Overall Rating	Gold
Overall Score	66.40
Liaison	Margaret Lo
Submission Date	June 12, 2023

STARS v2.2

Ball State University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	2.00 / 2.00	Emma Legg Director of Governmental Relations Governmental Relations

"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Local advocacy

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:

In alignment with the Ball State University 2019-2024 Strategic Plan (Destination 2040: Our Flight Path), and with the support of the Ball State University President and Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer, the Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning and Management provides expert guidance and support, including sustainability, to the following municipal/local boards and university committees:

Muncie Community Schools Board of Trustees member: Aligns with Ball State University Strategic Imperative 3.A "We advance the k-12 education in the Muncie Community."
https://www.muncie.k12.in.us/leadership/board-of-trustees

Muncie Landbank member: City Council Appointment: (January 2023-2026) Aligns with Ball State University Strategic Imperative 3.D "We take distressed properties and place them back into useful purposes, and on the tax rolls."
https://www.muncielandbank.org/board

Transportation Policy Committee for Delaware County: Vice Chair: Aligns with Ball State University Strategic Imperative 3.D "We plan for and advance policy for public transportation, bike trails, sidewalks, and air quality mitigating projects."
https://www.co.delaware.in.us/department/board.php?structureid=177

Muncie Redevelopment Commission member: Muncie school board appointment: Aligns with Ball State University Strategic Imperative 3.A, B and D "We work on projects that developed areas of Muncie and provide economic stimulus."
https://www.cityofmuncie.com/egov/documents/1617827253_15108.pdf

Village Review Committee: The Village Overlay District Aligns with Ball State University Strategic Imperative 3.C "...the implementation of a long-term, phased plan to enhance quality of place."
https://www.co.delaware.in.us/egov/documents/1363276231_842926.pdf

YMCA Board member (January 2023-2026) Aligns with Ball State University Strategic Imperative 3.A "We work on ways to motivate and encourage our youth to advance their social behavior."

Ball State University Strategic Plan:
https://www.bsu.edu/-/media/www/images/strategicplan/ball-state-university-strategic-plan.pdf?sc_lang=en&hash=79B64A28A62A06D2589B2B3BBDA4CA4E75E9E51E

Regional advocacy

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:

Ball State University actively engages members of the Indiana General Assembly and other government stakeholders to share with them our success using geothermal energy on campus. We proudly emphasize the gratitude we have for the state's investment in this endeavor, and the annual savings we are able to achieve due to this initiative. We've hosted tours of the facility and advocated for more sustainable, renewable, and responsible energy.

Through these efforts, Ball State University has become a model of entrepreneurial operations in being mindful and intentional with state dollars that help our University run efficiently and sustainably. Legislators have recognized our successful use of the geothermal energy and have commended its benefits for the University and our partners.

Additionally, Ball State consistently advocates at the national and state level to keep higher education institutions adequately funded and tuition affordable, clearly articulate financial aid requirements and the calculations associated with it, and provide more funding for scholarships. Examples include SEA 89-2022 and SEA 366-2022 in the Indiana General Assembly.

National advocacy

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:

With the support of the Ball State University President and Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer, the Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning and Management provides expert guidance and support to universities, municipalities, nonprofits and government agencies nationwide to advance environmental and financial sustainability through the use of geothermal energy systems. As one of the original core team members and engineer of the Ball State University geothermal energy system, the nation's largest ground-source, closed-loop district geothermal energy system, Jim Lowe has been a resource for the following universities/colleges, cities, government agencies nonprofits, and media outlets: University of Marquette, Kennesaw State, University of Puget Sound, Washington Post, Saint Meinrad, Indiana University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, American University, University of Virginia, Indiana Conservative Alliance for Energy, UMass, Rocky Mountain Institutes, US Department of Energy, Northern Arizona University, Swarthmore College.

Additionally, Ball State was among many organizations to sign a letter to congress, urging a double increase in the maximum for the Pell Grant. The letter emphasized the impact of increasing Pell, including driving economic recovery, addressing racial and social inequities, and increasing the educational attainment.

International advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:

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Optional Fields

A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):

N/A

None

A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):

N/A

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:

http://www.bsu.edu/sustainability

Additional documentation to support the submission:

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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.