Increase Partnership with Valley Universities and Colleges
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Increase Partnership With Valley Universities And Colleges San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Governing Board Study Session October 16-17, 2019 Valley Colleges And Universities • The San Joaquin Valley prides itself on building homegrown and science-driven solutions to the unique issues facing the Valley • Local colleges have been developing their capabilities to help address important Valley issues such as: - Wildfire impacts - Working to identify innovative next-generation technologies - Finding Valley-driven solutions to complex issues • Establishing a strong collaboration with local colleges will be key as the District moves forward with implementing its clean air mission • Staff has initiated discussions with several Valley institutions and the overall feedback has been extremely positive 2 Partnering With Valley Colleges And Universities • The Valley is home to over 30 accredited public and private colleges • Valley colleges serve as an essential role in the region in - Training next generation of leaders - Supporting the future growth of the Valley’s economy - Biggest employers in our region - Supporting agricultural, manufacturing, energy, and other sectors • Community leaders with a stake in building strong communities • Uniquely positioned to conduct high-level research • Many campuses have large fleets, clean up could be beneficial • With over 250,000 students, this population, when coupled with faculty and staff, has the potential to be outstanding ambassadors of the District’s air quality messages 3 Valley Accredited Campuses Fresno Tulare Kings Kern San Joaquin Valley San Joaquin Valley CSU, Fresno SJV College, Bakersfield College, Visalia College, Hanford College of the Sequoias Cerro Coso Community Fresno City College West Hills, Lemoore (COS) College Fresno Pacific University SJV College, Porterville COS, Hanford Bakersfield College Clovis Community College Porterville College Taft College Reedley College COS, Tulare CSU, Bakersfield San Joaquin College of Law San Joaquin Valley (SJV) College West Hills, Coalinga San Joaquin Stanislaus Merced Madera California State University, University of California, Reedley College, Madera Humphreys University Stanislaus Merced Center Reedley College, Oakhurst National University Modesto Junior College Merced College Center University of the Pacific Humphreys University SJV College, Madera San Joaquin Delta SJV College, Modesto Yosemite Community College District 4 Potential Areas of Collaboration With Local Institutions of Higher Education • Joint research that furthers the understanding of Valley air quality issues and development of new clean air technologies • Implementation of clean air fleet enhancements, student transportation practices, and other air friendly measures at Valley colleges and universities • Enhanced air quality education to Valley college students, faculty, administrators and neighboring communities 5 1. Partnering on Air Quality Research • For decades, the District has made substantial investments in supporting and tracking Valley-relevant air quality research to further develop and implement its air quality improvement strategies • Including coordinating over $60 million in pioneering research through San Joaquin Valleywide Air Pollution Study Agency • More common to see air quality research conducted by universities outside of the Valley, with little coordination with the District • By working with local universities, the District can take advantage of the latest science regarding air quality, public health impacts, and emerging clean air technologies • Engaging Valley-based scholars can develop further local interest in the Valley’s unique air quality challenges and solutions 6 2. Partnering to Establish Model Clean Air Educational Institutions • Universities and colleges all working towards implementing sustainability policies – can be leveraged to partner on clean air efforts, including: –Passenger vehicles used to transport staff –Clean shuttle buses used to transport students –Partnerships with local agencies to reduce student transit costs –Encouraging alternative transportation to avoid impacted parking –Electric vehicle charging infrastructure in parking lots –Deployment of zero-emission landscaping equipment –Assist in responding to air quality episodes (e.g. sporting events) 7 3. Partnering to Enhance Air Quality Education • Your Board has placed high priority on robust public education and outreach strategy to enlist support of Valley public • Given importance of Valley universities/colleges in preparing the next generation of leaders, District’s outreach strategy can be tailored to empower students to get involved in air quality issues – Health fairs, environmental events, earth day events, rideshare week activities, bicycling rodeos, job fairs, and other on-campus events – Student led groups such as a green teams, health promotion clubs, commuter organizations, sustainability clubs and/or campus activity councils – Provide guest speakers regarding air quality issues and policy – Assist in development of air quality elements in environmental programs 8.