Resolution Supporting

Campuswide Sustainability Efforts

at USF
10-11-02

Additional reasoning – Appendix I

Whereas, 66% of correspondents in a study conducted by the

Princeton Review in 2009 "would favor having [information
comparing colleges commitments to environmental issues"
and 24% "said it would "Strongly" or "Very Much" contribute
to their assessment of a school." Further, "Students placed
higher value on this information than parents did; and

Whereas, At least 250 campuses have sustainability coordinators

or directors or offices of sustainability; and twice that many
have institution-wide sustainability or
environmental committees; and

Whereas, Peer institutions including Santa Clara University,

Dominican University, Stanford University and UC Berkeley
operate sustainability departments
or centers with appointed Directors or Coordinators; and

Whereas, The state of California is known as a leader in sustainable

efforts evidenced by the Governor’s Executive Order S-20-
04, through which California has committed to reduce
energy consumption in state buildings by 20% by 2015; and

Whereas, The city and county of San Francisco is a leader in

sustainable efforts, evidenced by the 'Climate Action Plan'
of 2004 which commits the city to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2012; and

Whereas, The University requires coordination and communication

between stakeholders to ensure completion of upcoming
reports and synthesis of relevant news across the campus;
and

Whereas, Associated Students and its respective departments

have displayed a sense of shared responsibility in reducing
waste, prioritizing recycling, reducing
energy consumption and are encouraged to continue doing
so through innovation and personal initiative; therefore be
 it;

Appendix II: Student Survey

In the Spring of 2010 a survey was collected online and in person as

part of a project for the Intro to Environmental Policy course taught by
Prof. Henry Topper. This survey was conducted online and involved a
samples size of 80 students. The survey is a follow up to one
conducted in the Fall of 2008 by Prof. Stephanie Oshita’s class which
featured approximately 200 students. Taken in total it is possible to
observe trends contributing to University wide emphasis on
sustainable initiatives.

The 2010 survey included a total of ten questions focusing on four

categories:

• Demographics

• Climate change awareness

• Environmental action

• Environmental action at USF

Key results are outlined below.

1. Full results from Student Climate Change survey from 2010

2. Full results from Student Energy and Environment survey from

2008

3. Full results from University Transportation survey from 2008

• Nearly 80% of correspondents are influenced by environmental

factors in their everyday behavior
 • Over 40% of correspondents have ‘been active in a group or
organization that works to protect the environment’

• Almost 50% have ‘voted or worked for candidates because of

their position on environmental issues’

• Of 14 proposed environmental actions, 13 were supported by

more than 50% of the student body.

What environmental actions would you support at USF? (select all that
apply)
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Increased environmental info for students (events,
64.7% 44
dorm programs, website...)
Display info on campus energy and resource use, as
67.6% 46
well as savings
Harness wind power (install wind turbines) to supply
73.5% 50
some of campus electricity
Purchase more electricity from renewable energy
72.1% 49
sources
Purchase carbon offsets to further reduce our carbon
45.6% 31
footprint
Install water filling stations (with filters) to reduce
86.8% 59
use of plastic bottles
Eradicating plastic water bottles from the USF
64.7% 44
Campus
Bring organic food vendors and/or Farmers Market to
79.4% 54
Campus
Install additional bike racks to encourage
72.1% 49
communicating by bicycle and public transit
Offer BART shuttle to promote use of public transit 57.4% 39
Run University vehicles on bio-diesel fuel from 82.4% 56
cafeteria waste oil and grease
Save resources by requiring use of recycled paper in
72.1% 49
University offices
Eradicating plastic bags from the USF campus 69.1% 47
Contributing $1-5 a year to a ‘Green Initiative Fund’
55.9% 38
to support environmental initiatives on campus
I do not support any action 2.9% 2

• A majority of students engage with climate change issues in their

coursework

Appendix III: University of San Francisco Trends

A series of trends and observations taken as a whole point to the need

to prioritize coordination around sustainability on-campus. With so
many projects and high levels of engagement it is ever more important
for there to be an individual or office to turn to in support of such
efforts.

1. Increase in student led clubs and organizations emphasizing

environment

a. Back to the Roots, founded in 2008

b. USF Outdoors Club, founded in 2009

c. Net Impact Undergraduate chapter, founded in 2009

d. Larger Rubber Bike club, founded in 2009

e. USF Garden Project, founded in 2007

2. Increase in faculty led campaigns

a. On-campus Farmers market, begun in 2008

 b. Undergraduate Sustainable Business course, begun in
2009

3. Increase in departmental initiatives

a. Installation of photovoltaic cells, 2009

b. Industrial size composter, 2010

c. Residence Hall Energy competition, 2009

d. Replacement of inefficient lamps in exterior light fixtures,

2008

e. Partnership with Zipcar, 2009

f. Partnership with Zimride, 2010

g. Bon Appetite Low-carbon days, 2009

h. Green Department Certification, 2010

i. Green Ambassadors Program, 2010

j. Green Team, 2007

k. Carpool Discount Initiative, 2008

4. Other relevant student movements

a. Support of Plastiki project, 2009

b. Support of water bottle refilling stations in business school,

2010

c. Garden Project market stand, 2010

d. Campus-wide Earth Day event, 2009

e. Fair Trade Coffee movement, 2009

 Appendix IV: Placement and Funding options

As with any new or increased position, it is important to identify where

the funds could derive and which office such a position may be best
suited. Based on a survey conducted in 2008 by the Association for the
Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education we are able to
identify national trends to support our campus response.1

Key points

• Generally Sustainability Coordinators are housed within the

facilities office or in charge of their own office owing to the
relatively high impact of campus buildings and infrastructure on
climate outcomes.

1
http://www.aashe.org/documents/resources/pdf/sustainability_officer_survey
_2008.pdf
 • In terms of direct reporting and responsibility the survey data
suggests wider interpretation. Depending on the emphasis that
the University President would like to place on the topic,
oversight can be delegated at the Vice President level or again
even to facilities.

• Analyzing salary figures leads to the question of quality versus

functionality. For smaller institutions with fewer buildings and
programs to manage as well as a generally weaker focus on
research it is entirely plausible to spend around $40,000 to
$50,000 in order to facilitate University discussion, projects and
information dissemination.

QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

Plausible sources of funding:

1. Shared costs across multiple schools, departments and budgets

given the wide net of benefactors that such a position creates
(Arts & Sciences, Business, Facilities, University Life)

2. Re-allocation of funds from retiring or current positions including

faculty with stated interest or availability.
3. Creation of new position based on future cost savings associated
with energy reduction and efficiencies