| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.49 |
| Liaison | Ryan Todd |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2021 |
California State University, Sacramento
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Local advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
Sac State's President, Robert S. Nelsen sits on the Mayor's Climate Commission which works to create a more sustainable Sacramento. Through these efforts, this commission supports public policy that supports reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The commission was responsible for creating Sacramento's Climate Action plan.
Regional advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
The Sustainability and Energy director participated in the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative's planning committee which focuses on advancing environmental policy and legislation throughout the Capital Region.
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.
In addition, specifically, 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.
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.
In addition, specifically, 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.
National advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
In general and at the system wide level, our CSU Chancellor’s Office Advocacy & State Relations staff interact and engage with policy development. Public policy advocacy relating to sustainability initiatives for the CSU system such as, but not limited to, climate literacy, climate resiliency, renewable energy, and sustainable procurement is facilitated through this office. For more information, visit: https://www2.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/government/advocacy-and-state-relations/Pages/default.aspx
Sacramento State has been a signatory of the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment since 2015. Second Nature works to leverage the power of its network to lobby for climate policy at the national level. By signing this commitment, the University has committed to moving toward Climate Neutrality and also is part of a larger effort to advocate for national climate policy.
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.
Sacramento State has been a signatory of the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment since 2015. Second Nature works to leverage the power of its network to lobby for climate policy at the national level. By signing this commitment, the University has committed to moving toward Climate Neutrality and also is part of a larger effort to advocate for national climate policy.
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.
International advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
Sacramento State is an advocate for the We Are Still In declaration. This movement states that Sacramento State will continue to abide by the guidelines set in the Paris Climate Accord.
Optional Fields
Sacramento State encourages its students and alumni to be engaged in the political process. The university has hosted a number of forums on campus and near the state capitol.
Sacramento State has supported undocumented students through the establishment of the Dreamer Resource Center.
Sacramento State has supported undocumented students through the establishment of the Dreamer Resource Center.
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:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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