughout the pandemic to pursue this passion, both as an environmental justice intern through a partnership between the Office of Inclusive Excellence and the Sustainability Department and her role as co-president of the Environmental Stewards Association.

As part of her internship, Reyes was a presenter for the This Way to Sustainability (TWTS) Conference, which was hosted by Chico State in March. Reyes’ presentation was titled “Social Justice Through Sustainability: Acknowledging students of environmentally discriminated areas through sustainable efforts on campus.” The project analyzed how some CSUSM students come from places impacted by environmental injustices such as poor air or water quality and how the university can uplift the voices of those students.

“The environmental justice internship, which is only 2 years old now, has spurred lots of really cool research projects,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM’s sustainability manager, who coordinates the program with Ariel Stevenson, assistant director of programs and initiatives for the Office of Inclusive Excellence. “But the project that Melissa worked on, connecting environmental injustices and COVID-19 data with our students, is a very timely and important project. As we seek to better serve our students and ensure they are successful toward graduation, it is opportunities such as this that continue to motivate us to further develop the environmental justice internship program and the inclusive sustainability efforts at CSUSM.”

Reyes also played a vital role in an Earth Month event held on April 6 called “BIPOC and Green: Centering CS‘U’SM in the Environmental Justice Movement,” which focused on intersectionality in the environmental justice movement.

Helping to create meaningful events through the internship has been one of the highlights of Reyes’ time at CSUSM.

“I'm able to bring awareness to an issue that I strongly believe in, and I'm doing it with the help of these two amazing women,” said Reyes, referring to Goodlaw-Morris and Stevenson.

Reyes also credits professor Gabriel Valle and lecturer Christina Simokat from the environmental studies department for their support in her education. Simokat encouraged Reyes to join student organizations, which eventually led to the creation of the Environmental Stewards Association. With multiple environmental studies student organizations on campus, it was difficult for students who are interested in the environment to attend numerous meetings and events related to each group. That led Reyes and a group of friends to create one umbrella organization that is open to all students.

“Melissa is a driven student,” Stevenson said. “As an active member of the Environmental Stewards Association and an environmental justice intern, she continually connects her studies, her passion and her lived experiences to this work.

“In the last year, I watched her navigate the pandemic, lead presentations and present at a conference – all virtually. She is an example of the very best things we love about our students – resiliency, growth and dedication.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Elinne Becket, assistant professor, biology

Daun Everforest, pre-health faculty advisor, biology

Becket (pictured top) and Everforest were both nominated for their commitment to ensuring the well-being of their students during these challenging times while also working diligently to find new ways to help students continue to learn with less stress.

“They are two of the faculty who have had the most sleepless nights over how to reach their students since the pandemic began,” the nominator wrote. “They replaced high-stakes exams with guided worksheets, testing them out, revising, then trying them again and finding that they are working.”

The nominator praised Becket and Everforest for their collegiality and humble perspectives. It was noted that students said learning from Becket and Everforest was much deeper than what typically comes from studying for exams. Students said it was clear that Becket and Everforest have a deep devotion not only to learning but also about the students on a personal level.

Regina Frasca, director, Safety, Health and Sustainability

Frasca was nominated for leading efforts to help the university adapt to the pandemic environment while keeping campus community members as safe as possible. One nominator made special note of Frasca’s work to help the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

“Regina listens to our needs and does her best to minimize disruption to campus operations while meeting all regulations and working safely,” the nominator wrote. “She works to understand the goals of any requests. If we cannot do what was requested, she ensures we can figure out a way to actually reach the goals in another way. She is a true partner in educating our students as well as keeping them safe.”

 Another nominator highlighted Frasca’s work with the biology department.

“She has also worked closely with us to identify safe strategies that have allowed us to teach some critical in-person laboratory courses, providing students with the hands-on experience that simply cannot be achieved virtually and/or via simulations,” the nominator wrote.

Debbie Blair, library services specialist

Sonia Jimenez, library services specialist

Natalya Serge Magazino, library services specialist

Blair, Jimenez (pictured bottom) and Magazino (pictured top) were nominated for their contributions to the resource sharing and interlibrary loan team, which helps students and faculty obtain materials that aren’t part of Kellogg Library’s inventory.

The nominator noted that the team has innovated extensively to adapt services to enable the library to mail books to users’ homes and route requests for digital resources to be acquired for users through the library’s Digital on Demand service.

