LIU Post
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Long Island University's legislative priorities for 2014 include participation in a statewide advocacy effort to establish a Greening and STEM Initiative. This effort recognizes that colleges and universities are natural partners in state efforts to improve energy efficiency and sustainability programs. To help meet state greening goals, we propose that the state work with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to enact a capital matching program to finance projects at public and independent colleges and universities that promote or enhance energy efficiency and conservation or enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education. LIU Post has also advocated in the past few years for similar initiatives, including START-UP NY, a state initiative that seeks to spur economic development and job creation through comprehensive partnerships with the business community. Recently, LIU Post applied to be recognized as a START-UP NY campus and has already partnered with Canrock, a venture capital firm that currently occupies space in the LIU Post library where they engage and build hi-tech businesses. Last year, LIU Post also participated in efforts to seek funding through the NYS Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) to establish a Film Center under the auspices of the LIU Post School of Visual And Performing Arts (SVPA) at the former Grumman property in Bethpage. Some of the funding we sought would have provided for renovations to blighted and underutilized structures at this superfund site. As part of our efforts, we advocated for Cleaner Greener LI, an initiative that led to the publication of the LI Sustainability Plan. Additionally, we continue to advocate for sustainability funding for the NYSERDA initiative under which affordable energy options are available to colleges and universities in New York.