University of California, San Diego
PAE-2: Strategic Plan

The Long Range Development Plan Environmental Impact Report (LRDP EIR) includes extensive data on environmental impacts and discusses sustainability policies and objectives. Section 5 of Chapter 2 makes explicit reference to environmental sustainability. According to the LRDP, all UC San Diego's buildings are built according to the highest sustainability standards established in the 2000 Governor's Executive Order D-16-00. All campus buildings are built holistically with individual building features that work together as a coherent whole. In 2003, UC San Diego implemented a system-wide Green Buildings policy and clean energy standard. According to the LRDP, UC San Diego incorporates programs and techniques that create buildings and systems that are environmentally sensitive and help provide for a sustainable environment. For example, in 1997, UC San Diego completed a reclaimed water project and continually seeks to implement projects that promote sustainability through efficient water use, encouraging energy efficiency, and promoting opportunities for the use of alternative transportation. The campus also has a completed a detailed Sustainability Assessment and adopted a comprehensive Climate Action Plan that addressed all facets of campus sustainability. All this information is provided in the 2004 Long Range Development Plan.

The LRDP and its EIR discuss the broad social effects of University programs and projects on people in both the campus and greater San Diego communities. According to the LRDP, UC San Diego has had a long-term commitment to serving the lifelong educational needs of the community. “Extended Studies and Public Programs (ESPP) is a multifaceted organization which provides post-baccalaureate education and innovative public programs that serve local, regional, and global constituencies. This is accomplished through continuing education and degree-related programs, community initiatives supportive of economic and social development, a wide array of public service lectures, forums, and special events, and through print, radio, and television media.”

Additionally, UC San Diego Medical Center is home to numerous clinical, research, and community service programs. UCSD also provides high quality childcare for its students, faculty, and staff. UC San Diego's childcare facility, Mesa Childhood Development Center, was UC San Diego's first LEED-Gold building.

Further, UC San Diego provides affordable on-campus housing for its students, which allows for a more diverse student population and reduces traffic in the greater San Diego area. Also, UC San Diego's cultural programs serve academic endeavors in applied and performing arts and enrich the cultural life of the campus and community. “Recognizing that UC San Diego’s exceptional public performing and visual arts programs contribute greatly to the cultural climate of the region, the campus continuously seeks ways to make these programs more accessible to the public.” For example, UC San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse and the Stuart Art Collection bring performance and visual art to the greater San Diego community.

Lastly, the UC San Diego campus is home to the Preuss School UCSD. The Preuss school UCSD is home to 700 middle school and high school students drawn from the San Diego region. “The mission of this school is to prepare students who seek to become the first generation of college graduates in their families for enrollment in UC and other excellent institutions of higher education.” All this information is provided in the 2004 Long Range Development Plan.

The LRDP EIR discusses growth inducing effects and economic implication of campus growth, as well as services and projects provided by external agencies. According to the LRDP, UCSD contributes to San Diego’s highly trained workforce and has had a profound impact on the regional economy.

As one of San Diego County’s largest employers, UC San Diego’s monthly payroll exceeds approximately $71 million. In addition, UC San Diego annually purchases approximately $600 million in goods and services. UC San Diego faculty, staff, students and alumni have spun-off over 200 local companies. Even with the benefits stemming from the University expansion and cooperation, the wise management of growth will continue to pose a complex and difficult challenge for the University and the greater San Diego area. However, as UC San Diego strives to fulfill its publicly mandated academic mission during a period of continuous growth, it will remain committed to maintaining and enhancing its working relationship with the community and developing creative solutions.

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/sustainability/policy.html