“The resource sharing unit is completely user-centered and responsive, ensuring that questions about resources and requests are answered as soon as possible – and most requests for digital materials are handled within 1-2 days,” the nominator wrote. “So far this academic year, resource sharing has received over 5,000 requests for resources and is able to provide or fill more than 95% of requests by borrowing from other CSUs and through partnerships with universities around the world. We are extremely fortunate to have such an amazing team that supports faculty teaching and research and student learning!”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

STARS is the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System that measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. CSUSM’s report is available on the STARS website.

“This is a true testament to our whole community working together to integrate sustainability into the fabric of our campus,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM’s sustainability manager. “Obviously, COVID has thrown us for a loop, but now more than ever, it is important for us to become a more sustainable and resilient campus and utilize new ways of thinking and doing to ensure CSUSM continues to lead for many years to come.”

With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser said. “CSUSM has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”

CSUSM received a STARS Silver Rating after completing its first assessment in 2017.

“Over the past few years, I have focused on areas where we can grow the sustainability program and align our efforts with our CSUSM Sustainability Master Plan, our campus strategic plan and our CSU mission, vision and values,” Goodlaw-Morris said. “I am happy to say that, over the past three years, we have developed new programming, improved in areas such as campus engagement and are a leading campus connecting sustainability with our diversity and equity efforts under the inclusive sustainability initiative.

“In addition, faculty conducting research related to sustainability has increased, and we truly are creating new and innovative solutions to solve some of the biggest challenges we currently face locally and globally.”

All CSU campuses are required to use STARS as a reporting tool for the Chancellor’s Office, which shares the reports with the Board of Trustees. CSUSM is one of eight CSUs to receive a gold rating.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The sustainability minor is intended for students who are interested in environmental issues but not majoring in environmental studies. Greig Tor Guthey, an associate professor of geography and the program director of environmental studies, said the minor could make for a great companion to many degrees at CSUSM, including anthropology, business administration, biochemistry, biological sciences, communication, economics, global studies, history, liberal studies, political science and sociology.  

“I think what makes the degree stand out is the emphasis on resilience thinking, climate change and environmental justice,” Guthey said. “The climate is changing and having a whole slew of effects, like wildfires, increased heat and evapotranspiration. We need leaders who can adapt to these circumstances and meet new challenges so that we can increase social, economic and environmental sustainability.” 

Guthey said the sustainability minor was designed to be easily adaptable to student needs. There are four required courses: ENVS 100: Introduction to Environmental Studies, ENVS 305: Resilience and Society, GEOG 310: Climate and Life in the Anthropocene, and PHIL 340: Ethics and the Environment.  

Beyond those four, students have the option of taking courses from a list of electives or substituting other courses they think would be appropriate based on their interests and needs. Selections should be made in consultation with program faculty. 

For more information on the sustainability minor, go to https://www.csusm.edu/envs/sust_minor.html.  

Plans to start the program at the University Student Union, home to most campus dining services, came to a screeching halt. No food production on campus meant no food waste to compost.

But at one of Hebert’s Journey to Zero Waste meetings, discussion started about the possibility of bringing the composting program to the University Village Apartments, which continued to house students during the spring and summer. With help from Erin Jonesrebandt, a resident director of Housing & Residential Education for UVA, Hebert’s team got a handful of residents on board and stationed a composting bin outside of Building B at UVA.

“It's a big lift for the campus to say that we're doing this, especially during COVID,” said Hebert, the university's zero waste program coordinator. “Even though it’s a small program running over at UVA, it’s an important step.”

Hebert noted that they were able to successfully launch through a partnership with The Compost Group (TCG), a North County group that aims to provide local communities with sustainable composting processing solutions.

"TCG launched a small operation on campus in March, and that has provided us with the opportunity to start a small program prior to EDCO providing widescale service," said Hebert, who added that the program with TCG was launched by the College of Business Administration and the Sustainability department.

CSUSM, which has a sustainability goal of zero waste by 2025, has for several years had pre-consumer composting, which includes fruit and vegetable clippings from dining services and coffee grounds from Starbucks and Crash’s Cafe.

Implementing a post-consumer program is part of the university’s effort to reduce organic waste to 50% of 2014 rates this year and 75% by 2025, as mandated by California Assembly Bill 1383. Post-consumer organic waste includes any cooked food scraps and can include other compostable items such as plates, utensils and napkins.

When the program launched at UVA in July, all residents were in Building B, which is why the container is located there. Now that additional students are at UVA for the fall semester, Hebert is hoping more will be inspired to participate in the program by using the composting container to dispose their food waste.

