| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.09 |
| Liaison | Matthew Liesch |
| Submission Date | Oct. 15, 2020 |
Central Michigan University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Eric
Urbaniak Student Reviewer OID |
"---"
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:
Central Michigan University recently formalized it partnership with the Mt. Pleasant Citizens Climate Lobby (MPCCL) through hosting the Mt. Pleasant and CMU Climate Solutions Summit. This was a virtual conference planned by representatives from the MPCCL and CMU, and was hosted out of the CMU Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Through supporting the work of the MPCCL, CMU is advocating for the advancement and promotion of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. This act is currently in the US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce awaiting further consideration.
The mission of the MPCCL is as follows: "We exist to create the political will for climate solutions by enabling individual breakthroughs in the exercise of personal and political power." CMU has promoted and furthered the mission of this organization through hosting the Climate Solutions Summit, hiring the keynote speaker, and rallying widespread support through student and community organizations.
The following is the website of the Mt. Pleasant Citizens Climate Lobby. This website contains the legislative objectives, meeting minutes, and information on past, current and future events such as the Climate Solutions Summit.
https://mtpleasantcitizensclimatelobby.org/ccls-mission/
The mission of the MPCCL is as follows: "We exist to create the political will for climate solutions by enabling individual breakthroughs in the exercise of personal and political power." CMU has promoted and furthered the mission of this organization through hosting the Climate Solutions Summit, hiring the keynote speaker, and rallying widespread support through student and community organizations.
The following is the website of the Mt. Pleasant Citizens Climate Lobby. This website contains the legislative objectives, meeting minutes, and information on past, current and future events such as the Climate Solutions Summit.
https://mtpleasantcitizensclimatelobby.org/ccls-mission/
Regional advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
CMU is a part of the Michigan Recycling Coalition, which engages in public policy on a regional and state level. The MRC's agenda is described below:
The Michigan Recycling Coalition employs the expertise of its Board of Directors and members to take positions on policy issues important to the growth and development of the recycling industry in Michigan.
Open Burning
"Open burning" refers to the act of burning waste materials in a container where smoke is able to be released into the air without passing through a filtering system, like a chimney, first. The chemicals and substances that are released into the air during this process are often dangerous and toxic. Improper burning poses a fire hazard and can cause health problems. The MRC takes a stand against open burning. More information about open burning is available on the Michigan DEQ website.
Yard Waste Ban Exemptions
Michigan law rightly bans disposal of yard debris in Michigan landfills. The Michigan Recycling Coalition is fully supportive of this policy. Through the Policy Resolution the MRC formally opposes exemptions to Michigan's Yard Waste Ban that seek to increase the disposal of organic yard debris in landfills. The MRC Policy Statement identifies the many reasons yard debris does not belong in Michigan landfills.
Electronics Recovery & Recycling
As our use and dependence upon electronic communication tools increases, so does the need to capture those resources for recycling. In 2008, the Michigan legislature passed a law that requires manufacturers and distributers to provide free, convenient recycling opportunities for their products. Michigan's Electronic Waste Tackback Program has jump-started electronic recovery but many electronics remain stored in basements and sent to the landfill. The Michigan Recycling Coalition, through member and stakeholder dialogue, developed a set of recommendations, aimed at improving the program and ultimately collecting more end-of-life electronics for reuse and recycling.
Anti-Scavenging
As recycled commodities become more valuable in the marketplace the scavenging of those materials also increases. Recycling service providers need protection from theft and the Michigan Recycling Coalition developed this policy statement to bring attention and action to the issue.
Product Stewardship
The growing product stewardship movement in the United States seeks to ensure that those who design, manufacture, sell, and use consumer products take responsibility for reducing negative impacts to the economy, environment, public health, and worker safety. These impacts can occur throughout the lifecycle of a product and its packaging, and are associated with energy and materials consumption; waste generation; toxic substances; greenhouse gases; and other air and water emissions. In a product stewardship approach, manufacturers that design products and specify packaging have the greatest ability, and therefore greatest responsibility, to reduce these impacts by attempting to incorporate the full lifecycle costs into the cost of doing business. The MRC Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of this movement.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition employs the expertise of its Board of Directors and members to take positions on policy issues important to the growth and development of the recycling industry in Michigan.
Open Burning
"Open burning" refers to the act of burning waste materials in a container where smoke is able to be released into the air without passing through a filtering system, like a chimney, first. The chemicals and substances that are released into the air during this process are often dangerous and toxic. Improper burning poses a fire hazard and can cause health problems. The MRC takes a stand against open burning. More information about open burning is available on the Michigan DEQ website.
