| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 51.51 |
| Liaison | Kirk Hemphill |
| Submission Date | Feb. 12, 2024 |
Florida Institute of Technology
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.67 / 2.00 |
Ken
Lindeman Professor, Sustainability Studies Ocean Engineering & Marine Sciences |
"---"
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:
Between 2021 and 2023, through formal classes and student research projects, the university has actively participated with local municipality staff and elected officials to change public policy, particularly through efforts to create and empower city-scale Sustainability Committees and to build first-ever, actionable Sustainability Action plans approved by formal votes of town or city councils.
We focus here on the project titled "Developing the First Sustainability Plan for the Town of Indialantic, FL". In 2022-23, SUS senior research students Emily Flint and Trinity Di Nunzio, for their SUS 3999 and 4000 classes, completed the first formal Sustainability Action Plan as interns with the Sustainable Communities and Resiliency Committee (SCRC) at the Town of Indialantic, Florida. This plan was formally approved by a sitting Town Council vote after presentations by the students, in summer 2023. A brief summary of the work follows. More information is in the attached final research poster for this project.
Objectives:
- Construct a framework for first town sustainability plan with town stakeholders
- Develop a full sustainability plan for Committee and then Town Council approval
In Summary:
The process required more than a year of direct work with the Town Manager, Director of Public Works and the Town Council. The creation of this plan gives the SCRC established goals and parameters that will guide their work in the future. This creates a valuable opportunity for the SCRC and the Town Council now that sustainability priorities within the town have been codified and formally approved. By working with the SCRC, town staff and the citizens, future interns can complete and expand upon these new municipal goals.
We focus here on the project titled "Developing the First Sustainability Plan for the Town of Indialantic, FL". In 2022-23, SUS senior research students Emily Flint and Trinity Di Nunzio, for their SUS 3999 and 4000 classes, completed the first formal Sustainability Action Plan as interns with the Sustainable Communities and Resiliency Committee (SCRC) at the Town of Indialantic, Florida. This plan was formally approved by a sitting Town Council vote after presentations by the students, in summer 2023. A brief summary of the work follows. More information is in the attached final research poster for this project.
Objectives:
- Construct a framework for first town sustainability plan with town stakeholders
- Develop a full sustainability plan for Committee and then Town Council approval
In Summary:
The process required more than a year of direct work with the Town Manager, Director of Public Works and the Town Council. The creation of this plan gives the SCRC established goals and parameters that will guide their work in the future. This creates a valuable opportunity for the SCRC and the Town Council now that sustainability priorities within the town have been codified and formally approved. By working with the SCRC, town staff and the citizens, future interns can complete and expand upon these new municipal goals.
Regional advocacy
No
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
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National advocacy
No
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
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International advocacy
No
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
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Optional Fields
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None
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
---
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
For this example, we focused on the student/faculty development of a first ever SUS Acton Plan and eventual Town Council approval. This was for a formal FIT senior research project in AY 2022-23.
Similar projects/activities occurred in several other local Space Coast municipalities between 2021-2023.
Similar projects/activities occurred in several other local Space Coast municipalities between 2021-2023.
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.