“Right now, we’re just keeping it to that one container,” said Hebert, who added that the campus-wide post-consumer program will launch when more students return to campus. “But we’re hoping that eventually we’ll need to place some other containers at UVA.”

Learn more about CSUSM’s Journey to Zero Waste online or by emailing zerowaste@csusm.edu.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The award was for a collaboration with Cal State Northridge on a project titled “Sustainable Menstruation: Making Periods Zero Waste and Accessible to All.” CSUSM was recognized last year for its creation of an environmental justice internship program.

“This recognition demonstrates how sustainability at CSUSM is working toward student success through the lens of equity, inclusion, access and affordability,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM’s sustainability manager. “By receiving this award for the past two years, I am proud to say that CSUSM is leading the way across the CSU with our efforts to connect social justice, equity and inclusion with sustainability.”

Recent CSUSM graduate Marina Flowers received a $2,500 grant from ASI's Sustainability Projects Fund through ASI for the project. Flowers’ aim was to reduce stigmas around menstruation, make sustainable menstruation accessible to those who want it, and to help CSUSM reach its “Zero Waste by 2025” goal.

Goodlaw-Morris said the project was a success, with students receiving sustainable menstruation products and saving money at the same time. She noted that a person who menstruates spends an average of $12,800 on menstrual care products and disposes over 10,000 products into landfills during their lifetime. Goodlaw-Morris said sustainable products reduce this significantly, with no disposal needs and only a one-time purchase (average cost $25) about every 10 years.

CSUSM will offer 200 sustainable menstruation items to students this fall through a collaboration with the company OrganiCup and its Campus Cup program. Students can follow CSUSM’s sustainability Instagram account (@sustaincsusm) to participate in the free giveaway, which will occur in late September and early October.

“The ‘Sustainable Menstruation’ is a great example of how sustainability intersects with access, affordability and health,” Goodlaw-Morris said. “I recognize that this is a unique project, but one that benefits our students immensely. For many, becoming more sustainable is seen as costing more money. However, this project demonstrates that sustainability can be good for your pocketbook, for your health and for the environment – a win-win-win.”

Students can apply for grant funding through the Sustainable Projects Fund online. Applications are open until Oct. 2.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

In-person celebrations of that milestone can’t happen this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. But virtual events are happening all over the globe, including at Cal State San Marcos.

Join Associated Students, Inc., as it marks the occasion with a whole week of virtual activities.

Energy-saving Tuesday

Unplug your phone and laptop chargers when they’re not in use. Unplug lamps, irons and kitchen appliances. Turn off the lights, and open the drapes.

Also, students can participate and win sustainable prizes in an Earth Week story template contest. Just follow @asi.csusm on Instagram, take a screenshot of the “Earth Week Favorites” template, fill out the template using GIFs, and tag @asi.csusm and share your story.

If your profile is private, send a direct message to ASI on Instagram so your name can be added to the drawing. Prizes will be shipped directly to winners’ homes.

Water Wednesday

Put a bucket in your shower to reuse the water for your plants and dishes, shorten your shower time, and reduce toilet bowl flushes.

From 3-5 p.m., you’re invited to attend a Zoom webinar titled “50 Years of Earth Day: Looking at Now and Beyond.” The event focuses on local environmental and economic issues, and will also address COVID-19 and student self-care. Faculty will have a chance to explain their area of expertise relative to the webinar’s focus and, where appropriate, discuss any future-oriented approaches to problem-solving. Next, students can question panelists, comment, and propose their own ideas for problem-solving in a back-and-forth dialogue. Register for the webinar here.

DIY Thursday

Make your own mask, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies. Find how-to videos online.

Take this day to educate yourself about sustainability efforts happening across the California State University system. Find a virtual event and explore the ways that other CSU campuses are honoring the Earth and its special day. Learn to make a beeswax wrap with the Cal State Northridge sustainability program at noon or watch the film “Dark Waters” with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at 7 p.m.

Zero-waste Friday

Save your snack bags and reuse your jars. Buy and sell clothes online using thrifting apps. Freeze overripe fruits and vegetables instead of throwing them away.

Also, join Lindsey Cain, the recipient of ASI sustainable project funding, as she continues her cooking series “Vegan Made Easy” on a virtual platform. Follow along with the video and make a delicious vegan meal at home. The list of ingredients you’ll need to make vegan mac and cheese and vegan oatmeal cookies is available on the Earth Week website.

