Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 56.15
Liaison Rebecca Walker
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Southern Oregon University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Roxane Beigel-Coryell
Sustainability & Recycling Coordinator
Facilities Management & Planning
"---" 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:

Two representatives from Southern Oregon University served on the City of Ashland's Climate and Energy Action Plan Ad Hoc Committee to facilitate the development and adoption of a Climate and Energy Action Plan for the City of Ashland. The Plan includes aggressive goals for the community to reduce GHG emissions by an average of 8% per year, every year. The university representatives of the committee also advocated for the adoption of a city ordinance that would codify the goals outlined in the Climate and Energy Action Plan.

In past years, the university has participated in other legislative issues addressing sustainability within the municipality, including a city ordinance that banned plastic bags and added a ten cent fee to all paper bags.


Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
No

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:
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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:

The President of Southern Oregon University was one of the nearly 200 higher education signatories of the "We Are Still In" statement, pledging our support and intention to move forward with efforts to meet the targets set forth in the Paris Climate Accord. This advocacy and support has impacts both nationally and internationally.

In November 2018, Southern Oregon University's president also signed a letter calling on state and federal elected officials to support carbon pricing policy solutions to climate change.

The beginning of the letter states:

"As leaders of higher education institutions, we call upon our elected representatives to act collectively on behalf of current and future generations by putting a price on carbon. We work to prepare our students for thriving futures, over which climate change casts a dark shadow of uncertainty. Putting a price on carbon pollution is an indispensable step we can take to effectively combat climate change."

More information is available at: https://www.ourclimate.us/higher_ed_initiative


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:

The President of Southern Oregon University was one of the nearly 200 higher education signatories of the "We Are Still In" statement, pledging our support and intention to move forward with efforts to meet the targets set forth in the Paris Climate Accord. This advocacy and support has impacts both nationally and internationally.


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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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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