Program | 2010 California Higher Education Sustainability Conference

Track Sessions

Descriptions of Tracks (alphabetically)

The following descriptions were meant to give potential submitters examples of proposals that would fit well within the following tracks. The Call for Proposals for speaking is now closed. Please use these descriptions as a preview of topics the conference may cover this year. Check back at the end of April for a list of confirmed speakers.

Energy Track Exhibitor Show Presentations Food Systems Green Building Green Industry Healthcare Institutionalizing Sustainability and Climate Action Planning Poster Show	Procurement Research and Curriculum Social Equity Student Affairs Student Convergence Transportation Waste Water

Energy Track
The energy track is most interested in proposals on:

Updates from regulatory agencies on current policies, rebate programs, and available resources for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and open dialogues where attendees can ask questions about new legislation
Case studies of campuses that have successfully achieved energy reduction and GHG goals or are well on their way to doing so; implementation of energy goals within AB32
How to get intelligence from buildings; Collecting and using energy data from buildings and incorporating metrics and related data into decision making processes (For example, Monitoring Based Commissioning , MBCx)
Case studies on specialty facilities such as clean rooms and laboratories
Energy Efficiency in computing; case studies of campuses that have built collaborations across departments and divisions of campus to centralize computing; cloud computing centers; and energy efficient data centers
Demand response; including advanced building controls, incentive programs related to demand response, raising awareness of occupants related to demand response, etc…
Improving building occupant/user behavior and tracking savings from user behavior.
Case Studies on innovative, unusual, or particularly large scale renewable energy and self-generation projects.
Financing and delivery of renewable energy

Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#energy
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#energy

Exhibitor Show Presentations
The Exhibitor Show Presentations will highlight innovative products and services. Presentations will be immediately adjacent to the Exhibit show area and both full conference attendees and anyone with an exhibitor show pass can attend these talks. These talks will be approximately 15-20min each. This track committee is interested in a wide breadth of products and services. Here are a few limited examples:

Water efficient and waterless technologies
Innovative Solar Technologies
Technologies and services to help campuses track sustainability metrics
Electronic purchasing systems and software
Green cleaning products or building operations and maintenance products.
Water treatment and collection technologies which are applicable to the campus-scale
Green building materials (what architects specify)
This should be relatively wide open but need monitoring by selection group/criteria.

Proposals to this track will also have to meet the below guidelines:

We do not accept sales pitches or marketing presentations.
The track committee prefers projects which have been successfully proven on a California campus, though that is not a requirement in this track. (Projects that have not yet been demonstrated on a California campus, should be proven in a context where the best practice is transferrable) real world, solution based case studies
Companies offering similar products and/or services may be asked to participate on a panel together after proposals are received
Business leaders may present alone or in collaboration with a campus presenter
Speakers presenting in this track will not be given a discounted speaker registration fee; All speakers must register at minimum for the one day exhibitor pass rate or use passes that they already obtained from sponsorship or exhibiting.
Presenters in this track will not be allowed to give away products or samples during their presentation or use slogans in their presentations
After speakers are selected, speakers will be expected to submit their PowerPoint Presentations to the track committee for review; this is not required unless you are selected as a speaker
Speakers in this track are required to register as exhibitors for the conference.
Exhibitors are not guaranteed a spot in the Exhibitor Show Presentations. Limited spots are available.

Food Systems
This track seeks proposals on the integration of sustainability into all aspects of campus food systems and brings together food service managers, chefs, campus administrators, faculty researchers, professionals, and students from across California for engaging and interactive sessions. We will explore cutting edge food procurement projects, green business practices, ongoing research & education programs, waste reduction and efficiency efforts, and other promising innovations within our campuses. We encourage proposals that highlight lessons learned as well as successes. Potential topics that this year’s track may address include:

Partnerships with students and the Real Food Challenge
Climate Change and Food Attitudes
Sustainability Metrics for campus food services such as operations, waste management, training, and purchasing
Meatless/beefless initiatives and other helpful models on reducing our carbon footprint
Innovative education and outreach efforts to engage staff and meal plan holders
Using efficiency to save money and improve the bottom-line
Catalyzing campus and community partnerships
Addressing sustainable procurement of items such as seafood, meat, and dairy
Engaging Chefs in sustainable sourcing and healthy eating
Successful models of working with franchises and contracted vendors in advancing your campus sustainable food service plans
Green business and LEED certification on kitchen facilities

Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#food
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#foodsystems

Green Building
There are two Green Building Tracks at this year’s conference:

Green Building New Construction and
Green Building Operations, Maintenance, and Renovations

Presentations to these tracks should address the building holistically. Proposals that address only one component of the building such as the HVAC system should be submitted to one of the other tracks, in the case of our example to the energy track. This year, the speaker selection committee is particularly excited to receive proposals related to the process of designing, budgeting, planning, and certifying buildings through LEED. Some topics could include:

Design Build and Delivery Systems
Working with multi-disciplinary clients
Engaging faculty building committees and gathering student input
How to navigate through Version 3 of LEED; What’s different from previous systems?
The new CA building code and comparison with other policies
Occupancy Analysis
Case studies of zero-net energy building design
Successful strategies to green laboratory renovations
Strategies for institutionalizing green building practices across all minor renovation projects on a given campus
Greening leased spaces

Case studies of zero-net energy building design Proposals to this track should have focus on a core take-away message that attendees can learn. If you are considering proposing a talk about a Medical Facility, please submit it to the Healthcare track instead.
Past presentations in the Green Building New Construction Track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#gbnc
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#newconstruction

Past presentations in the Green Building Operations, Maintenance, and Renovations Track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#gbomr
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#existing

Green Industry

We recognize the work of business leaders in helping campuses to accomplish our goals. This track is dedicated to the innovations of businesses collaborating with campuses on sustainability projects. This is a full track and will only be open to participants attending the conference sessions (Full Conference and One Day passes available). The track committee is especially interested in the following topics:

Partnerships between industry leaders and campuses on sustainability efforts
How has your company addressed corporate and social responsibility? Especially examples of corporations partnering with their local communities
Private-public research and development partnerships
Presentations by companies hiring for environmental positions and/or positions where sustainability training will help them secure a job. Presentations should address what skills will be needed in the new green workforce and could be targeted at faculty designing curriculum to prepare students or towards students applying
Career-oriented sessions targeted towards students, faculty, and/or career counselors
Life cycle analysis of your company or product line
Efforts that your company has taken to reduce the environmental impact of your products and/or company as a whole
Tracking of sustainability metrics and sharing of that data with campus partners
Establishing electronic purchasing systems that meet campus auditing requirements
Tracking embedded energy of construction projects
Joint talks which represent multiple companies along a production chain (Example: Sustainably Forested Lumber Company, Paper Mill, and Paper Manufacturer)
Sustainability efforts within your company that would be transferrable to a campus setting
New technologies that support green building (such as building information modeling)

Proposals to this track will also have to meet the below guidelines:

Session content promoting vendor products and/or services will not be considered. There are opportunities in Exhibitor Show presentations. We do not accept sales pitches or marketing presentations.
The track committee prefers projects which have been successfully proven on a California campus, though that is not a requirement in this track. (Projects that have not yet been demonstrated on a California campus, should be proven in a context where the best practice is transferrable); real world, solution-based case studies.
Companies offering similar products and/or services may be asked to participate on a panel together after proposals are received
Business leaders may present alone or in collaboration with a campus presenter
Speakers presenting in this track will not be given a discounted speaker registration fee; All speakers must register at the full rate
Presentations on specific products or services should be proposed for the Exhibitor Show Presentations Track, not the Green Industry Track.
Presenters in this track will not be allowed to give away products or samples during the presentation or use slogans in their presentation
After speakers are selected, speakers will be expected to submit their PowerPoint Presentations to the track committee for review; this is not required unless you are selected as a speaker
Speakers in this track are not required to be exhibitors or sponsors.

Healthcare
This track will address the unique challenges of implementing sustainability practices into Medical Centers, Hospitals, Out-Patient Clinics, and Student Health Facilities. We are particularly excited to get proposals on:

New construction and renovations of medical centers and clinics
Waste management and recycling within healthcare facilities; Recycling of specialized materials; How to define what materials are “exempt” from zero waste goals?
Pharmaceutical waste
Implementing renewable energy driven generators
Sustainable food in a hospital dining commons
Building collaborations between the Medical Center and the University

This track will not address access to healthcare or personal health.
Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#health
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#medical

Institutionalizing Sustainability and Climate Action Planning
This track seeks proposals on the integration of sustainability into all aspects of campus, the management and structure of sustainability programs, planning processes related to sustainability infrastructure and efforts, and business models designed to make sustainability programs last. This track aims to address the key goals and challenges of a chief sustainability officer, office of sustainability, and/or campus-wide sustainability committee. We encourage proposals that highlight lessons learned as well as successes. Potential topics that this year’s track may address include:

The implementation and financing of Sustainability and Climate Action Plans
Evaluation and reporting of sustainability metrics; Selecting which third party certifications for “Green Campuses” to report to; Improving communication between campuses being evaluated and non-profits evaluating how green a campus is. (Presentations focused entirely on tracking a specific metric such as building energy use should be presented in the energy track. This track seeks proposals on a wider breadth of metrics across divisions of campus)
How to keep a sustainability program moving forward in tough financial times
How to strategically launch a sustainability program from scratch
Overcoming institutional barriers
Communicating sustainability and marketing existing efforts.
Community relations; reaching beyond campus and working collaboratively with local governments
Integration between academic programs and infrastructural/operations/facilities efforts; developing collaborations which benefit both information silos of the campus
Making sustainability part of everyone’s job: inserting sustainability performance goals into all job descriptions and making them a part of performance evaluations

Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#institution
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#institutionalizing

Poster Show
Students, staff, and faculty will have the opportunity to present a poster that will be placed in the exhibitor area and viewed at the opening mixer and throughout Monday and Tuesday. Posters should highlight one or more of the following:

Student or faculty research on sustainability
Case studies of successful projects implemented at a campus

Abstracts will be requested for selection of poster presenters. You will not need to submit a completed poster until after your proposal to present a poster has been accepted. We will not be accepting posters from industry this year, only campuses may submit to the poster show.

Procurement Track
This track is targeted towards purchasing officers, buyers, departmental managers, business services personnel and personnel within academic and administrative departments that purchase goods and services. General topics will include the use sustainability requirements in contracts and Requests for Proposals (RFP) and the development of Purchasing Policies, and outreach programs to influence the purchasing decisions used to establish sustainability criteria for evaluating bids on the campus. We are very interested in proposals that emphasize strategic sourcing and cost savings on goods and services while purchasing environmentally preferable products. Also of interest are proposals that show case campaigns and best practices that have increased the purchase of environmentally preferable products. Specific topics we are interested in this year include:

Energy rating systems and protocols for evaluating laboratory and specialty equipment; Updates in Energy Star© Rating System and the impacts to campus purchasing.
Purchasing elements of LEED® certification and how purchases of goods and services can contribute to a building’s LEED® certification. (General presentations on a LEED EBOM project should be presented in the Green Building Track, we are interested in presentations focused on the Purchasing element.)
How to gather and report on performance metrics both internally and externally related to purchasing so that we can create benchmarks to target goals and build upon.
Case studies of CA campuses using electronic purchasing and settlement systems that can be paperless and drive the purchasing of Environmentally Preferable Products.
Negotiating competitive prices for sustainable product, especially through strategic sourcing, and any examples of savings realized through buying Environmentally Preferable Products.
How departmental purchasing officers and managers can calculate energy and life cycle costs of their purchase. (We are looking for practical projects that take into consideration the limited time of department staff).
Tools or methods to assist buyers and purchasing managers in deciphering green claims
Green Supply Chain Management (including Student education about purchasing processes and considerations).
Questions and requests for information surrounding sustainable business practices that can be used in RFP or RFI documents. This can include arguments that support assigning a higher weight to sustainability when considering quality points for an RFP, how to create green product specifications that are meaningful yet attainable in the marketplace, and criteria to evaluate a company ‘s commitment to sustainable practices.
How to affect behavior change.
Bookstores turning green in product offerings
How to Develop/interpret green policies locally and benchmark those:

Adoption
Implementation
Incentives for implementation of purchasing policies and communication of purchasing policies throughout a campus.

Data collection

Presentations on specific products and services should be made in the Exhibitor Show Presentations. Please do not submit them to this track.

Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#procurement
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#procurement

Research and Curriculum Track
Faculty and researchers play a critical role in achieving campus sustainability. Their research is critical to guide and inform policy making and planning of sustainability programs. This track seeks proposals from faculty that can share research that will be valuable for staff, students, and other faculty who are implementing sustainability programs on the campus.
We also seek proposals on faculty and student-led efforts to ensure that students are graduating with environmental and sustainable literacy and that our alumni are prepared for a green workforce and/or to tackle the growing research questions related to becoming sustainable as a society. Below is a list of some of the many topics we would like to see proposals on:
Research:

Presentations that highlight the connections between primary research, technology, and implementation
Research projects that use the campus as a focus of their study or as a laboratory to test their research
Research that could help guide campus sustainability efforts such as:

Recent research studies on the availability of jobs in the future and the direction(s) the market is taking in terms of sustainability
Urban sustainable planning
Embedded network sensing systems
Economic studies on socially/environmentally responsible investment strategies