Students looking for more ways to celebrate Earth Day can check out the Instagram page of the CSUSM Environmental Stewards Association, which will feature daily posts with engaging activities and ways to get involved.

Students also can take part in the official 50^th anniversary celebration Wednesday by visiting the Earth Day 2020 website.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

A fuel cell is a device that utilizes a chemical reaction to convert energy from a fuel - such as natural gas into electricity. CSUSM’s Purecell ® Model 400 fuel cells each feature a 440kW base load electric output and are extremely efficient, with a 10-year cell stack life, capability to operate independent of the power grid and noise output no louder than the sound of piano music.

The system is operated through a power purchase agreement with BioFuels Energy, LLC, an Encinitas-based company currently working to develop alternative energy projects that provide more affordable electricity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

CSUSM has also partnered with the Doosan Group, a global corporation that also owns the well-known farming and construction industry leader, the Bobcat Company, to bring the fuel cells to campus.

"With decades of experience and research in fuel cell systems, the Doosan Group is an ideal partner with a wealth of knowledge to help this venture succeed," said Linda Hawk, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services. "The benefits of partnering with Doosan and BioFuels on the fuel cell system are significant."

Compared to traditional energy sources, the Doosan Group estimates the system will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide - approximately 1.1 million pounds, the equivalent of 409 acres of forest, and nitrogen oxide - about 3,300 pounds, the equivalent output of 94 cars.

"CSUSM is one of several CSU campuses to explore fuel cell technology, but we’re the first to use the Doosan model," said Hawk. "We anticipate this system will bring much-needed energy cost savings over the term of our contract, but what it means for our environmental stewardship strategy is more exciting."

This project has been many years in the making and a great step toward renewable onsite energy generation, a goal CSUSM plans to take even further next year and beyond with solar installation and battery storage projects that will help reduce emissions even more significantly.

"I’m especially pleased of all the hard work this year from our Facilities Development and Energy Management teams that made this agreement," said Hawk. "I say this often, but it bears repeating: our campus has the finest and brightest professional minds you will find anywhere, and I’m proud to work alongside such an accomplished team."

To learn more about how CSUSM is implementing environmentally responsible strategies to preserve precious resources for future generations, visit the sustainability website.

A Sustainably Designed Student Union

CSUSM’s new student union, built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification standards, opened to students during spring semester. The new four-story, 89,283-square-foot building is located near the center of campus, adjacent to Cesar Chavez Circle, with the fourth floor entrance opening onto Kellogg Plaza. The $43.9 million project was funded through student fees.

“To have a LEED Certified building is no easy feat as it requires the building to be designed, constructed and maintained to eliminate negative environmental impact through skillful and sensitive design,” said Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services Linda Hawk. ”While these are amazing accomplishments, we are not stopping here – we will continue to seek innovative and environmentally conscious ways to improve our practices. And the University Student Union stands as a monument of our capabilities and the value our campus community places on sustainability.”

The vision of the USU was simple. Create a building that meets the needs of the CSUSM community while leaving the smallest imprint on the environment. Green building highlights of the USU include:

• Use of environmentally friendly building materials.

• Tempering of intake air for the HVAC system (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning).

• Control of storm water runoff through bioswales and olive groves.

• Extensive use of natural light that reduces dependence on artificial lighting.

• Water use reduction through low flush and flow, dual flush fixtures.

• 3,000-square-foot green roof consisting of native vegetation that naturally cools the ballroom space below.

• A 100-Kw photovoltaic renewable energy system built on the conventional roof with SRI compliant roofing material.

“I would like to congratulate CSUSM for their beautiful new University Student Union,” said Dawn Welch, director of commercial and industrial services for SDG&E. “They are truly leading the way when it comes to building sustainability in from the ground up. Our goal at SDG&E is to be our customer's energy advisor. We have solutions for any business that wants to make changes that will translate into real energy savings. CSUSM has demonstrated this amazingly well with their latest addition, the USU.”

A Green Campus

Sustainability is interwoven into the fabric of CSUSM’s campus culture. LEED Gold is the standard for all of CSUSM’s new buildings and the University also places an emphasis on green procurement practices, curbing waste and improving recycling, creating and implementing a sustainable water management plan and much more.

Later this year, CSUSM will be recognized at the 2014 California Higher Education Sustainability Conference’s Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Best Practice Awards competition for best practices in three categories: water efficiency and site water quality; innovative waste reduction; and sustainability in academics. CSUSM received recognition in more categories than any other California State University or University of California campus.