About the Office
History
In 2015 CSU Monterey Bay hired its first Sustainability Director, and with it, the Office of Sustainability was created. However, there were many efforts to address Sustainability in campus operations before 2015. These efforts required the collaboration of numerous staff and faculty taking leadership roles to advance sustainability on campus.
Student Engagement
Students are a critical part of the efforts of Sustainability. Student employees within the Office of Sustainability support projects, reporting, communications, and outreach. In addition, there are many student-led partners across campus that participate in increasing campus sustainability. One such group is the Environmental Affairs Committee in Associated Students which is critical to sustainability efforts and works closely with the Office of Sustainability.
Sustainability and Inclusivity
The Office of Sustainability transitioned from the Department of Facilities, Construction, and Planning to the Office of Inclusive Excellence in the Summer of 2020. This is a reflection of the integrated nature of sustainability to the campus community as well as the intersectional efforts between sustainability, social justice, equity, and environmental performance.
- 2007 - Associated Students fund an Environmental Committee
- 2009 - Dining Commons and Otter Express achieve LEED Silver certification
- 2011 - 1 MW solar installation complete
- 2011 - Begin using Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS)
- 2013 - CSUMB completes first Climate Action Plan
- 2013 - Launch Environmental Studies and Marine Science program
- 2014 - Board of Regents approve CSU Sustainability Policy
- 2014 - Sustainable Otters Living Learning Program - A sustainability focused residential living learning program launches in Student Housing & Residential Life
- 2015 - Sustainable Hospitality program in College of Business launches
- 2016 - Business and Information Technology building receives Platinum LEED certification
- 2016 - First Sustainability Director hired
- 2017 - First campus to register for Living Community Challenge
- 2018 - First campus to develop an approved Living Community Challenge Vision Plan
- 2019 - College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences building on track to achieve LEED Gold Certification
- 2020 - Inclusive Sustainability Plan Approved