Offerings through the Conference and Training Services Unit:
Comments on standard business practices:
We haven’t formally tracked our greening performance, but we produce on average 120 programs per year, and ALL of our conferences/special events/trainings target sustainability strategies. These include: paperless meetings; electronic marketing; websites instead of printed registration brochures; recycled paper and vegetable-based ink (if printing); china instead of plastic; water dispensers instead of water bottles; recycling bins for trash, cans, and paper; mass transit options for travelers; recycling of name badge holders; locally grown and in-season produce in our banquet menus; destinations nearest our target audience; hotels with established greening practices (waste minimization, energy efficiency, water conservation, emissions reduction, etc.).
Fiscal Year 2013/2014Agency / Event / Brief Description / Date / Attendance
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) / Used Oil Recycling/Household Hazardous Waste Conference / A conference to promote sharing of information between CalRecycle staff, local government representatives, recycling and oil collection contractors, and non-profit entities working on used oil recycling programs in California. This forum will provide technical training to refine and update skills while also introducing new and exciting ideas. Visionary plenary sessions including discussions of the impacts of chemicals on our ecosystem and engaging the public’s interest, and three tracks of educational sessions provide plenty of opportunities to learn from each other and be inspired to take action. / October 28-31, 2013
(4 days) / 245 participants
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) / Tire Conference / The purpose of the conference is to promote alternatives to landfill disposal of used and wasted tires, to increase awareness of the California's enforcement policies, and to provide forums for the interactive discussion of solutions to waste tire problems. The conference will provide venues to discuss all aspects of waste tire management, including: hauling; manifests; cleanup; proper disposal; recycling technologies; and research and market development activities. / April 23-24, 2014
(2 days) / 84 participants
Sacramento River Watershed Program / Statewide Watershed Management Forum / A statewide forum joining together stakeholders throughout California involved in the Sacramento River Watershed Program. The Forum will expand upon the topics covered in the local training series: Principles of Watershed Management, Watershed Restoration, and Watershed Monitoring and Adaptive Management. Additional topics include; how to collaborate and share more effectively at all scales; tools and models available and what would be useful to add; tracking performance at a watershed scale; and inclusion of socio-economic metrics in watershed management decision-making. / February 25-27, 2014 / 51 participants
Fiscal Year 2014/2015
Agency / Event / Brief Description / Date / Attendance
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) / Used Oil Recycling/Household Hazardous Waste Conference / See above / April 7-10, 2015
(4 days) / 280 participants
Offerings through the Academic Programs Unit:
Advanced Placement Summer Institute - AP Environmental Science (2013, 2014)
· The AP Environmental Science workshop addresses field biology and ecology, how to engage students in environmental issues, service learning and citizen science utilizing the building, school grounds and local natural areas.
· The course was created in 2002 but was not offered successfully until 2009. Attendance: 18 in 2013, 20 in 2014
Summer Academies – Farm to Fork (2016)
· Students will dig in to unique careers in food and agriculture and learn how they can help create healthy communities. Students will learn where their food comes from, how it lands on their plates, and how to prepare some of the best food this region has to offer.
· Created for 2016 Academies. Attendance to be determined.
Summer Academies – Ecology of Water (2016)
· We have nothing at this point.
· Created for 2016 Academies. Attendance to be determined.
Contract Education - Solar Schoolhouse - Summer Institute for Educators (2013, 2014, 2015)
· Educators will learn about the science and history of heating, cooling and powering our homes with the sun. Participants will build solar cookers, model passive solar homes, solar electric fountains, a solar powered emergency kit, conduct energy audits – and tailor lessons for their classroom situation..
· The course was created in 2004 and offered yearly since. Attendance: 3 in 2013, 3 in 2014 and 6 in 2015 (Attendance for this course is only recorded for students who enrolled in CEUs. Actual number of students in the workshop is unknown.)
Offerings through the Extension Programs Unit:
In the 2008/09 year, CCE offered a Green Facilities Management Certificate Program and a Green Business Operations certificate program. Both programs clearly had an emphasis on sustainability and both programs remain “approved” so they could be offered again. The demand for the courses was minimal at the time and never increased therefor we could not continue to run it. We are hoping that market analysis will show an opportunity for these programs to be offered again in the future.
Note: If it is helpful to the reporting to show growth of program options, we are happy to advertise these programs in 15/16 and run there are enough students to cover the costs of instruction. Perhaps you all might want to consider being guest speakers in the program?
For now, the only public certificate program with an emphasis on sustainability is our meeting and event planning program.
Program description:
· The Meeting and Event Planning program consists of 9 courses totaling 115 hours of instruction.
