Social Justice & Inclusion
UCSC actively strives to advance different cultural definitions of how to care for environmental spaces and human
During the 2023 - 2024 academic year, the Sustainability Office is undertaking a Just Transition and Equity (JT&E) Analysis as part of the campus-wide Decarbonization and Electrification (D&E) efforts. As of Spring 2024, the Just Transition and Equity Subcommittee has drafted its report and made recommendations to campus leadership. Next steps are currently being discussed and identified. Details about the JT&E efforts below the "Learn More" links.
Learn more:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement of UC Sustainability Offices and Staff
Campus Sustainability Plan - Inclusive Sustainability
People of Color Sustainability Collective
Sustainability & Social Justice People Planet Power Summit
Diversity, Inclusion & Sustainability: What can YOU do as a sustainability professional?
Recommendations to Watch, Listen and Read
About our Just Transition and Equity Analysis
General purpose statement:
The University of California, Santa Cruz is committed to promoting and protecting an environment that values and supports every person in an atmosphere of civility, honesty, cooperation, professionalism and fairness. In February 2023, the UCSC Decarbonization & Electrification (D&E) Task Force began considering applying a Just Transition and Equity (JT&E) lens to its technical study recommendations. As a next step, the D&E Task Force has called for the formation of a JT&E Subcommittee to conduct a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) analysis.
For more information: If you’d like to learn more about the Just Transition and Equity work, please contact ileana Ortega Brunetti at ibrunett@ucsc.edu.
The Just Transition and Equity Analysis:
This analysis helps inform whether UCSC should consider an additional review and partnership with an external consulting firm on this topic as part of its ongoing D&E planning efforts. In this process, the Subcommittee identified the impacts and opportunities of the Task Force’s recommendations for all campus community stakeholders, and noting any potential inequitable impacts and making recommendations to mitigate harm.
The JT&E Subcommittee was co-chaired by the Sustainability Office’s Assistant Director of Sustainability, Equity and Cocurricular Programs and the Director of Physical Plant Services. Membership reflected the campus’ diverse stakeholders, including staff, students, and faculty across multiple disciplines. Other partners included: Physical Planning, Development and Operations; Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services (CHES), Division of and Student Affairs & Success, and UCSC Dining.
The Subcommittee conducted its analysis through inclusive and community-centered approaches, which can include survey instruments to key community members, engagement with the local Santa Cruz community, academic research, and town halls to gain input and feedback. In addition, the JT&E Subcommittee took into account the interconnections between its work and the broader community needs and concerns, such as housing, supply chain standards, and equitable sourcing practices.
As of Spring 2024, the Just Transition and Equity Subcommittee has drafted its report and made recommendations to campus leadership.
The Committee Members and Stakeholders:
Core Committee
- Co-Chair, PPDO, Mike Hanson
- Co-Chair, Sustainability Office, ileana Ortega Brunetti
- Sustainability Office, Elida Erickson
- PPDO Construction and Physical Plant, Tanya Guerrera
- College Housing and Educational Services (CHES), Jim Grove
- UCSC Dining, Bill Prime
- Risk and Safety Services, Stephan Edgar
- UCSC Student, Jude Sullenszino
Stakeholders
- Office of Diversity Equity Inclusion
- PPDO
- Student Affairs
- UCSC Labor Unions & Reps
- CHES
- Dining
- UCSC Faculty
- Office of Research
