| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.33 |
| Liaison | Kimberly Post |
| Submission Date | July 18, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Saint Joseph's College - ME
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Kimberly
Post Community-Based Learning Director Community-Based Learning |
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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:
The College works regularly with local municipalities on a number of sustainability-related issues. In the past year, this has included encouraging the shift away from the local reliance on heating oil through the expansion of natural gas service in the area and the introduction of high speed broadband service and public sewage in the region.
Additionally, through the development of its “mission-aligned businesses” in the areas of “sustainable agriculture,” “sustainable hospitality,” and “aging and wellness,” the College expects to have a significant positive impact on the local and regional economy. The economic impact study of the “agriculture cluster” alone suggests that
Saint Joseph’s College’s proposed Institute for Local Food System Innovation will likely have a significant positive economic impact on Cumberland County. The construction phase will stimulate roughly $6.5 million in output, $1.6 million in earnings, and 40 jobs. Once fully operational, ILFIS will support $9.6 million in output, $2.5 million in earnings, and 95 jobs. Together, the total economic impact will be $16.1 million in output, $4.1 million in earnings, and 135 jobs.
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:
Most of the issues listed above are also relevant at the state and regionals levels. For example, the Institute for Local Food System Innovation has as one of its goals helping Maine and New England reach the goal of producing 50% of the food we consume locally by 2060.
Additionally, as a member of the Maine Independent College Association (MICA), Saint Joseph’s College regularly offers testimony to the Maine Legislature for or against bills that are connected to “sustainability” in a variety of ways. Recently this has included support for “solar-friendly” legislation.
In the fall of 2016, Saint Joseph’s College was one of only two institutions of higher education in Maine to voluntarily adopt the still-under-review Department of Labor regulations on overtime pay.
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:
At the national level, the College engages in advocacy through its membership in a variety of organizations, including Second Nature, the Catholic Climate Covenant, and the Association of Catholic College and Universities. The College is a regular signatory of statements and letters on climate change and environmental policy.
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, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
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Optional Fields
The institutional community of all stakeholder's engages in position statements and petitions that are primarily related to local and regional issues that directly impact the College. In the last 3 years the stakeholders at Saint Joseph's College have acted to oppose the reversal of a pipeline to bring tar sands oil from Canada to tankers in Casco Bay, as a spill in the region would have devastating impacts.
President Dlugos, President of the College, has testified to the state legislature regarding issues that would impact the sustainability of the College and other important non-profits.
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:
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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.