Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 42.20
Liaison Tracy Harvey
Submission Date Dec. 21, 2023

STARS v2.2

Loyola University Maryland
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Local advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
Loyola has engaged in public policy advocacy at the local level with one example being our advocacy work in opposition of crematorium being placed in a residential neighborhood near our campus. Residents oppose the crematorium and have appealed a circuit court decision upholding the zoning board's approval in a predominantly LMI community of color with existing air pollution issues. Loyola has helped coordinate advocacy events and we have faculty supporting these efforts through an advocacy communications course that helps support organizing and legislative work for this issue.

Regional advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
We joined Maryland Catholics for Our Common Home in 2022 and advocated on behalf of their priority bills which included the following bills:
HB 9 / SB 19: Improving access to public transportation by lower-income Marylanders.
HB 169 / SB 144: Reforming Maryland’s energy efficiency program (the EmPOWER program) for energy consumers to direct more resources to low-income Marylanders.
HB 230 / SB 224: Cleaning up emissions from heavy trucks, which affect low-income communities.
HB 319 / SB 158: Strictly limiting the presence of toxic so-called “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS) in pesticides sold or used in Maryland.
HB 908: Making permanent Maryland’s Community Solar Pilot Program, which dedicates a minimum percentage of solar power to low-income households.
SB 781: Promoting the construction of offshore wind energy farms to deliver clean electricity to Maryland.
HB 1035: improving the EmPOWER program to combat climate change more effectively.

National advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
Loyola staff, faculty, and students, including top administrators like our Vice President of Mission and Identity, attend the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice every year where attendees participate in advocacy opportunities in Washington D.C. asking representatives to publicly support climate legislation that will: 1) dramatically cut U.S. carbon emissions on an aggressive timeline, phase out fossil fuel infrastructure and accelerates a just transition to clean renewable energy, prioritize frontline communities most directly impacted by the effects of climate change, pollution, and resource extraction. This includes support for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All.

International advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
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 

A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
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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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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.