Curriculum:

Designing curriculum to prepare students for the green jobs and research fields
Determining what is sustainable literacy; establishing core curriculum or learning objectives to achieve sustainable literacy; and measuring sustainable literacy
Environmental or Sustainable General Education Requirements; how to establish and frame them?
Disciplinary approaches to sustainability (we are hoping to collect proposals from a few distinct disciplines to create an interactive panel of speakers that can discuss the differences in how each discipline approaches the topic)
Inter and trans disciplinary approaches to teaching sustainability
Case studies of technological tools that can be implemented in a classroom to more effectively teach about sustainability (social networking tools, GIS, etc….)
Case studies of partnerships between faculty and staff to design hands-on projects for courses that achieve learning objectives and support staff to achieve campus sustainability goals

Educational Programs and Planning:

Sustainability programs that support articulation from high school to community colleges and community colleges to CSU and UC campuses; how to ensure transfer of credits for sustainability courses and degree programs
PhD programs and emphases related to sustainability
Undergraduate emphases related to sustainability

Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#research
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#curriculum

Social Equity
Sustainability is the integration of social, economic, and environmental issues. This track recognizes that these three components of sustainability are inseparable and yet, the social component is often less fully addressed in campus sustainability policies and programs. This track will highlight best practices related to social equity, as well as explore the challenges campuses face in determining metrics and indicators for social equity. Social equity requires tolerance, acceptance, active participation, respect, affirmation, solidarity, and reflection.

We will highlight campuses that have made strong efforts to develop programs that address issues of social equity. Programs that provide resources and opportunities for underrepresented people and communities to develop as leaders and create their own initiatives are strongly encouraged to apply. Below are examples of some of the specific topics we would like to see proposals on:

How have campuses, divisions of campus, and/or student organizations defined sustainability as a word and a vision? How did you develop that definition and who was involved in developing the definition?
Partnerships between the campus and local low income communities and/or communities of color
Successful outreach and partnership efforts which enable people of color to be leaders in campus sustainability movements
Campus sustainability efforts that have highlighted ways that low income people can make green choices within their financial means
Green workforce development programs that provide critical skills to people that would otherwise not have jobs and/or that help low income people move into middle income status by giving them specialized training in the green economy
Educational programs that focus on environmental Justice and that motivate students to take action on environmental justice issues in their community; Service learning projects where students engage with local low income communities and communities of color
Successful partnerships between organized labor groups and campus sustainability programs
Programs that increase the diversity of students, staff, and faculty on campus and that provide support structures to improve the retention of underrepresented people
Campuses that have successfully or expect to achieve high points according to the Diversity and Affordability components of AASHE’s STARS Rating system
Successful examples of California campuses that have developed committees or policies on Socially Responsible Investing

In this track, we encourage non-profits and community groups that are partnering with a campus to co-present on that partnership.
Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#social
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#economy

Student Affairs Track
The Student Affairs Track seeks projects that will highlight successfully demonstrated sustainability efforts within the student services/student affairs division of campus (for example: Orientation programs, Admissions, Recreation and Sports Departments, Student Government, Counseling and Career Services, and Student Newspapers) and Residential Life. We encourage both student service professionals as well as students to present in this track. All proposals to this track should be relevant to staff, faculty, and students (presentations solely designed for student attendees should be presented at the student convergence).
Potential topic ideas may include:

Methods for motivating student leaders to continue working towards change when sustainability policies may take several years to take from idea to implementation
Developing student leadership and sustainability campaigns in a community college setting with high student turnover and where students spend little time on campus when they are not in class
How to connect academic learning objectives to service programs and internships; measuring the success of internships in terms of learning outcomes
Positive examples of how student service and student affairs professionals can respond to student protests through encouragement and dialogue while also addressing safety concerns?
Best practices of addressing sustainability through Career Services and Transfer Programs
Methods for mentoring and training students on how to collaborate with administrators and build relationships with stakeholders
Use of social networking technologies to advance sustainability and promote dialogue between campuses
Collaborations between student service/student affairs and facilities departments and how student service/student affairs staff advisors can help connect their students with campus stakeholders

We have several other opportunities for students to present at the conference:

Become a keynote speaker, one student will be selected from each of the three higher education systems (California Community College, California State University, and University of California); contact katie.maynard@2010sustconf.org for more information
Propose a talk to any of the tracks; We encourage students to submit projects focused on one of our other topic areas to speak in the same sessions with our faculty and staff presenters
Offer a workshop at the student convergence. The student convergence is a perfect opportunity to present ongoing and upcoming campaigns, skills-based workshops, and/or presentations designed specifically for students.
Apply for a Best Practice Award in Student Energy or Student Sustainability Programs. Awards winners will also get a speaking slot.

Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#student
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#student

Student Convergence
The student convergence is a post-conference event organized by students for other students. The convergence is an excellent place for skill-sharing, spreading awareness, and recruiting for ongoing and upcoming campaigns, and sharing best practices of student-run programs. Presentations during this event are often 30-60min instead of the typical 15min allotted during the main conference.
Please also see the Student Affairs Track Description for a list of other opportunities for students to present.

Transportation
The Sustainable Transportation Track covers all aspects of campus transportation: commuting, transportation demand management, fleet operations, business travel, alternative fuels and vehicles, GHG emissions from transportation, bicycle and pedestrian travel, etc.

The Sustainable Transportation Track is interested in proposals for the 2010 Higher Education Sustainable Campus conference in the following areas:

Alternative fuel infrastructure: plug-in hybrids, hydrogen, CNG etc
Bus Pass programs: how to establish, how to maintain mature programs given transit funding cutbacks, case studies on successful campus/transit district programs
Funding models for transportation programs
Campus transportation integration with regional transportation
State regulations relating to campus transportation
Lobbying effort to integrate more sustainable transportation elements into the Federal surface transportation act
Source 3 GHG emission inventory – commuting and business air travel
Transportation credits in various reporting systems – LEED, STARS etc
Multi-modal circulation planning
Bicycle and pedestrian travel

Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#transport
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#transportation

Waste Reduction and Recycling
The Waste Reduction and Recycling Track is particularly interested in proposals on the following topics, though we are excited to hear about other projects as well:

How to report waste and recycling metrics (to the state, your institution, other institutions)
Collaborations to reduce the amount of non-recyclable material entering the institution, especially as it relates to packaging waste
Case studies of achieving points through LEED Existing Buildings, Operations and Maintenance for waste reduction and recycling (Proposals to this track should be focused on the waste element of LEED; general proposals on a LEED project should only be submitted to the Green Building Operations, Maintenance, and Renovations track)
Recycling of laboratory and other atypical recyclable items
Case studies of zero waste events where waste diversion was tracked (was zero really achieved?) and policies for zero waste events
Funding structures(s), negotiating contracts, and making a business case for solid waste and recycling programs
In-vessel composting systems and funding structures for composting
Waste reduction and recycling components of Climate Action Plans and their implementation (Presentations more generally covering climate action planning, should be submitted to the “Institutionalizing Sustainability and Climate Action Planning Track”, please only submit proposals focused on waste and recycling)
Policies to encourage smart use of paper shredders, recycling and reusing shredded paper, and how to report off-campus recycling of shredded paper.
Student run waste audits and other ways to implement waste audits cheaply
Comparison of student-run, facilities-run, and hybrid recycling systems in terms of effectiveness, sustainability and consistency of the program, and cost effectiveness
Going beyond signage and passive information to educate building occupants about what can and cannot be recycled
Case Studies of Single-Stream Recycling and Sorted Recycling Systems. (We would like to create a panel which represents multiple diverse perspectives on this issue and would like case studies to highlight on the panel.)

We are interested in proposals that focus on waste reduction and recycling. Proposals which have a waste component, but have a broader focus should be submitted to the Institutionalizing Sustainability, Green Building, or Research and Curriculum tracks.

Please also consider applying for a Best Practice Award in Innovative Waste Reduction and Recycling.

Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#waterrr
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#waste

Water
The Water Track focuses on water conservation, water reduction strategies, and behavioral modification programs that have resulted in less water use per capita and decreased overall water use on campus.
General topics could include: partnerships with utility districts; cost-effective water efficiencies for new and renovation projects; water reuse; landscaping alternatives; water use assessments; and programs that change water use perspectives. In particular, we are interested in proposals emphasizing grey and industrial water reuse; water-specific LEED interior and exterior designs, water-use master plans; measurement data; legislative updates; and educational programs.
The target audience includes those who would benefit from learning about approaches, projects, and outreach initiatives for reducing water use—for example, water resource and environmental managers; and facilities maintenance, construction, landscape managers, groundskeepers, and sustainability staff and students.
Past presentations in this track:
2009: http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/track-sessions.php#water
2008: http://sustainability.calpoly.edu/tracks.html#water

Please also consider applying for a Best Practice Award in Water Efficiency and Site Water Quality.