Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 75.77
Liaison Daryl Pierson
Submission Date March 1, 2022

STARS v2.2

Portland State University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Amanda Wolf
Program + Assessment Coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office
"---" 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:

-PSU advocates for increased alternative transportation modes and has been very successful in bringing improved MAX light rail service to campus and works with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and advocates for alternative transportation modes.

-Staff from PSU sits on the Bicycle Advisory Board, advocating for increased bicycle infrastructure to and from campus and throughout the city

-PSU is involved with they city's efforts to monitor and improve commercial building energy use.

-Staff from PSU sits on the SW Downtown Neighborhood Association and advocates for sustainable development

-The PSU Northwest Economic Research Center conducted and economic analysis comparing the costs and benefits of building deconstruction versus building demolition in Portland. The goal of the this project was to categorize, quantify,and analyze these costs benefits, and impacts in a comprehensive and unbiased manner. Their work informed a 2016 city policy decision to require deconstruction for homes building in 1916 or earlier.

-PSU class is focusing on the issue of sustainable food purchasing in Portland by conducting research and making recommendation for a new climate-friendly purchasing city policy.

-PSU staff sit on the South Park Blocks Master Plan's Technical Advisory Committee and Citizen Advisory Committee

-PSU staff sit on the advisory committee for the Green Loop, a multi-modal transportation route and linear park that would run through the middle of the PSU campus.

-PSU staff sit on the Southwest Corridor Citizen Advisory Committee

-PSU staff sit on the Portland Streetcar board

-PSU staff sit on the City of Portland Adjustments Board


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:

-PSU advocates at the state level for sustainable development, funding for building improvements, and funding for energy efficiency projects on campus.

-ASPSU advocates at the state level for lower tuition and lower fees

-PSU advocated for HB2020 a cap and trade bill proposed in Oregon that will reduce carbon emissions.

-PSU staff sit on the Association of Oregon Recycler's board of directors.

-Portland State participates in the Greater Portland Sustainability Education Network, which is a Regional Center of Expertise for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

-PSU workes with Neighbors for Clean Air and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center to establish Breathe Oregon, to support a robust program of community outreach to residents and policymakers so that they have the information they need to make decisions that improve air quality in Portland and throughout Oregon.

-PSU and the US Geological Survey partner on research opportunities that future explored water supply, water quality, hydrologic hazards, and biological resources across the Pacific Northwest.

-The Center for Lakes and Reservoirs (CLR) at Portland State University (PSU) was established by the Oregon State legislature to address lake management and invasive aquatic species issues in Oregon.


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:

-In 2015, PSU was a founding signatory of Second Nature's Climate Commitment, combining a focus on carbon emissions mitigation and planning for resiliency

-In 2016, President signed a letter to new White House Administration urging continued attention and action on the issue of Climate Change

-PSU has been designated as a sanctuary campus, reaffirming our commitment to our diverse student population including DACA students


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:

President signed a joint letter fall 2016 urging support for the Paris Climate Agreement

PSU is part of the Global Consortium for Sustainability Outcomes advocating for sustainable solutions across the globe.

Portland State participates in the Greater Portland Sustainability Education Network, which is a Regional Center of Expertise for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

-Okanagan Charter - PSU modeled its Healthy Campus Initiative after the Okanagan Charter, an international charter. PSU participates in the Healthy Schools 2020 program, which works with schools to implement healthy campuses.


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

Sanctuary Campus Information and Resources: https://www.pdx.edu/dreamers/


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.