· The program includes a focus on sustainability. Each component of the program encompasses “green” or sustainable initiatives aimed at maintaining and sustaining our environment, decreasing waste, minimizing carbon footprints, and facilitating a better and healthier living pattern. The program provides current trends and practices for greening events and creating sustainable event products.
· The program had revisions to include sustainability in the curriculum in 2011.
· From July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014 there were 12 courses and 133 enrollments which comes out to about 11 students per class.
· From July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015 there were 6 courses and 81 enrollments which comes out to about 13 students per class.
o NOTE: the number of courses per fiscal year is different because the “tracks/cohorts” crossed fiscal years.
Courses and descriptions:
Introduction to Meeting and Event Management:
This course addresses some of the major trends and successful business practices in meeting and event management. Participants will learn valuable tools to improve day-to-day effectiveness and efficiency as an event manager or marketer. The course explores sustainability and its benefits.
Financial Management for Meetings and Events:
This course covers basic accounting techniques, as well as the principles of managing a comprehensive meeting or event budget. Participants will learn one of the most important components in a successful meeting or event: making sure the budget is both comprehensive and realistic.
Meeting and Event Design and Décor:
This course explores aspects of design in meeting and event management with a focus on green/sustainable design. Participants will learn the fundamentals of design, explore different design options for creating a meeting or event, and learn the basic vocabulary and theories of design.
Meeting and Event Coordination:
This course covers the day-to-day dynamics of coordinating a successful professional meeting or event. Participants will discuss best practices in on-site management, and learn the standard techniques used to coordinate and manage meeting and event planning as well as crisis management. Participants will learn how to conduct a sustainability assessment as well as different sustainable onsite practices and initiatives.
Utilizing Technology in Meeting and Event Planning:
This course provides an understanding of how technology can improve the efficiency and functionality of meeting and event professionals. Participants will be introduced to the latest technologies and software, relevant to meeting and event planning and ways that technology can reduce your event’s carbon footprint.
Food, Beverage and Venue Planning:
This course explores the behind-the-scenes world of event planning from venues to catering. Participants will be exposed to negotiation techniques and critical information on suppliers: the hotel, restaurant, and catering industries. Focus will be on supply chain, transportation and outsourcing. Participants will learn how to make food and beverage sustainable and responsible; common practices and trends in sustainable food and beverage; identify and coordinate special menu requests; and how to manage the food and beverage budget by making sustainable food options affordable.
Risk Management for Meeting and Event Planners:
This course focuses on analyzing and responding to meeting and event management risks and ethical burdens. Participants will examine common legal, physical and ethical challenges that meeting and event planners encounter, and the appropriate responses to said challenges. Special attention will be given to planning around contracts, laws and regulations, insurance, and ethical standards and stances.
Meeting and Event Marketing and Communication:
This course will cover the key tools for advertising and marketing meetings and events. Participants will focus on the principles for strategic communication, marketing, promotion and fundraising plans. This course will develop the creative thinking necessary to create and implement meetings and events that will be appealing while raising significant funds.
Green Event Planning - The Future of Event Professionals:
This course covers hot topics and green trends for the forward thinking event professional. Participants will learn valuable tools to educate clients and navigate sustainable choices in all events, small and large.
Offerings and Activities through our English Language Institute Unit
The English Language Institute (ELI) at California State University, Sacramento offers an excellent education on a safe and friendly campus. Our program is designed for an enriching student experience, balancing academics and cultural immersion opportunities. The students experience intensive language instruction and a variety of cultural experiences. The academic activities most related to sustainability have been the involvement with the One World Initiative on campus which included the following themes:
· Water- 12/13 (obvious link)
· Migration- 13/14 (linkages include resource needs… food, land, energy)
· Happiness- 14/15 (no obvious links, however there are stories noting that students did projects and speeches that included volunteerism to solve global warming brought happiness as did gardening and local farming)
· Power- 15/16 (obvious link
Program Activities:
· Opening event for the One World Calendar is the ELI Symposium, traditionally developed and hosted by ELI instructors for ELI students to present to the campus community via Poster Sessions and Multi-media presentations
· Participate in One World’s end-of-the-year closing Symposium developed and hosted by the One World Initiative
· Incorporate One World’s annual themes into classroom curriculum (i.e. writing prompts, reading topics, listening activities, and presentation topics)
Learning Goals:
· Help ELI students develop communicative and presentation skills
· Make them feel part of the fabric of Sac State by giving them a vehicle to voice individual and cultural perspectives while enriching the campus community with diverse world views
· Provide opportunities to apply the various persuasive techniques and critical thinking skills taught in the ELI classroom
Note: The English Language Institute is always looking for contemporary topics and expert practitioners to share their knowledge. Perhaps you all might want to consider being guest speakers or doing some kind of “sustainability” presentation or activity with the international students.