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CSUSM Sustainability Newsletter

May 2022

The end of Spring semester is upon us, cougars! Congratulations to the class of 2022 and to everyone who helped our graduates succeed!

Upcoming Events

With move-out just around the corner (May 23), students living on campus will have many personal items they no longer need. Instead of sending them to the landfill, we will happily take those items off your hands!

Have any additional questions or concerns? Please contact us at sustainability@csusm.edu!

Sustainability Tip of the Month

For those that are still needing/wanting to take their graduation photos on campus, here are some low waste alternatives to glitter, balloons, and confetti you can incorporate to have your photos not only be special but more sustainable, too:

🎓Use hole-punched leaves or flower petals

🎓Blow bubbles with a bubble wand

🎓Use a letter board, picture frame, or chalkboard sign

Student Spotlight

This year, we started a unique opportunity for CSUSM students called The Planet Mentorship Pilot Program! This program is a paid opportunity for students with diverse backgrounds to become change makers. It consists of a cohort of eight (8) CSUSM students that use arts and data visualization to illuminate how climate change and environmental justice disproportionately impacts communities of color. Through this mentorship, students will also have the chance to explore pathways for their futures and learn useful skillsets, such as communicating complex themes and ideas, project development through collaboration, and creative problem-solving. This program is part of our Inclusive Sustainability efforts here at CSUSM- where we connect the Office of Inclusive Sustainability with the Sustainability Program.

Meet the faces of this year's incredible student cohort:

Niki Johnson (she/they)

Major: Environmental Studies

Expected graduation date: Spring 2023

Why did you want to apply to be in the Planet Mentorship program?:

"I wanted to be a part of the Planet Mentorship program because I am passionate about intersectional environmentalism and climate justice, and wanted to connect with others who are as well."

Mellie Nitunga (she/her)

Major: Biochemistry

Expected graduation date: Spring 2023

What gives you hope for the future- in light of climate change and sustainability issues?:

"One thing that gives me hope about the future of climate change is that more people are realizing climate change can increase health issues. I also feel like it's important that we understand how the climate is changing, so that we can prepare for the future."

David Ramos (he/him)

Major: Environmental Studies and Art, Media, & Design

Expected graduation date: 2024

Why did you want to apply to be in the Planet Mentorship program?:

"I applied for this Planet Mentorship program because I wanted to gain a skill set that I could utilize outside of the classwork. Using these skills to learn about the complexities of my environmental studies degree and how I could apply them to the real world. Allowing me a better understanding of how I can utilize my skills. I want to be the person who stands up to the challenge and aims to help people that are less fortunate and unfairly represented in the community. Through this internship, I can bring light to these issues in a way that feels fulfilling to my overall career. I want to stand up for the health of my community and the environment in an ever-changing world."

Afomia Abraham (she/they)

Major: Visual Arts

Expected graduation date: Winter 2022

What gives you hope for the future- in light of climate change and sustainability issues?:

"The readiness my generation has to make a difference gives me hope for the future."

Daisy Gutierrez (she/her)

Major: Art, Media, & Design

Expected graduation date: Fall 2022

Why did you want to apply to be in the Planet Mentorship program?:

"I was initially interested in the Planet Mentorship program because I wanted to combine my background in art and technology to bring awareness to environmental issues.

Being part of Planet Mentorship has also introduced me to new resources and opportunities I was not aware of before."

Alexis Vaughn (she/her)

Major: Biology with a Spanish minor

Expected graduation date: Spring 2024

What gives you hope for the future- in light of climate change and sustainability issues?:

"It gives me hope to see that so many people are passionate and care about the environment and want to find ways to help."

Aidelen Montoya (she/her)

Major: Museum Studies, Art, & Art History

Expected graduation date: Spring 2023

Why did you want to apply to be in the Planet Mentorship program?:

"I wanted to be in the Planet Mentorship program because I noticed working in museum spaces, there is a lot of waste. Ranging from outdated communiques to transportation of artifacts. I hope to bring more environmentally safe practices and steps toward social justice by way of decolonizing museum spaces."

Luis F. Lopez (he/him)

Major: Sociology

Expected graduation date: Spring 2023

What gives you hope for the future- in light of climate change and sustainability issues?:

"Programs like this all across the globe have mobilized people of all demographics to listen to the scientist and widen our perspectives on the effects that climate has on the planet and its occupants. My peers and I know that with education comes changes, we are ready to promote and advise our knowledge and help everyone understand that change is possible."

To learn more about the 2022 Planet Mentorship Pilot Program and/or this amazing cohort, visit our website!

On-campus Sustainability

Did you know that CSUSM offers FREE menstrual products?? In accordance with California Assembly Bill AB-367: Menstrual Equity for All, our campus provides these products for any student that needs them. The locations above are where these products can be found.

In accordance with this bill, as well as with maintaining our zero waste efforts, the sustainability program offers FREE reusable menstrual cups! These cups serve as a more sustainable option for menstrual products and are available for all CSUSM students, staff and faculty.

For more information about sustainable menstruation, please contact us at sustainability@csusm.edu or visit our website!

Recent Events

Earth Month was full of fun events, speakers and activities. Collaborating with ASI, Service Learning and Civic Engagement Office, and the Environmental Stewards Association was a great way to celebrate the planet and find creative ways to live a little more sustainably. Our Journey to Zero Waste Fair was a HIT this year! We had a great time hanging out at Kellogg Plaza, giving away free sustainable swag and other pre-loved items to our campus community, eating some tasty Kona Ice, and checking out pre-loved clothes at Cougar Thrifts, all while educating the campus community about our Zero Waste by 2025 goal!

This year's fair was a major success, and we can't wait to do it again next year!

We had such a great time tabling at the International Fair this year! We had lots of students visit us, engaged in some awesome conversations about sustainability efforts on campus, gave out several free stickers, and had many students enter our raffle for an opportunity to win some sustainable swag!

Discussing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and how they connect CSUSM's sustainability goals to global goals was exciting!

Thank you to CSUSM Global Education for hosting and giving us the opportunity to participate in this incredible event. We had a blast!

Our mailing address is:

Safety, Health, and Sustainability

333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd

San Marcos, CA 92096-0001

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CSUSM Sustainability · 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road · San Marcos, CA 92096-0001 · USA