Performing Arts Center Campus Map Giving COVID-19 Update Apply Visit Get Info Toggle search Menu MAIN NAV (SOKA) SUSTAINABILITY About Home About The students, faculty, and staff of SUA work together to create a sustainable campus, in alignment with our mission of creating citizens active in creating global change. MISSION STATEMENT AND PRINCIPLES With the guiding principle: “To foster leaders for the creative coexistence of nature and humanity,” Soka University of America recognizes sustainability as intrinsic to our mission and values. To foster such global citizens living a contributive life, we engage all members of our campus community to incorporate sustainable practices in all areas of university activity, including teaching, research, planning, operations, and student engagement. By utilizing specific measures of success and communicating our achievements, Soka University of America strives to become a role model for sustainable practices and progenitor of future leaders and advocates for sustainability. Soka University of America will: Integrate sustainability within the university’s operations and campus. Develop a comprehensive plan to attain climate neutrality. Maintain its environmental leadership by following recognized third-party standards. Require all new campus construction to be built to at least the US Green Building Council’s LEED Silver standard or the equivalent. Develop policies and programs to reduce and manage hazardous and polluting materials generated by university activities. Practice water conservation and manage runoff and stormwater pollution. Make its environmental policies, plans, and progress reports publicly available. Participate in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Meet or exceed all federal, state, and local safety and environmental laws. HOW WE MAKE SOKA A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS Facilities and Landscape Staff See how the grounds management staff creates and contributes to sustainable practices on campus. Sustainability Groups Meet the people working to promote and engage dialogue and action about sustainability on campus. LEED Buildings Find more information on the LEED Gold Certified Soka Performing Arts Center and adjacent academic building Wangari Maathai Hall. SUSTAINABILITY IN EVERYTHING WE DO Dining Visit the Soka Bistro page to explore our sustainable dining practices. 1 2 3 4 STARS SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT The Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) is a comprehensive sustainability rating system that allows institutions to measure, track, and improve their sustainability performance. SUA completed its first STARS assessment report in 2017 and plans to pursue further advancements through student-led projects, increased outreach, and policy implementation. STARS Report Key factors contributing to SUA’s STARS rating: the sustainability focus of courses and faculty/student research, public engagement activities and community partnership, student involvement in community service, and membership with the Worker Rights Consortium. AWARDS STARS Silver Rating – 2018; Received a Silver rating in the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) program. STARS Bronze Rating – 2017; Received a Bronze rating in the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) program. OC Metro Green Team Award – 2012; Recognized as one of the top 25 green companies in Orange County paving the way and setting industry standards for being greener. Orange County Arts Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Built Environment – 2012 (Performing Arts Center and Maathai Hall); Recognized for an outstanding facility by the community Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification – 2011 (Performing Arts Center and Maathai Hall); Recognized for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings by the US Green Building Council. Annual Campus Sustainability Report [PDF] FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Thank you  to Hunter  Somsen  for his campus energy research, Scott Collins, and Mal Thomas from Facilities Service Partners for providing information and answering these questions. The content was written, complied, and edited by Lauren Ng. If you notice any information to be updated, please email ssu_sustainability@soka.edu. Expand All Collapse All Does Soka  University have a governing body that specifically handles sustainability issues on campus? What is STARS? How does Soka handle  our  recyclable waste (plastics, aluminum,  glass, paper)? How does the cafeteria green waste get composted? Does  it still get composted if the bags of compost are thrown into the wrong dumpster? How much energy do we consume at Soka per year? What is “peak demand” and how does it affect our greenhouse gas emissions? How much energy do the solar panels on top of the Performing Arts Center generate? What is a STEM battery and how does it affect our electrical usage? Why are lights kept on in unoccupied buildings at night? Do  the lights in  residential  hall MPR and living rooms have sensors and/or timers? I noticed that some automatically turn off, while others do not? Why is the lawn sometimes  watered in the afternoon? If we notice an irrigation leak, what should we do? Do we have drought tolerant landscaping? What’s with all the owls on campus? Who can I contact with other questions about sustainability and operations? 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 949-480-4000 info@soka.edu Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Jobs Directory Contact Us Directions Consumer Disclosures Title IX Annual Security and Fire Safety (Clery Act) Report Covid-19 Update © 2021 Soka University All Rights Reserved Site Design by iFactory