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University of California, Merced

University of California, Merced
Campus Category: 
Four year and graduate institutions under 5,000 student FTE

Contact Information

Kevin
Creed
Director
Environmental Health & Safety
Education and Research:

UC Merced manifests California’s commitment to address multiple sustainability issues in and beyond the San Joaquin Valley. UC Merced’s Strategic Academic Vision reflects this objective, which is “…to serve the people of the region, the state and the world through an uncommon commitment to excellence in education, research and public service.”

A founding goal is to build an integrated research and educational program on ecological systems, energy, water and other natural resources, climate change and security threats associated with global change that will help build a sustainable global environment. The campus has already established two multidisciplinary research institutes focused on this very goal—the Sierra Nevada Research Institute (SNRI) and the UC Merced Energy Research Institute UCMERI.

SNRI faculty, researchers and students conduct basic and applied research on issues of environment, ecosystems and natural resources of California, using the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada as their "outdoor laboratory." SNRI’s mission is to discover and disseminate new knowledge that contributes to sustaining natural resources and promoting social well-being in California and related regions worldwide, through integrated research in the natural, social and engineering sciences.

Additionally, the Yosemite Leadership Program (YLP), an element of the SNRI, strives to be the premier student environmental leadership program in the nation. Within the setting of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, the YLP creates opportunities for students to gain practical leadership experiences through a variety of park-based efforts. YLP graduates are recognized for their ability to lead and make ethical decisions that consider and balance opportunities and challenges, the communities in which they live and work, diversity and the environment.

UCMERI conducts research that leads to new and improved renewable and sustainable alternative energy technologies and examines domestic and global energy policy. More than a dozen UC Merced professors from the Schools of Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts are conducting UCMERI-related research. They are conducting research in non-imaging optics, solar concentration, solar forecasting, energy efficiency and nanotechnology. From innovation to commercialization to job creation, UC Merced’s focus on renewable energy will have a transformative effect on the Central Valley and beyond.

UC Merced/UCMERI faculty are collaborating with faculty at other universities to design a global energy curriculum. This curriculum will educate the energy industry and the next generation of energy scholars and practitioners. Engineering and business students from UC Merced have already participated in a unique, interdisciplinary opportunity to study the implementation of alternative energy in Denmark through a school program organized by UC Merced, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz and Roskilde University in Denmark.

Campus Operations:

UC Merced opened in 2005, with the goal to become an international model for sustainability. In planning the site, the campus has been directly involved in the conservation of more than 26,000 acres of native vernal pool grasslands. The 2009 Long Range Development Plan (LDRP) continues the commitment to plan, design, build and operate the UC Merced campus at ever increasing levels of sustainability. For example, the 2009 Long Range Development Plan establishes a triple zero commitment: zero net energy, zero net waste and zero net emissions footprint by the year 2020.

The Climate Action Plan articulates a vision of climate sustainability for the campus and a path to achieve the Triple Zero Commitment:

  • Save as much energy as is economically feasible;
  • Generate from renewable sources as much energy as is consumed annually;
  • Offset remaining greenhouse gas emissions.

One key component towards Triple Zero is sustainable transportation. This will include:

  • Identify best practices and metrics;
  • Increase participation in alternative transportation programs;
  • Standardize fleet acquisition options for sustainability.

The California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) has pronounced UC Merced, a Climate Action Leader, in response to filing of its voluntary reporting and verification process for 2006.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has certified six of UC Merced’s first seven facilities LEED Gold. Three additional facilities are on track for Gold certification, including the world’s first LEED Gold childcare facility built with modular construction. Consequently, the campus is using 50 percent less energy and 40 percent less water than comparable developments. UC Merced is the first campus in the nation to achieve 10 LEED base points in the USGBC’s Multiple-Building Program. By late 2009, the campus will generate 20 percent of its annual power needs and 60 percent of its peak needs through an on-site third-party photovoltaic solar farm.

UC Merced is at the forefront of sustainable purchasing. Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) considerations are incorporated into the qualitative analysis of competitive bids and contract awards. Campus furnishings, equipment, supplies and services are procured with a cradle-to-cradle focus on environmentally preferable characteristics. UC Merced drove the efforts to have sustainability bid specifications and evaluation criteria incorporated into the UC System-wide Strategic Sourcing.

The UC Merced Recycling Program coordinates the collection and disposal of recyclable materials and other waste on campus, as well as coordinating with local programs and maximizing the amount of refuse that is diverted from our landfill. The program student coordinator and assistants successfully developed and conducted the campus’ first Focus the Nation event. This national four-part event, designed to bring the issue of global warming to the forefront, included a teach-in and political roundtable.
 

Administration and Finance:

UC Merced demonstrates and fosters sustainability leadership within the campus, local community and throughout the Central Valley. The intent is to create leaders and catalyze change in a regionally-centric approach. Partnership programs with the Great Valley Center (GVC), Center for Educational Partnerships, UC Merced Police Mentoring Program, Healthy Air Living and UC Merced Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Regional Network are examples of how UC Merced is jump-starting change to improve the local economy, positively affect local social issues, promote a college-going culture, improve the environment and give a broader understanding of a sustainable community.

With the ultimate goal of creating a sustainable future for the Central Valley, UC Merced and the Great Valley Center formed a strategic partnership to combine the strengths of both institutions. The alliance combines UC Merced's mission to bring the University of California’s tradition of excellence in teaching, research and public service to the Central Valley with the Great Valley Center's mission to promote the region's economic, social and environmental well-being. Likewise, the mission of the SBDC Regional Network is to promote development and growth of small businesses by providing high-quality business assistance throughout central California to enhance regional prosperity.

The UC Merced Police Department partners with local K-12 schools to create a mentor program designed to empower at-risk youth in our community to make positive life choices maximizing their personal potential through community service, outreach and academic opportunities. Currently, the program guides 4th through 8th grade students in learning discipline, respect, responsibility and accountability through the mentorship from successful UC students and caring community members. The program involves two elementary schools and one middle school and has provided campus tours to 330 fourth graders since May 2006, exposing many of these kids to a college environment for the very first time.

This public engagement raises understanding, helps establish the relevance of all aspects of sustainability to community stakeholders and, thus, brings about change. UC Merced faculty, students and staff continue to be actively engaged in community service and support and provide leadership to many local organizations. More than half of the campus’ 100 student clubs and more than 25 percent of all students actively participate in or facilitate community service programs.

UC Merced takes an aggressive effort towards the sustainability of its employees, offering an employee wellness program, plus an effective injury and illness prevention safety program. In particular, an ergonomics program has been successful in preventing repetitive motion/strain injuries associated with computer work as well as back injuries.
 

Please email resources@aashe.org with any suggestions, additions or updates.