| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.88 |
| Liaison | Audrey McSain |
| Submission Date | March 20, 2023 |
Lehigh University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.33 / 2.00 |
Audrey
McSain Sustainability Program Manager Office of Sustainability |
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:
Lehigh University was involved in public policy advocacy for the pilot closure of Packer Ave to convert it to a pedestrian promenade. The University engaged the Bethlehem Mayor and advocated for the pedestrian promenade on Packer Ave to both improve the pedestrian experience on campus and for the local community. This policy was put to a vote and approved by the Bethlehem City Council. This advocacy and policy was supported by Lehigh University's senior leadership. This pilot also included input from community members in a public meeting and was done in an effort to advance community sustainability. Although approved, the closure of Packer Ave was delayed due to COVID-19.
Lehigh University has advocated for sustainable legislation and tax credits at several levels of government and has participated in the public dialogue surrounding renewable energy projects on and around the Lehigh campus. This work is ongoing.
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:
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:
Lehigh supports federal legislation that will enable universities to benefit from tax policies and other federal programs aimed at increasing sustainability in the Lehigh Valley and on college campuses nationally, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which included installation incentives for electrical vehicle charging stations and research programs aimed at creating more sustainable sources of energy. Sustainability is a strategic initiative at Lehigh.
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:
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
None.
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.