Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 63.22
Liaison Jody Jones
Submission Date Oct. 17, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Mount Royal University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

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

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, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
Mount Royal is a supporting member of the Post-Secondary Community of Practice and has engaged in Waste Diversion for Businesses & Organizations process development with the City of Calgary. Recycling Bylaw for business and organizations: The City of Calgary hosted Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Working Group Meetings throughout 2016/2017 which Mount Royal took part in. This working group was established in response to the ICI sectors request for an active task group to be included in the ICI Waste Diversion Program implementation. The ICI Waste Diversion Program supports the reduction of ICI waste going to landfill by 75%. Calgary Wetland Management has been an ongoing area of engagement for Mount Royal professor Felix Nwaishi. Including work on the Calgary wetlands conservation plan through the municipal government.

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, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
Mount Royal University engages in public policy in the Province both by participating in media interviews and news stories as well as formal protests for some issues. Faculty of Mount Royal are often quoted in the news discussing Alberta's public policies. In 2017, a Mount Royal University faculty member signed a letter urging the Alberta Government to continue the plan to phase out OHV use in the Castle area Provincial Parks. Through 2016-2017 professors in the Bissett School of Business, Policy Studies, and Environmental Science were interviewed in multiple forms to discuss Alberta's Climate Plan as well as the Carbon Tax policies. Faculty engagement on Climate Policy lead to a round table discussion between Environment Minister Shannon Phillips and faculty, staff, and students. The discussion focused on the implementation of the Climate leadership Plan and concerns of the Mount Royal Community. Mount Royal University staff, students, and faculty participated in protests regarding budget cuts to education. Mount Royal University staff, students, and faculty also take part annually in the Calgary Pride Parade to support and promote the rights of the LGBTQ2+ community.

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, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
In 2017, Mount Royal University partnered with post-secondary institutions across Canada to take a comprehensive look at the issue of excessive drinking on campuses. Alcohol is a serious public health issue that impacts students across Canada. Collaboration on this important issue hopes to achieve campuses free of alcohol harms. This collaboration also aims to contribute to the national conversation on alcohol use and harms in Canada's youth. Dr. Van der Byl the director of the Institute for Environmental Sustainability engages in national sustainability policy advocacy through her role on the Environmental Assessment Advisory Group on Trade Agreement with Global Affairs Canada. This position includes directing policy makers on the impacts of trade agreements such as the new United States, Mexico, Canada, Trade Agreement.

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

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
In 2017, members from Mount Royal University's Conservatory, Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension and Languages Institute traveled to China to promote and attract International students to Mount Royal University. The institutional strategic plan has clear goals around increasing our international focus. Mount Royal University supports Express Entry for International Students as well as gives current international students information about remaining in Canada after graduation. Mount Royal University aims to assist International students with Immigration matters to help navigate and achieve goals of international student success. Later in June 2017, Mount Royal's president, David Docherty visited China to further these efforts. Further, Leah Hamilton continues to engage both provincial and national politicians and policy makers on the issue of immigration.

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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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Across municipal, provincial, national, and international policy advocacy, faculty are the main conduit for public policy engagement. Mount Royal University administration encourages faculty to engage in policy advocacy connected to their fields of expertise. Further, administration supports the ongoing relationships built between faculty and policy makers to advance institutional policy concerns.

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.