| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 32.46 |
| Liaison | Feng Teter |
| Submission Date | Aug. 7, 2020 |
California State University, Fresno
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Beth
Weinman Associate Professor Earth and Environmental Sciences |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
The California State University (CSU) participates in public policy through open dialogue with the State Relations & Advocacy Office which advocates through lobbying efforts on behalf of the CSU system. The CSU’s Advocacy and State Relations (ASR) team monitors all sustainability legislation that impacts the CSU specifically. It also participates in state-wide advocacy on issues, such as climate change policy, energy efficiency, water resources and other utility issues that impact the operation and physical facilities. ASR and the Chancellor’s Office also work with the Governor’s Offices and are members of the Direct Access Customer Coalition (DACC) and the Alliance for Retail Markets advocacy groups to advocate for the best interest of the CSU on energy and sustainability efforts.
The CSU provides public comment, meets with legislative staff, and testifies at budget subcommittee hearings in order to express CSU support for regulatory initiatives and activities related to carbon emission reductions and climate resiliency.
The CSU’s advocacy, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, work to ensure diverse stakeholders are represented and considered in decision-making processes.
The California State University Board of Trustees (BOT) took a supportive stance in 2019 for Senate Bill 354: California DREAM Loan Program - graduate degree programs. If approved, this bill will expand opportunities for underrepresented students to access professional and graduate degree programs. The bill summary states, "Existing law establishes the California DREAM Loan Program, which provides a student attending a participating campus of the University of California or California State University with a loan, referred to as a DREAM loan, if the student satisfies specified requirements, including a requirement that the student be exempt from paying nonresident tuition or meet equivalent requirements adopted by the regents, and that the student is enrolled in an “instructional program,” defined as a program of study that results in the award of a baccalaureate degree or undergraduate certificate, or undergraduate coursework in a program of study leading directly to a first professional degree for which no baccalaureate degree or undergraduate degree is awarded. This bill would, commencing with the 2020–21 academic year, expand DREAM loan eligibility to a student who is enrolled in a program of study leading to a professional or graduate degree, including, but not limited to, a teaching credential, if the student meets the other applicable qualifications. This bill would require the participating institution to determine the proportion of program funding used for instructional programs and for graduate programs. The bill would require that priority under this program be given to loans for instructional programs.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
Students work with Citizens Climate Lobby to promote HR 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019, which proposes a tax on carbon as a solution to combat the effects of climate change. Fresno State's Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) wrote a resolution in support of the bill, signaling the importance and necessity for innovative climate solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2017, the CSU signed the We Are Still In pledge and coalition of over 1,400 cities, states, businesses and universities who are standing together to maintain U.S. leadership on climate change and clean energy and the system maintains their membership in this advocacy group today. For more information, please visit: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/CSU-Statement-on-Joining-%E2%80%98We-Are-Still-In%E2%80%99-Climate-Declaration.aspx
In addition, the CSU Office of the Chancellor staff and administrators contribute public comments and legislative bill analysis on behalf of CSU.
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:
In 2017, CSU Chancellor Timothy White and the Presidents of all 23 CSU campuses (this includes Fresno's President Joseph I. Castro) wrote a statement standing in solidarity with international students. See Chancellor White's statement here: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/CSU-Statement-on-President-Trump%27s-Executive-Order.aspx
President Castro relayed the statement above to the Fresno State community saying, "I want to underscore to the Fresno State campus community that we offer our unwavering support to the students here who are from countries around the world, including countries subject to the President's [Trump's] actions. We also note the significant uncertainty affecting our Muslim student, faculty and staff populations. We stand steadfast in supporting them and each Fresno State community member." President Castro finishes by saying, "Please be assured that Fresno State remains committed to our mission - To boldly educate and empower students for success – and our core value of diversity, inclusion and respect for all."
In 2020, Fresno State's ASI wrote a resolution in support of keeping international students in the United States during virtual semesters (see file: "7.10.20 International Students Resolution").
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
During 2017 and 2018, the CSU took a clear and public position to support and lobby for the protection of DACA students (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Specifically, the CSU offers free legal support services (https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/resources-for-undocumented-students/Pages/legal-support-services.aspx) throughout the system, and additionally, all 23 CSU campuses offer resources to support (https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/resources-for-undocumented-students/Pages/campus-support.aspx) undocumented students.
Chancellor Timothy White said in February 2018: “As I have stated repeatedly since before last September, providing those with DACA status a clear path for the future – to complete their education and build their careers – is indeed a wise decision for California and our nation. I continue to call on federal policymakers to stand up for our shared American values of inclusivity, opportunity and excellence – regardless of background or birthplace.”
Read more at: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/Chancellor-White-Statement-on-DACA-February-26-2018.aspx
Furthermore, the CSU routinely supports and opposes legislation on matters related to higher education.
Read more at: https://www2.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/government/advocacy-and-state-relations/Pages/default.aspx
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
As a publicly funded institution, this is not applicable.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.