SOARing into a Sustainable School Year

 For the first time, campus sustainability resources and information were integrated into SOAR, the mandatory orientation program for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Throughout the summer, staff and student assistants from the Office of Sustainability, Parking and Transportation Services, and ASI’s Sustain U  facilitated a SOAR workshop designed to welcome new students to The Beach and educate them about campus resources and tips for living a sustainable lifestyle, both inside and outside the classroom.

 

 

The workshop, called Sustainability at The Beach, was offered as one of the resource sessions that students could choose to attend. The workshop aimed to inform participants about some of the ways that the university is committed to creating a healthier planet as well as ways to get involved in sustainability efforts on campus.

 

 From our University Climate Commitment to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2030, to sustainable transportation options to reduce our carbon footprint, to our zero waste program Waste Not, students learned about the many ways that The Beach is a leader in sustainability. The goal was for the students to leave the session having learned how CSULB is committed to promoting sustainability through campus operations, academic programs and engagement efforts.
 

Students who participated in the workshop signed a Sustainability Pledge committing themselves to adopting certain sustainable behaviors. These behaviors include minimizing landfill waste by sorting recyclables and food scraps properly, using sustainable transportation options such as biking, walking, shuttling or carpooling, as much as possible, and getting involved with student groups that promote sustainability and social justice. 

 

 

Inspired to take more action to reduce their carbon footprint, students also pledged to use reusable bags, shop locally, reduce their meat consumption and raise awareness about environmental sustainability.

 

Diverse conversations sparked throughout the sessions, ranging from positive lifestyle changes to interest in incorporating environmental sustainability in multiple disciplines, to positive social action that can be taken to mitigate climate change impacts.

 

“It [Sustainability at The Beach] was a lot of fun! It was very informative. I learned a lot of facts about the school and the efforts the school is making to be more sustainable,” said Alex Lynch, a transfer student studying Environmental Science & Policy.

 

The positive reaction to the workshop seemed to reinforce the idea that students are interested in seeing more sustainability topics incorporated into orientation, outreach and educational efforts.

 

CSULB Sustainability Coordinator Holli Fajack remarked, “Our goal is to create an environment on campus that promotes healthy, low-impact lifestyles, active student participation in sustainable initiatives and an eagerness to learn more about the world and ways they can help make it more environmentally resilient.”

 

Fajack and the rest of the CSULB Sustainability team were encouraged to see so many students embrace the university’s sustainability culture as they begin this new chapter of their lives at The Beach!