Yard Waste Ban Exemptions
Michigan law rightly bans disposal of yard debris in Michigan landfills. The Michigan Recycling Coalition is fully supportive of this policy. Through the Policy Resolution the MRC formally opposes exemptions to Michigan's Yard Waste Ban that seek to increase the disposal of organic yard debris in landfills. The MRC Policy Statement identifies the many reasons yard debris does not belong in Michigan landfills.
Electronics Recovery & Recycling
As our use and dependence upon electronic communication tools increases, so does the need to capture those resources for recycling. In 2008, the Michigan legislature passed a law that requires manufacturers and distributers to provide free, convenient recycling opportunities for their products. Michigan's Electronic Waste Tackback Program has jump-started electronic recovery but many electronics remain stored in basements and sent to the landfill. The Michigan Recycling Coalition, through member and stakeholder dialogue, developed a set of recommendations, aimed at improving the program and ultimately collecting more end-of-life electronics for reuse and recycling.
Anti-Scavenging
As recycled commodities become more valuable in the marketplace the scavenging of those materials also increases. Recycling service providers need protection from theft and the Michigan Recycling Coalition developed this policy statement to bring attention and action to the issue.
Product Stewardship
The growing product stewardship movement in the United States seeks to ensure that those who design, manufacture, sell, and use consumer products take responsibility for reducing negative impacts to the economy, environment, public health, and worker safety. These impacts can occur throughout the lifecycle of a product and its packaging, and are associated with energy and materials consumption; waste generation; toxic substances; greenhouse gases; and other air and water emissions. In a product stewardship approach, manufacturers that design products and specify packaging have the greatest ability, and therefore greatest responsibility, to reduce these impacts by attempting to incorporate the full lifecycle costs into the cost of doing business. The MRC Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of this movement.
National advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
Central Michigan University is a member of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU). Through its membership, CMU supports the initiatives and advocacy efforts of the APLU in relation to sustainability. This includes advocating for the Board on Natural Resources, and the Board on Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climate, both of which "advocate for reauthorization of relevant programs such as the National Sea Grant College Program or the Water Resources Research Act."
https://www.aplu.org/policy-and-advocacy/agriculture-and-natural-resources/
Additionally, CMU was selected as a member of the IChange Network in the Aspire Alliance of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, funded by the National Science Foundation. As stated on the CMU website, "The APLU and the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) "aim to increase the learning, persistence, and completion of students from underrepresented groups (URG) in colleges and universities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by pursuing three...strategic goals:
1. Deepen the preparation of all STEM faculty to be inclusive and effective in their undergraduate teaching research mentoring, and advising;
2. Diversify the faculty through effective recruitment, hiring, and retention of URG STEM faculty via institutional transformation in practices, policies, and resources;
3. Foster institutional cultures that recognize and value inclusivity and diversity broadly, and in the context of STEM faculty work specifically."
https://www.cmich.edu/diversity/OID/Pages/Aspire-Alliance-Institutional-Change.aspx
https://www.aplu.org/policy-and-advocacy/agriculture-and-natural-resources/
Additionally, CMU was selected as a member of the IChange Network in the Aspire Alliance of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, funded by the National Science Foundation. As stated on the CMU website, "The APLU and the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) "aim to increase the learning, persistence, and completion of students from underrepresented groups (URG) in colleges and universities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by pursuing three...strategic goals:
1. Deepen the preparation of all STEM faculty to be inclusive and effective in their undergraduate teaching research mentoring, and advising;
2. Diversify the faculty through effective recruitment, hiring, and retention of URG STEM faculty via institutional transformation in practices, policies, and resources;
3. Foster institutional cultures that recognize and value inclusivity and diversity broadly, and in the context of STEM faculty work specifically."
https://www.cmich.edu/diversity/OID/Pages/Aspire-Alliance-Institutional-Change.aspx
International advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
The Central Michigan University Center for International Ethics has explicitly demonstrated its support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. In the fall of 2020, Director Hope May with student Michael Buzzy designed a nuclear tour in which students are taken through an academic building with educational posters and displays in relation to the Treaty. This is to raise awareness for the Treaty, and celebrate its signing on September 20th, 2020. The tour will continue throughout the spring as the Treaty goes into effect on January 22, 2021.
Optional Fields
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None
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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