| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.50 |
| Liaison | Amanda Kohn |
| Submission Date | Feb. 13, 2024 |
University of Minnesota, Crookston
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
The University, through its governance bodies, administrators, and parnterships with other entities advocate for sustainability policy through published statements, engagement with elected officials, and other means. Additionally, the University connects local leaders with research and outreach on initiatives and policy guidance conducted by U of M faculty and staff. For example, UMC works with the City of Crookston on the development and operation of the Crookston Campus and Community Connection (also called C4), a group working to enhance the already strong relationship between the campus and the local community. UMN has worked with C4 to submit to submit several grant applications related to decarbonization and other sustainability efforts. The Chancellor has been involved in the review/submission of grant applications. https://crk.umn.edu/university-relations/public-relations
The Office of Sustainability has also hosted interns that worked with the City of Crookston on the Green Step Cities Program. Interns were responsible for starting the program and for getting the city up to a Step 2. This required attending a City Council meeting and presenting recommended policy updates for Council approval. Information here: https://www2.crookston.mn.us/ns/gov/greenstep
The Office of Sustainability has also hosted interns that worked with the City of Crookston on the Green Step Cities Program. Interns were responsible for starting the program and for getting the city up to a Step 2. This required attending a City Council meeting and presenting recommended policy updates for Council approval. Information here: https://www2.crookston.mn.us/ns/gov/greenstep
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
The University, through its governance bodies, administrators, and parnterships with other entities advocate for sustainability policy through published statements, engagement with elected officials, and other means. Additionally, the University connects state leaders with research and outreach on initiatives and policy guidance conducted by U of M faculty and staff. Some recent examples:
- The University contributed to the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change (https://climate.state.mn.us/advisory-council) and in Work Groups (https://climate.state.mn.us/advisory-council) formed to review and advise on the State of Minnesota Climate Framework (https://climate.state.mn.us/minnesotas-climate-action-framework).
- As a member of and in partnership with the Sustainable Growth Coalition (https://environmental-initiative.org/our-work/sustainable-growth-coalition/) the University has testified to the Minnesota House and joined regulatory fillings to advocate for increased deployment of renewable energy (e.g. https://environmental-initiative.org/news-ideas/minnesota-sustainable-growth-coalition-members-share-sustainability-story-with-house-energy-committee/ and https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/edockets/searchDocuments.do?method=showPoup&documentId={4018F876-0000-C618-AE57-FA0043340E49}&documentTitle=20211-169734-01).
- The University contributed to the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change (https://climate.state.mn.us/advisory-council) and in Work Groups (https://climate.state.mn.us/advisory-council) formed to review and advise on the State of Minnesota Climate Framework (https://climate.state.mn.us/minnesotas-climate-action-framework).
- As a member of and in partnership with the Sustainable Growth Coalition (https://environmental-initiative.org/our-work/sustainable-growth-coalition/) the University has testified to the Minnesota House and joined regulatory fillings to advocate for increased deployment of renewable energy (e.g. https://environmental-initiative.org/news-ideas/minnesota-sustainable-growth-coalition-members-share-sustainability-story-with-house-energy-committee/ and https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/edockets/searchDocuments.do?method=showPoup&documentId={4018F876-0000-C618-AE57-FA0043340E49}&documentTitle=20211-169734-01).
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
The University, through its governance bodies, administrators, and parnterships with other entities advocate for sustainability policy through published statements, engagement with elected officials, and other means. Additionally, the University connects national leaders with research and outreach on initiatives and policy guidance conducted by U of M faculty and staff.
UMN has signed on to several of Second Nature's advocacy efforts, including a letter to President Biden advocating that the administration adopt the ambitious and attainable target of cutting our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. Documentation:
https://secondnature.org/wp-content/uploads/NDC-Sign-On-Letter_-Higher-Ed_FINAL2021.pdf
UMN has signed on to several of Second Nature's advocacy efforts, including a letter to President Biden advocating that the administration adopt the ambitious and attainable target of cutting our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. Documentation:
https://secondnature.org/wp-content/uploads/NDC-Sign-On-Letter_-Higher-Ed_FINAL2021.pdf
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
The University of Minnesota has organized a delegation to participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change annual Conference of the Parties.
https://environment.umn.edu/education/susteducation/great-opportunity-for-umn-delegates-to-observe-cop27/
http://environment.umn.edu/education/susteducation/cop26/umn-cop-26-blog/
https://environment.umn.edu/education/susteducation/great-opportunity-for-umn-delegates-to-observe-cop27/
http://environment.umn.edu/education/susteducation/cop26/umn-cop-26-blog/
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
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A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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